CARBONDALE - Should the governor make good on his threat to cut Illinois' Amtrak service, the only train left passing through Carbondale would be the one arriving and leaving before the sun rises, says the state director of the nation's largest railroad union.

Joe Szabo of the United Transportation Union said the $28 million subsidy being threatened by Gov. Rod Blagojevich would wipe out all but the City of New Orleans train, part of the Amtrak National Network, which is not reliant on state funding.

The train's departure and arrival times at the Carbondale station on South Illinois Avenue often fall between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. It also is the most expensive of the three trains that currently make stops locally, according to the Amtrak Web site.

Szabo said it is shocking the governor is even threatening passenger rail service because of the record ridership Amtrak has seen in the two years the state increased its subsidy to the service.

"The growth in Illinois has been unprecedented," he said. "Frankly, what we have done in Illinois the past two years is become the poster child of success that all other states have followed."

Many travelers headed to Chicago on Wednesday afternoon were surprised by the governor's plan, which they said would affect their plans to travel throughout the state in the future.

Jim Matranga of Johnston City is originally from Chicago and tries to go back often to visit family and friends. When he goes, he takes the train because it's cheaper than driving.

Cutting back on the trains would make it harder for him to get up to Chicago, Matranga said, and he probably wouldn't go as often.

Marci Ferguson of Chicago said she makes the trip to and from Southern Illinois because of medical reasons. With gas prices so high, it would be too expensive for her to drive.

Unless the governor can do something to guarantee prices are lower, she said, cutting the trains doesn't seem like a good option.

"As of now, it seems ridiculous," Ferguson said.

Others in the area are worried about the possible effect cutting back on the trains could have for Southern Illinois University Carbondale students, who rely heavily on Amtrak for travel to and from Chicago.

Marion Mayor Bob Butler said cutting back on the trains could have a negative effect on the university, which would hurt both Carbondale and Marion.

"Amtrak service between Carbondale and Chicago is important and to cut it by two-thirds could be devastating," he said.

"Somebody is not thinking ahead as to what's best for the area."

- Codell Rodriguez contributed to this report.

laura.chapman@thesouthern.com

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