The recent article “Doyle proposes transit legislation” quotes the CEO of Bucyrus Erie as saying he wants to add 500 jobs in South Milwaukee but is concerned how workers will get to the plant. Is he serious? How do they get there now? I’d guess they drive pick-up trucks. These guys are tough; they forge teeth for dragline buckets the size of a garage. You won’t see them on a commuter train.

Kenosha’s Nash Motors was right on the old North Shore Line. Trains ran hourly, more frequently than the proposed KRM line. Even during the dark days of World War II, when thousands worked there and we had tire and gas rationing, I don’t recall anyone who came by train. It wouldn’t work; you had to be there when the whistle blew to start your shift.

Wispark in Pleasant Prairie claims 5,000 jobs since it was built right on two main rail lines. Was an Amtrak stop suggested to get workers to jobs?

Finally, the day Bucyrus announces they have 500 jobs open, thousands will find a way to get there. If by some miracle KRM rail existed and workers rode it, I’d bet they would use their first paycheck to buy a pick-up and quit riding the train.

John Valaske

Kenosha