Docket Operations M-30 West Building Floor W-12-140 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE Washington DC 20590

U n.ited States of America Dept. of Transportation Office of Secretary Washington DC

RE: Docket DOS-OST-1997-2605 

# Miles City Area
Chamber of Commerce ·

April 9, 2013

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We are writing to make you aware of our desire. to rejoin t.he EAS Program. and mairJtain air service to Miles City, Montana.

Miles City is the largest city in southeastern Montana and seryes as the hub for**busine~s,** medical, education, and professional needs for the surrounding smaller communities. Air service is critical to the people that make up our extended community. This community extends from our city limits to the north 80 miles to Jordan, 80 miles to the south .to Broadus and another 40 to Alzada, 80 miles to the east to Baker and another 40 miles to Ekalaka, and 40 miles to the northeast to Terry. As you can see, our ridership serves much more than just Miles City. EAS is a vital component in maintaining and recruiting professional serves for all of these surrounding communities. The effect of Miles City losingthe EAS program is far reaching.

We understand and appreciate the importance of maintaining an affordable.subsidy level, but in researching the ridership for the last 4 years, it is apparent to us that we can achieve the needed ridership to sustain the·EAS program in Miles City. In 2009 your program·

### ~erviced 891 passengers and 2010 saw that number grow to 1029. 

## h wasn't. until 2011 that 

# a dramat_ic drop in passengers occurred with the number dropping to 602 and in 2012 it fell again to 360. We understand the need to maintain cost effective numbers but we would suggest that the drop in numbers doesn't reflect a lack of need for this service; it suggests some other. underlying situation.

### We are asking that you reinstate Miles City to the EAS program in Montana and join us in researching ways we can work together to make this a more viable program for both of us. Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter:

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### hnlane7/ Executive Director Miles City Area Chamber of Commerce

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## fb**,.w.i/n·;;.~r;.** c..-01----__We are asking that you reinstate Miles City to the EAS program in Montana and join us in researching ways we can work together to make this a more viable program for both of us. Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter.

And these concerned citizens

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