Indiana to end Indianapolis-to-Chicago Amtrak line in April

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – The Indiana Department of Transportation says an Amtrak line that runs four days a week between Indianapolis and Chicago will cease operations next month.

INDOT said Friday the Hoosier State line’s last day of service will be April 1.

Indiana had been negotiating with Amtrak and a private suitor that wanted to take over the line’s operations. The Hoosier State was one of 28 Amtrak routes of less than 750 miles affected by Congress’ move to shift most of the costs of those lines to states.

INDOT says the move follows new Federal Railroad Administration rules that would have deemed Indiana a rail carrier despite not owning any tracks or trains. INDOT says that would expose the state “to significant increases in cost, paperwork and liability.”