Surprise! Elk Grove Makes Moves to Provide Amtrak Depot

On of the numerous criticisms of sprawling suburbs like Elk Grove has been they are pro-car and on a certain level they possess a strong anti-mass transportation sentiment.

Typically this suburban anti-mass transit sentiment has been born of the idea that mass transit equates to low income groups which equates to lower property values which leads to crime. There has also been a lingering doubt that suburbanites fund these projects for the benefit of others.

While this sentiment held true for decades, it took one summer of high gas prices for many suburbanites commuters to realize that ‘Hey, taking the bus isn’t so bad after all.’ In fact bus commuting became so popular, may of Elk Grove’s e-Tran bus routes were running above capacity.

Although it would seem the City of Elk Grove’s proposed Amtrak Depot on Elk Grove-Florin Road between Sheldon Road and Bond Road was in reaction to the 2008 gas spike, it is something that has been in the city’s plans for several years.

While the Amtrak platform may not directly address some of the immediate transit needs for Elk Grove workers commuting to downtown, it is a good example of how forward thinking and planning can make Elk Grove less car depended in the near future.

A public meeting covering the project will be held on Tuesday, February 23 from 5:30 to 7:00 PM in the city council chambers at the Elk Grove City Hall.