JOHNSTOWN, CAMBRIA COUNTY - Dozens of people come out to try and keep train services going in Central Pennsylvania.
The group Western Pennsylvanian's for Passenger Rail estimates that 23 thousand people get on or off the train in Johnstown every year. That's more than the population of that city. They also say the city is in danger of losing that service.
Valerie Sutton's mother was waiting for her when she got off the train in Johnstown Monday night. She's home for Christmas. She came in on the train from Boston. For her traveling by train means comfort she can do work, send emails, or just watch a movie.
For Robert Cernansky it's a necessity. He's partially blind so he can't drive and flying is uncomfortable because he walks with a cane. He says without the train service he would have no way to get out of the city.
The President for Western Pennsylvanian's for Passenger Rail told the crowd to keep up service in Pennsylvania the state has to start paying seven million dollars to Amtrak next year. Its part of a law passed in 2008. But that money hasn't been allocated to the program yet. Michael Alexander wants people to push their lawmakers to allocate the money to keep this public transportation going.
And he didn't need to convince Robert and Valerie. Robert says it is the best way to travel around the country and Valerie says she wouldn't travel any other way.
This rally was held Monday night in Johnstown. But if the train run goes away, it could affect folks at the Altoona station and anyone who gets on or off a train between Pittsburgh and New York.
The group Western Pennsylvanian's for Passenger Rail estimates that 23 thousand people get on or off the train in Johnstown every year. That's more than the population of that city. They also say the city is in danger of losing that service.
Valerie Sutton's mother was waiting for her when she got off the train in Johnstown Monday night. She's home for Christmas. She came in on the train from Boston. For her traveling by train means comfort she can do work, send emails, or just watch a movie.
For Robert Cernansky it's a necessity. He's partially blind so he can't drive and flying is uncomfortable because he walks with a cane. He says without the train service he would have no way to get out of the city.
The President for Western Pennsylvanian's for Passenger Rail told the crowd to keep up service in Pennsylvania the state has to start paying seven million dollars to Amtrak next year. Its part of a law passed in 2008. But that money hasn't been allocated to the program yet. Michael Alexander wants people to push their lawmakers to allocate the money to keep this public transportation going.
And he didn't need to convince Robert and Valerie. Robert says it is the best way to travel around the country and Valerie says she wouldn't travel any other way.
This rally was held Monday night in Johnstown. But if the train run goes away, it could affect folks at the Altoona station and anyone who gets on or off a train between Pittsburgh and New York.
