Indiana lone holdout in long-term deal for Amtrak lines

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - A long-term deal to keep an Amtrak passenger line running between Indianapolis and Chicago is still in the works nearly a year and a half after a congressional deadline.

The Hoosier State runs four days a week between the cities and is Amtrak's least-traveled line. It's also Amtrak's only short-haul route without long-term funding after Congress shifted most of those lines' costs to the states.

Congress required states to pick up 85 percent of the costs of Amtrak routes under 750 miles by October 2013. Amtrak pays the rest.

The change affected 19 states. All but Indiana have found funding solutions.

Indiana and seven partners agreed to pay Amtrak $2.7 million to keep the Hoosier State line rolling for one year, but negotiations on a long-term deal are continuing.