Tired of the same old political rallies on the Lois B. DeFleur Walkway? At 4 p.m. today, five students are staging a political theater event. Their title: “Trains For Binghamton.”

This protest theater event will last for 15 minutes, and will feature both rehearsed dialogue and song addressing the lack of trains in the area. The group hopes students will sign their petition to get a railway transport service running again and to bring attention to this problem, since it’s been decades since the area has had trains. The students believe that trains would generate cultural and economic growth, and make commuting to and from New York City easier.

Jim Michalec, a graduate student studying theater, is leading the “Trains” movement.

“This is not a protest,” Michalec said. “This is political in that we’re raising an issue that is important to the community, including students. Just because politicians say we should build new bridges or interstates isn’t a good enough reason. We’re asking people to open their eyes.”

“Trains For Binghamton” will be keeping a petition table open all week. They are working with NYPIRG and have invited Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo to the event. If you’re sick of taking the bus or carpooling back and forth from school, a new option may be in your future.