South Dakota Residents Rally For Return to Passenger Rail Service

All aboard!

There's a push within the state right now to get Amtrak passenger rail service in South Dakota.

This movement has sparked a train trek across South Dakota to better educate those interested in bringing a passenger rail service back to the state.

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South Dakota has been without any kind of passenger rail service since 1969. Thus, the reason there is such a big push happening at the moment for Amtrak to establish routes within the state.

As Dakota News Now reports, All Aboard Northwest recently launched its "Train Trek" to help explain the recommendations being put forth by the Federal Railroad Administration, which recently conducted a long-distance service study about passenger rail service needs for South Dakota.

During the scheduled Train Trek across the state, a series of presentations is being made in various South Dakota communities to encourage those interested to get more involved in the effort to help make passenger rail service a reality here in the Rushmore State.

According to Dakota News Now, the findings of the FRA's study are final, and now the future of passenger rail service in South Dakota rests in the hands of Congress. Transportation funding is happening now on a federal level, which is why these in-person discussions are so vital, to help ensure South Dakota doesn't get left out in the cold when it comes to transportation funding being allocated.

All Aboard Northwest hopes to get South Dakota residents on track to notify their Congressional delegation to let them know just how strongly they believe in this Amtrak initiative.

A total of five "Train Trek" presentations have been scheduled.

According to Dakota News Now, the first one occurred in Sioux Falls on Monday night, June 23.

The second one is slated to happen on Tuesday, June 24, during the Lincoln County Board of County Commissioners Meeting.

Subsequent "Train Trek" meetings will take place on Wednesday, June 25, in Fort Pierre.

With the final two meetings scheduled for Thursday, June 26, at the Wall Grand Hall at 3:30 PM, and in Rapid City at The Hive at 512 Main Street beginning at 6:00 PM.

Source: Dakota News Now

14 Things South Dakotans Hate About South Dakota

If you're a west-river resident you may turn your nose up at east-river life. And east-river folks may look down their noses at their western brothers and sisters.

But, in the end, we are all South Dakotans.

Bound by our unique place in the world. We are the mountains (kinda) and the plains, urban and rural, and often hot and cold; all at the same time. This is our weird state and we love it.

But, even though we all love our state, there is room to complain. Here is a list of 19 things that real South Dakotans say they hate about South Dakota (it's all just for fun).

Gallery Credit: Ben Kuhns

Filed Under: South Dakota