Chapter Trans 31

RAIL PASSENGER EXCURSIONS ON STATE-OWNED RAIL LINES

Trans 31.01   Purpose and applicability.

Trans 31.02   Definitions.

Trans 31.03   Permit requirement and application.

Trans 31.04   Contents of an application.

Trans 31.05   Sponsorship.

Trans 31.06   Advertising prior to receipt of a permit.

Trans 31.07   Sanctions.

Trans 31.08   Audit and inspection.

Trans 31.01 Trans 31.01 Purpose and applicability. This chapter prescribes policies and procedures relating to applications for authority to operate rail passenger excursion trains on state-owned railroad lines. It also describes the procedures for requesting a permit to operate rail passenger excursion trains on state-owned railroad lines. This chapter does not apply to the operation of any railroad passenger train operated under STB authority or direction nor to the operation of customer specials by an operator.

Trans 31.01 History History: Cr. Register, June, 1995, No. 474, eff. 7-1-95; am. Register, May, 1999, No. 521, eff. 6-1-99.

Trans 31.02 Trans 31.02 Definitions. In this chapter:

Trans 31.02(1) (1) “Additional application” means a subsequent application for an additional excursion to be held during the same calendar year in which an applicant has applied for and obtained a permit to operate an excursion train by the same operator or sponsor.

Trans 31.02(1m) (1m) “Applicant” means a person applying for a permit to operate a rail passenger excursion train on state-owned railroad lines under this chapter.

Trans 31.02(2) (2) “BR&H” means the bureau of railroads and harbors within the department.

Trans 31.02(3) (3) “Commission” means the municipal body which has received a grant from the department for the preservation of freight rail service and provides itself, or has contracted with an operator to provide, freight rail service on the line proposed to be used for operation of a rail passenger excursion train.

Trans 31.02(4) (4) “Commuter train” means a short-haul rail passenger service operating in metropolitan and suburban areas, whether within or across the geographic boundaries of a state, usually characterized by reduced fare, multiple rides and commutation tickets and by morning and evening peak period operations.

Trans 31.02(5) (5) “Customer special” means a train carrying persons, without a fee paid by any person, for the purpose of earning the goodwill of current and potential customers of the operator, for showing all or a portion of the state-owned railroad property to members of the commission or other government officials or for showing all or a portion of the state-owned railroad property to employees of the operator or members of their families.

Trans 31.02(5m) (5m) “Day” means calendar, not work, day.

Trans 31.02(6) (6) “Department” means the Wisconsin department of transportation or any successor to that department charged by law with administering Wisconsin’s railroad programs.

Trans 31.02(7) (7) “Dinner train” means a train which is operated for the purpose of passenger recreation, including serving a meal for which a fee is paid by the passengers or any other person.