Category Archives: Announcements

Announcements, Meetings

Mar 21, 2009: NARP Membership Meeting–Detroit, MI

All are invited to attend the NARP Membership Meeting in Detroit, Michigan on March 21st, starting at 10:00 a.m.

The meeting will be held at the Cadillac Place Building (former General Motors world headquarters building) at 3021 W. Grand Blvd. in Detroit. Cadillac Place is two short blocks from the Detroit Amtrak station. For those needing overnight accommodations, the Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers recommends the St. Regis Hotel (313) 873-3000, which is located just across the street.

Confirmed speakers are:

Sharon Edgar, Passenger Services Division Administrator, Michigan Transportation Department Harry Gow, Past President, Transport 2000 Canada George Chilson, Chairman, National Association of Railroad Passengers

A hot catered lunch is included in the $20.00 registration fee. Checks should be made out to MARP and sent to:

MARP
P.O. Box 52148
Livonia, MI 48152-0148

Anyone having questions can call John DeLora at (313) 575-6608 between 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., EST.

Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers

Announcements, Meetings

Ann Arbor-Detroit commuter train meeting set for March 18, 2009

What: Learn more about the proposed Ann Arbor-to-Detroit commuter rail service, including boarding arrangements in Ypsilanti during a public open house. It will be followed by a meeting of the Ypsilanti Planning Commission, at which a more formal presentation will take place.

When: Wednesday from 4 p.m.-7 p.m.

Where: Haab Medical Building, 111 N. Huron St., Ypsilanti.

Source: Ann Arbor News

Announcements, Meetings, Press Releases

* Special Meeting to Preserve Amtrak Trains in MI‏*

* Special Meeting to Preserve Amtrak Trains in MI‏*

We Need Your Attendance
 Meeting Notice  

Senate Appropriations Subcommittee, Department of Transportation

Members of the Subcommittee are:

Senators Hardiman, Bill – Kentwood (C) Cropsey, Alan L. – DeWitt (VC) and Anderson, Glenn S. – Westland (MVC)

 

Date: Friday, February 27, 2009

Time: 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Place: Kent County Road Commission, 300 Monroe NW, Room 310, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49503
Link to Map: http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result.php?q1=300+Monroe+NW%2C+49503

Agenda:
• FY 2009-10 Department of Transportation Budget

• Road Funding Formula

• Amtrak

• And any other business to come properly before the Subcommittee

MARP will be testifying that the FY 2010 budget ($5.667 million) will leave Michigan standing at the station if it’s not increased to cover increases in capacity & frequency i.e. the second daily roundtrip between Chicago and Grand Rapids arriving before noon, departing back to Chicago in the evening and adding at least one more passenger car to the Blue Water train.

Joe Boardman, President and CEO states “As part of the stimulus bill signed by the president last week, we will receive $1.3 billion to make significant strides on capital programs, among other things, we’ll return to service 100 cars that are currently sidelined” (AMTRAK This Week Feb.23, 2009)

Michigan needs these cars which should be available at no cost to the state, for returning these cars to service. But if our legislators don’t act now what will the capital cost be in the future.

Please advise John Langdon at john-langdon@sbcglobal.net if you plan to attend.

Announcements

SEEKING REGIONAL CHAIR for EAST/CENTRAL REGION

The Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers, Inc. (MARP) is looking for a new Regional Chair for its East/Central region. The regional chair tracks issues along Amtrak’s Blue Water route from Battle Creek east through East Lansing, Durand, Flint, Lapeer and Port Huron and attempts to resolve them, either directly or by reporting them to MARP’s Executive Committee, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) or Amtrak.

Issues may include on-time performance of passenger trains, cleanliness of passenger trains and stations, and promotion of Amtrak’s Blue Water train service. The regional chair also serves on the committee that determines the best way to expand Amtrak’s Blue Water promotion funds allotted by MDOT and coordinates distribution of MARP’s quarterly published newsletter The Michigan Passenger in the East/Central region of the state. The regional chair also serves on the Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers Executive Committee.

Like all MARP positions, this is a volunteer position. Serving in such a role is an ideal way to help the state of Michigan rebuild its passenger rail and connecting intercity motorcoach network.

If you are interested, please contact MARP Chairman John DeLora at: jdelora@wowway.com or (313) 575-6608.

Announcements, Meetings

Detroit Transit in 2008 at TRU’s Annual Meeting at TRU’s Annual Meeting on Monday, January 28 at 6:30pm.

Key regional leaders will provide updates on the status of transit efforts in greater Detroit, the exciting progress anticipated in 2008 and how individuals can get involved in the solutions.  Speakers will include:

  • Rep. Marie Donigan, Chair of the Michigan House Public Transit Subcommittee
  • John Hertel, CEO of Detroit Regional Mass Transit
  • Hayes Jones, new General Manager of SMART
  • and others tba. 

The event will be Monday, January 28, 2008 at 6:30pm at the Boll Family YMCA’s Marlene Boll Theater (at 1401 Broadway in downtown Detroit, two blocks southeast of Grand Circus Park).

 

A donation of $5 for members and $10 for non-members is requested to cover meeting expenses.  A light dinner will be provided. 

 

Please RSVP to TRUmember@DetroitTransit.org. 

Learn more about TRU and Detroit transit issues at www.DetroitTransit.org. 

Get regular updates on key transit issues by signing up for our email list at www.DetroitTransit.org/lists.php.
                 Megan Owens

                TRU Director