Are you going to the Kiwanis International Convention in St. Louis in June?

 

How about a fun trip there and back on the train.

 

Dear Kiwanian:

 

Please share with your club—

 

We are arranging for a group rate with Amtrak for a round trip to St. Louis to coincide with the Convention dates.

 

A really convenient thing is that the MO-ARK District hotel is the Drury Inn at Union Station and the Kansas District hotel is the Hampton Inn at Union Station!

 

Our group is scheduled to depart Kansas City Union station Friday, June 25 at 7:55 a.m. and will arrive in St. Louis at 1:35 p.m.

 

Our return will be on Wednesday, June 30 leaving St. Louis at 3:00 p.m. to arrive in Kansas City at 8:40 p.m.

 

Round trip ticket price will be $38.76 for seniors (over 62) and $45.10 for non-seniors.

 

Those in the Metro area may board at either the Union Station downtown or in Independence or Lee’s Summit. There will be no difference in price. To get the group rate, we all pay as though we were boarding downtown.

 

Long term parking at the Union Station is $10.00 per day, which is not an attractive alternative to being dropped off at the station.

 

Those who wish to go to St. Louis with the group but return independently may enjoy the group rate going but will be charged the regular rate for their separate return.

 

Important —  —  — Important — — — Important

 

I have had to make a temporary reservation for the group just to get a price quote and for them to see if they had space available to seat us as a group. (I made a reservation for 40.)

 

To confirm the reservation, I have to make a deposit of $160.00 on April 5. Since this is too quick to expect a turnaround of reservations from our Kiwanians wanting to ride, I will put up the front money to secure the reservation.

 

Final arrangements with Amtrak will have to be made on May 5, with confirmed number of seniors and non-seniors, names and whether the individuals are to be ticketed for the round trip or for a separate return. I will have to fax the information to Amtrak so they can write our tickets.

 

Individuals going with the group will need to send to me a check for their fares made out to Jerry Pitts, not to Kiwanis or Amtrak. Amtrak wants one check to pay for the group. I will pay them, but you will please put your money in my hot little hand first.

 

This gives us 5 weeks to make final arrangements but folks, don’t put it off. Send me before May 5: 1) the number of tickets wanted; 2) distinguish whether senior or non-senior; 3) round trip or one way group rate; 4) names of those to be ticketed; 5) where will you board the train (downtown, Independence, or Lee’s Summit); and 6) your check made out to me so that I will have all of that in hand and be able to proceed on your behalf on May 5.

 

Those who decide to join us later may, of course, do so by purchasing their tickets independently and riding the same train with us but not at the group rate and not necessarily in the same car.

 

Kiwanians “down track” may also join us on the same train but we cannot get a group rate for you.

 

I am looking forward to a great trip with you!

 

Jerry Pitts

12624 E. 75th Street

Kansas City, MO 64138-5211

 

816-353-9878

 

jerryrpitts@earthlink.net