06/05/24

Message from Transportation Riders United. TRU “just got back from testifying in Lansing in support of an exciting new bill package that could potentially invest $2 billion in public transit in Michigan over the next ten years (details linked and below). If you agree that Michigan needs transformational new investments in public transit, please join in urging our state leaders … Continue reading The biggest state investment proposal for transit! →

06/05/24

Michigan Central Station tours: How to visit Ford’s renovated train depot Michigan Central Station Story from the Detroit Free Press

05/09/24

Amtrak’s New Borealis Service.

05/09/24

Getting more bang for the buck in US railway projects May 02, 2024 • Rick Harnish Click to read the article.

03/19/24

Take an in-depth look at passenger numbers and daily trains on Michigan’s Wolverine line and North Carolina’s Piedmont line to see how they compare. Amtrak Comparison: Michigan vs North Carolina

03/19/24

Select the image for presentation slides

01/22/24

Trinity Metro Reflects on TEXRail Success, Celebrates Huge Milestone Read the Metro Magazine article.

12/08/23

Proposed Chicago-Detroit-Windsor-Toronto Service The Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers (MARP) strongly supports new through passenger rail service between Chicago and Toronto VIA Detroit. Read more here:

10/25/23

A highlight of MARP’s 50th Annual Meeting held at Durand Union Station on October 14, 2023 was a formal Tribute presentation honoring MARP for 50 years of advocacy for passenger train service in our state. The Tribute, pictured below, was presented to John DeLora and John Guidinger, founding chair, and current chair, respectively, of MARP by Em Lefko, Chief of … Continue reading State of Michigan Presents Tribute to MARP →

10/16/23

Corey Rowe, a Board member of Transit Riders United, wrote a wonderful blog post on the annual meeting. It can be found here: https://coreyrowe.me/2023/10/16/marp

09/20/23

Click here for the August/September issue

08/14/23

08/09/23

Governor J.B. Pritzker of Illinois took an important step for our whole country. Read more about the news from the Highspeed Rail Alliance below.  

06/05/23

Click to read the Bridge Michigan story.

05/31/23

Read the latest Bridge Michigan story.

05/05/23

Click below to read the MLive Article

04/26/23

03/02/23

Expanded Amtrak service from Milwaukee to the Twin Cities could start sometime later this year, even as prospects for new routes to Madison, Green Bay and Eau Claire remain uncertain, Wisconsin’s top rail official says. Read the story

03/01/23

Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Amtrak Daily Long-Distance Service Study Summary of Regional Working Group Meetings – Round 1 View Summary View Project Website  

02/24/23

Mechanic Street to close on Feb. 27 for railroad bridge construction work in Jackson  LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will close Mechanic Street to resume improvements around a railroad bridge. This work is part of the Jackson Railroad Bridges Replacement Project to replace two century-old railroad bridges over Jackson and Mechanic streets. The project … Continue reading Mechanic Street to close on Feb. 27 →

01/18/23

The MARP Station Host program consists of a group of five dedicated volunteers who staff the East Lansing Station mornings for the departure of the westbound train. First time travelers always have questions, and the ticket and parking kiosk can be challenging for some. While we do have a new and clean station that serves … Continue reading East Lansing Station Hosts →

12/28/22

Next Year’s Northern Michigan Rail Study Will Welcome Critics, Concerns By James Bruckbauer Transportation & Community Design Program Director Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities The idea of creating a passenger rail connection to northern Lower Michigan reached an exciting milestone this year when state and federal lawmakers announced funding support for the next phase of … Continue reading Weigh in on north-south rail →

11/05/22

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is conducting an Amtrak Daily Long-Distance Service Study to evaluate the restoration of daily long-distance intercity rail passenger service and the potential for new Amtrak long-distance routes. This study will ultimately create a long-term vision for long-distance passenger rail service and identify capital projects and funding needed to implement that … Continue reading FRA Long-Distance Service Study →

10/31/22

Tim Hoeffner, unplugged: What’s the future for passenger rail service in Michigan? On this week’s edition of the Talking Michigan Transportation podcast, a conversation about passenger rail service in the state. Tim Hoeffner, a former director of the Michigan Department of Transportation’s Office of Rail and now a consultant with Quandel and Associates, is the guest. Listen … Continue reading Talking Michigan Transportation podcast →

08/31/22

Over the last few months, the project team has worked to more clearly define the elements of the New Center Intermodal Facility (NCIF). Early design decisions include: Bus station entrance/exit on Amsterdam Street instead of Woodward Avenue (buses turning out of the bus station onto Woodward Avenue and cars driving down Woodward Avenue would have … Continue reading Detroit’s New Center Intermodal Facility →

08/19/22

  High Speed Rail Alliance “This presentation covers the Chicago Access Program, a group of high-impact projects that will increase capacity and improve reliability for trains entering and exiting Chicago. Amtrak is taking the lead on this program that will improve Chicago Union Station, create more routes into the city and open up a variety … Continue reading Recorded Presentation: Chicago Access Program →

08/16/22

AUGUST 15, 2022 |AUTHOR: JAMES BRUCKBAUER ESSENTIAL STUDY FUNDED The effort to connect people and businesses in northern Michigan to the rest of the state and country with modern passenger train service reached a huge milestone recently with new funding through state and federal agencies. In July, Michigan state lawmakers, led by northern Michigan’s Senator … Continue reading Lawmakers Accelerate Northern Michigan Rail →

08/08/22

A message from Rail Passengers Association “Poor service and bad dispatching practices from many host railroads are causing chronic and excessive delays for millions of riders who rely on the Amtrak system. In 2021 alone, freight trains caused 900,000 minutes of delay to Amtrak passengers—equivalent to traveling to the moon and back 100 times! Interference … Continue reading Take Action Against Late Trains! →

07/29/22

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Five-Year Transportation Program (5YTP) is a state-required document that presents a high-level overview of planned investments in transportation programs and projects over a five-year period. Produced annually, each 5YTP overlaps across a four-year interval, while adding a fifth year of projects. This document provides information on investments for the … Continue reading MDOT 2023-2027 Transportation Program →

07/18/22

MDOT public open houses July 26 and 28 to discuss the New Center Intermodal Facility (NCIF) in Detroit  Detroit, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is hosting a virtual and in-person open house on the upcoming New Center Intermodal Facility (NCIF) in Detroit. NCIF is a proposed project that would combine an intercity bus station with … Continue reading MDOT public open houses July 26 and 28 – New Detroit facility →

07/16/22

Celebrating its 10th year, the Michigan Rail Conference returns to the Upper Peninsula. Convening at Bay College in Escanaba, the conference opens with the traditional Student Scholarship Golf Outing and reception on August 1, continues with the main program on August 2, and winds up with field visits on August 3.  Highlights include of the … Continue reading 2022 Michigan Rail Conference: Aug 1-3 →

04/08/22

Fresh Tweet in from MDOT Rail! Do you know that you can report a blocked RR crossing in the @USDOTFRA -created portal? They use the information you share to work together with railroads and others to come up with short and long-term solutions. Report your blocked crossing here: https://www.fra.dot.gov/blockedcrossings/  

04/01/22

Michigan City, IN, Station Closing Effective April 4, the Michigan City, IN, station will be closed and no longer served by Amtrak. More frequent Amtrak service is available in New Buffalo, approximately 15 minutes east, along with free parking and trains on both our Wolverine and Blue Water routes, sponsored by the Michigan Department of … Continue reading Amtrak Service Alert! – Michigan City Station Closing →

03/29/22

New Poll: 78% of Americans Want Increased Investments in Passenger Rail in the U.S.! Read all about the news and see the full survey results on the Rail Passengers Association’s website.    

02/28/22

With funding from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Michigan Tech, Penn State Altoona and University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign have teamed up to offer up to 80 high school students across the U.S. an exciting opportunity to learn more about rail transportation and engineering in Summer, 2022. All applicants who are accepted for the program will … Continue reading 2022 MTU Summer Rail Engineering Program →

02/02/22

The new venture cars are getting a lot of attention! Recently the High Speed Rail Alliance posted about the new trains along with a review of the fleet from The Points Guy, a website devoted to travel. Rail supporter, Seth Reynolds, also rode the new train and shared pictures from the inaugural run of the new Midwest … Continue reading New Midwest Venture Cars →

01/06/22

From an Amtrak press release: WASHINGTON, D.C., and ​CALGARY, Alberta – Amtrak and Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (CP) (TSX: CP) (NYSE: CP) today announced an agreement with Amtrak supporting the proposed combination of CP and Kansas City Southern (KCS) railways. “CP has been an excellent host of Amtrak intercity passenger service year after year and … Continue reading CP commits to support Amtrak service expansions in two U.S. regions →

05/19/21

Fast facts: – Effective May 25, the maximum speed of Amtrak Midwest trains will increase to 110 mph between east of Kalamazoo and west of Albion on 45 miles of MDOT-owned track.  – Key infrastructure improvements and accelerated speeds will improve the safety and on-time performance of Amtrak Wolverine and Blue Water trains. – An … Continue reading Amtrak increasing train speeds between Kalamazoo and Albion →

02/04/21

Comments on Michigan Mobility 2045 State Long Range Transportation Plan submitted by Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers (MARP) John Guidinger, Chair February 4, 2021 The Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers (MARP) is pleased to have this opportunity to comment on the Michigan Mobility 2045 State Long Range Transportation Plan. Our comments follow the order of … Continue reading Comments on Michigan Mobility 2045 State Long Range Transportation Plan →

06/25/20

Beginning June 29 and 30, Amtrak and the Michigan Department of Transportation are restoring the daily Pere Marquette round-trip trains between Grand Rapids and Chicago in response to anticipated demand. This Amtrak MidwestSM service was temporarily suspended on March 21 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The train will originate in Chicago on June 29 and … Continue reading Grand Rapids-Chicago Amtrak Pere Marquette trains return June 29-30, 2020 →

09/17/18

From Progressive Railroading: https://www.progressiverailroading.com/passenger_rail/article.aspx?id=55555&source=pr_digital3/22/17& By Gina Doyle Fifty-one hours train time — plus 90 minutes from Milwaukee to Chicago. When my husband and I told friends and family about our plans for travel from Milwaukee to San Francisco, we got one of two responses: “Are you crazy? Why would you want to spend so much … Continue reading My Amtrak Story: From Milwaukee to San Francisco →

01/06/17

by John Amrhein, Michigan State University Extension Part one of this Michigan State University Extension article introduced a feasibility study of passenger rail in northern Michigan being conducted by the Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities and discussed current passenger rail service in Michigan. The potential value of such a service becomes clear as we review … Continue reading Passenger rail service in northern Michigan being studied: Part two →

10/24/16

Please join us for an early evening hosted by MSU Archives and MSU Press featuring an enlightening retelling of the history of a World War II-era steam locomotive and the determination of two generations of volunteers to keep it running! Kevin P. Keefe will be speaking October 26, in Conrad Hall, Room 102, from 5:00-7:00 … Continue reading Twelve Twenty-Five: The Life and Times of a Steam Locomotive →

10/18/16

From Dowagiac Daily News: For the past five winters, the bright white lights hanging from the roof of Dowagiac’s historic train depot have shined like a warm beacon during cold evenings downtown. That brilliant visage may soon burn out, though, without some generosity from the local community. Dowagiac’s Ron Leatz has recently began a new … Continue reading Dowagiac man leading efforts to fund repairs to local train station →

08/22/16

From The Detroit News: An eleventh-hour deal was struck Aug. 2 by the top elected leaders in Metro Detroit to save a $4.6 billion transportation millage proposal to help fund regional rapid transit. Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson said Tuesday that a “deal to make the deal” had been reached. “It’s a huge breakthrough … Continue reading Metro Detroit leaders reach regional transit deal →

08/16/16

It’s not your imagination: You’ve been hearing and seeing more trains in and around Traverse City. And if Chris Bagwell and James Bruckbauer have anything to say about it, the local tracks will be getting even busier. For years since the Grand Traverse Dinner Train ceased operation in 2006, area tracks were rarely used; the … Continue reading Bells & Whistles: Trains Return To Traverse City →

07/06/16

From The Port Huron Times-Herald: Port Huron’s Amtrak station is no longer staffed starting July 1. The station waiting area at 2223 16th St. will remain open to passengers from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily. Amtrak personnel on the train will assist passengers boarding and departing at the station. The train leaves Port Huron at 6:20 … Continue reading Port Huron train station no longer staffed →

07/01/16

Spectacular 360-degree views, made possible by windows on all four sides and curving up into the roof, are a feature of the Amtrak Great Dome car, which will be assigned to the Amtrak Pere Marquette train on four weekends this July. Officially known as car 10031 “Ocean View,” it is the only Dome Lounge car in the … Continue reading Great Dome Car Scheduled to be on the Amtrak Pere Marquette for Four July Weekends →

06/20/16

An iconic restaurant in downtown Lansing will be closing its doors for good. Clara’s Lansing Station employee tells News 10 in Lansing the restaurant will officially close on June 26th. The restaurant is a restored former train station. The restaurant has served the downtown Lansing area for decades. According to the restaurants website, “active restaurateurs … Continue reading Clara’s restaurant in downtown Lansing to close →

05/17/16

MDOT’s handling of the controversial commuter rail cars was correct, and will potentially save up to $1,680,000 a year. BY LARRY KRIEG Remember the dust-up about how Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) was “wasting public funds” by leasing and refurbishing rail cars? These were the cars purchased by Great Lakes Central Railroad (GLC) from Chicago’s … Continue reading Michigan Auditor General praises commuter car deal →

04/06/16

From Curbed Chicago: The South Shore Line’s long prohibition against bicycles will come to an official end in less than two weeks. Starting April 2, up to 40 bikes per train will be allowed on weekend days through the end of October as part of a one year pilot program. The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation … Continue reading South Shore Line to Allow Bikes on Board Starting April 2nd →

04/06/16

From Crain’s Detroit Business: Plans for a light rail system linking parts of Ann Arbor are being discussed by city and local transportation officials. Details were released Wednesday at the University of Michigan, the Ann Arbor News reported that The Ann Arbor Connector could cost $500 million to $700 million and would run through downtown Ann … Continue reading Transportation officials discuss light rail systems for Ann Arbor →

04/06/16

From Crain’s Detroit Business: The name of the new M-1 Rail streetcar line in Detroit will be QLine, Dan Gilbert’s Quicken Loans Inc. announced Thursday. The name was one of several trademarked by Quicken, as first reported by Crain’s last year. Quicken is paying $5 million over 10 years for the naming rights to the … Continue reading Quicken names M-1 Rail as QLine →

02/16/16

Don’t sit in your house and wait for warm weather. See the fun activities Michigan has to offer this winter by planning a Pure Michigan Snow Day and taking advantage of the hot savings Amtrak is offering on their Michigan trains! From now until March 31, Amtrak is offering 20 percent off fare for the … Continue reading Amtrak is offering 20 percent off fares for the Blue Water, Pere Marquette and Wolverine trains →

02/16/16

From The Toledo Blade: The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza will soon be hosting a triple-decker of transportation — trains, buses, and Subway. That is, Amtrak, Greyhound, and Subway, the sandwich shop. The Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority board of directors early today voted to approve new leases for the ground level of the MLK Plaza … Continue reading Port Authority approves plan for combined train, bus station →

12/19/15

From the South Bend Tribune What’s the best way to achieve faster, more frequent Amtrak train trips between Chicago and Detroit — including stops in Niles, Dowagiac, Kalamazoo and Ann Arbor? Leaders of two rail transportation advocacy groups say double-tracking the entire track along that approximately 300-mile route, called Wolverine Service, is the answer. The … Continue reading Rail advocates want double tracking between Detroit and Chicago →

12/19/15

From the Mount Pleasant Morning Sun: There are almost 300 miles between Ann Arbor to Traverse City. With a potential railway reconnecting some of Michigan’s largest cities and regions, Mt. Pleasant could be stop on that journey. Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities, a Traverse City based non-profit organization, presented the project at Monday’s city commission … Continue reading Mt. Pleasant could be a stop on railway to Traverse City, Ann Arbor →

11/09/15

Amtrak will operate 10 extra trains in Michigan for the 2015 Thanksgiving holiday in addition to its regularly scheduled service. On Nov. 25 and 29, an extra eastbound morning train will depart Chicago bound for Grand Rapids and an extra westbound evening train will depart Grand Rapids bound for Chicago. On Nov. 25, 28 and … Continue reading Amtrak adds 10 extra trains to handle Thanksgiving travel in Michigan →

11/08/15

From The Lansing State Journal: Model train lovers hope to preserve a piece of Lansing’s railroad history by relocating and restoring a narrow two-story tower that once stood next to the Lansing Union Station that is now Clara’s Restaurant. I’ve craned my neck more than a few times as I wondered about the history of … Continue reading Quirky Lansing railroad tower on the move →

11/06/15

From the Financial Post: That the push for new high-speed train systems in Ontario and Alberta is gaining momentum just as the federal Liberals prepare to take office with plans to double infrastructure spending is surely more than a coincidence. But the head of Canada’s dominant passenger rail service, Via Rail Canada, says high-speed rail … Continue reading High-speed rail not the right solution for Canada: Via CEO →

10/25/15

From the Sault Star: Three companies who have expressed interest in operating the passenger train between Sault Ste. Marie and Hearst have been provided with the numbers they need to complete full business case proposals. The proposals are due Oct. 30, 2015. Tom Dodds, chair of the stakeholder committee tasked with making a recommendation to … Continue reading Transport Canada sets Oct. 30th as deadline to submit business plans for operation of Algoma Central passenger service →

10/22/15

From The Mount Pleasant Morning Sun: What started as a brainstorming conversation on how to transport people from one end of Mt. Pleasant to another has morphed into the possibility of a shuttle train that would operate within the city. The shuttle, which is only a concept now but could come to fruition within two … Continue reading Mt Pleasant could get shuttle train →

10/22/15

From Crain’s Chicago Business:   After years of studies and collective hand-wringing, a coalition of local government units and Amtrak today is announcing the first real steps to finally rebuild the crowded and outmoded Union Station. On tap immediately are a new passenger lounge and repairs to the stately but leaky 219-foot-long skylight that covers … Continue reading Plan to rebuild Chicago Union Station finally starts to roll →

10/22/15

From the Southwestern Ontario Transportation Alliance: VIA Rail Canada is reinstating the early morning train from Windsor and Chatham to Toronto on Saturdays starting on Oct. 31, 2015. The early evening service from Toronto to Windsor on Fridays will also be reinstated, providing extra capacity at this peak travel time. Both services had been suspended … Continue reading VIA restores early Saturday train to Windsor Oct. 31 →

10/01/15

Amtrak and RLE International (an engineering firm) worked with the Michigan Department of Transportation to develop an innovative system for getting people easily onto trains. People needing wheels for their mobility have been a special concern, given that many trains’ floors are several feet above the level of the platform at most stations around the … Continue reading First day of service for Amtrak’s experimental platform in Ann Arbor →

10/01/15

From Mashable: If you have taken Amtrak for any longer distance trip, you may have noticed something: People bring baggage. Some people bring a lot of baggage, in comparison to what you might see on an airplane. So much baggage, in fact, that Amtrak is going to actually start enforcing some limits — and some … Continue reading Amtrak passengers will have to pay for extra baggage →

09/18/15

From The Troy Sentinel: While the city and Grand Sakwa Properties have settled on the cost of the property that the Troy Multi-Modal Transit Center sits on, who will reimburse the city for the additional cost is not yet clear. While the city paid Grand/Sakwa $3.1 million Sept. 3 and the lawsuit was dismissed, Oakland … Continue reading Troy, Grand Sakwa settle suit on transit center property cost →

09/18/15

From The Royal Oak Daily Tribune: The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments will receive $250,000 in federal funding to support the development of a Bus Rapid Transit project along Woodward Avenue, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced Monday. SEMCOG is among 21 organizations nationwide that will receive a share of $19.5 million in grants from … Continue reading SEMCOG awarded $250,000 grant for Bus Rapid Transit project →

08/30/15

From the Detroit Free Press: The Michigan Department of Transportation, responding to criticism from lawmakers and taxpayers after the Free Press reported the state agency is paying more than $1 million a year to lease railcars it can’t even use, is finalizing an agreement to halt the payments on Sept. 30, according to the state’s … Continue reading MDOT to stop paying for idle railcars →

08/26/15

From the Detroit Free Press: Over the years, dreamers have recommended all sorts of schemes for the old Michigan Central Station, from casinos to vertical agriculture. But it may turn out that the best new use may be closer to the station’s original purpose — a transportation hub. Matthew Moroun, son of depot owner Manuel … Continue reading Michigan Central Station owner floats idea of moving his business operations to the abandoned building in Detroit →

08/25/15

From the Sault Star: Now’s the time for companies that have expressed interest in running passenger rail service between Sault Ste. Marie and Hearst to put their plans in writing for evaluation. Last Friday, the Algoma Central Railway passenger service stakeholders working group issued a request for proposal for a new operator. The service stopped … Continue reading New search starts for Algoma Central Railway passenger rail operator →

08/22/15

From The Ann Arbor News: Ann Arbor officials said back in May the Ann Arbor Station study was nearing the final stretch and a recommendation was expected in the next month or so on a preferred location for a new Amtrak station in the city. More than three months later, nothing has been announced, but … Continue reading Final draft of Ann Arbor train station study awaits state, federal review →

08/20/15

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin taxpayers will end up paying $9.7 million more for two state of the art train sets — for a total of roughly $50 million — but leave the trains with their Spanish manufacturer, under the settlement of a nearly 3-year-old lawsuit. The settlement, which still needs to be approved … Continue reading Talgo to keep Wisconsin trains, get $10 million more in settlement →

08/19/15

From the Detroit Free Press: “To ride in the cab of a Hudson doing 80 miles an hour is the experience of a lifetime,” Roger Weaver said. He should know. He spent 52 years as a railroad man, working for the New York Central’s great passenger steam engines before diesels took over in the late … Continue reading Ontario man looks back at 52-year railroad career →

08/19/15

From The South Bend Tribune: The Saginaw man who allegedly stabbed four people on an Amtrak train coming into Niles last December was arraigned Wednesday on eight new charges. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing next Tuesday on the new charges, as well as the four initial charges against him. Michael Darnell Williams, 44, … Continue reading Niles Amtrak stabbing suspect faces 8 new charges →

08/18/15

From Crain’s Detroit Business: The $400 million effort to build a new rail tunnel underneath the Detroit River has been put on hold because its private-sector backers say the business case for new tunnel doesn’t exist. “It’s idle for now,” said Marge Byington Potter, executive director of corporate affairs for the Continental Rail Gateway. The … Continue reading Detroit-Windsor rail tunnel project put on hold →

07/22/15

From The Detroit News: Passenger train service between Detroit and Grand Rapids could be reinstated in the next decade if state transportation experts determine the public has an appetite for a new line and can figure out how to pay for it. Supporters say the idea of connecting Michigan’s two largest cities by train is … Continue reading Grand Rapids, Detroit train idea taking shape →

07/15/15

The state is getting a new grant to boost rail safety education. Michigan Operation Lifesaver has been awarded $8,400 from Operation Lifesaver, Inc., in partnership with the Federal Railroad Administration. It is part of the nonprofit safety group’s ongoing “See Tracks? Think Train!” public awareness campaign. The money will be used to boost awareness on … Continue reading Operation Lifesaver awarded grant to boost rail safety education and awareness →

07/15/15

From the Lansing State Journal: The new Amtrak station near Harrison and Trowbridge roads will be complete this summer (2015). The station, which is part of the new $6.3 million Capital Area Multimodal Gateway, will be three times larger than the existing station on the property. It will have an enclosed lobby with floor-to-ceiling windows … Continue reading New East Lansing Station to open this summer →

07/15/15

From the Sault Star: ACR passenger rail service officially ceases Wednesday, July 15, 2015. It’s the second time this year that passenger train service between Sault Ste. Marie and Hearst, Ontario has been threatened to come to a screeching halt. Last week’s announcement that Railmark had not been able to meet the precondition of securing … Continue reading Algoma Central Railway stakeholders back to the table →

07/13/15

From the Sault Star: SAULT STE. MARIE, ONTARIO – Al Errington is simply steamed that passenger train service between Sault Ste. Marie and Hearst will cease July 15. “We need somebody with the financial resources and the personnel resources to operate that passenger train well,” said a “very aggravated” Errington, Coalition for Algoma Passenger Trains (CAPT) … Continue reading Stakeholders steamed passenger train service between Sault Ste. Marie, Hearst to cease →

06/24/15

From Soo Today: The city of Sault Ste. Marie Ontario has accepted a recommendation to not sign a final agreement with Railmark Canada regarding the operation of the passenger rail service between the city and Hearst. Railmark has failed to produce a required line of credit. “One of the preconditions (for the city to sign) … Continue reading Algoma Central Railway passenger service still in trouble →

06/22/15

From The Detroit News: Rail may be a year away from ferrying passengers from downtown to Midtown, but housing developments already are popping up along the Woodward Avenue route: an early sign the streetcar service could play a major role in eradicating blight along the 3.3-mile line. It’s been a hard-fought battle to fund and … Continue reading M-1 Rail helps get Woodward developments rolling →

06/22/15

From Soo Today: After more than a year of lobbying to keep passenger service running between the Sault and Hearst, a local working group is now recommending the city not sign a funding agreement with the successful proponent. In a report to council included in the agenda for the June 22, 2015 regular meeting, Tom … Continue reading Algoma Central Railway supporters: Don’t sign that railway deal →

06/18/15

From the Sarnia Observer: The audience at a Sarnia Golf and Curling Club luncheon hosted by the Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce applauded Wednesday when the head of Via Rail announced plans to add more trains between Sarnia and London. “You’ve made my day,” Sarnia rail advocate Jim Houston told Via CEO Yves Desjardins-Siciliano after … Continue reading More passenger train service may be arriving in Sarnia →

06/15/15

From The Detroit News: Amtrak and the state expect to have a speed control safety system along 283 miles of tracks in a year and a half as part of their effort to get faster passenger trips averaging a little more than four hours between Detroit and Chicago. Michigan Department of Transportation rail chief Tim … Continue reading PTC installation on Wolverine route should be done in late 2016 or early 2017 →

06/09/15

From M-Live: The $140 million lightrail project underway in Detroit has received more than $100 million in philanthropic money from donors, M1 Rail President and CEO Matt Cullen said Monday. But such money could not be depended on for an expansion of the 3.3-mile streetcar system – whether to Pontiac, Ferndale or even just to … Continue reading M1 Rail CEO: Future expansion depends on federal money →

06/08/15

From the Detroit Free Press: M-1 Rail has selected a Pennsylvania company to design and build its Detroit streetcars that would start hauling passengers up and down Woodward Avenue late next year, and perhaps someday to Cobo and the GM Renaissance Center. Brookville Equipment of Brookville, Pa., will supply the six streetcars as well as … Continue reading M-1 Rail picks Pennsylvania bidder in $32M streetcar deal →

06/08/15

From Crain’s Detroit Business: Rather than asking Congress for a project-specific lump sum, the Michigan Department of Transportation will rely on its regular annual federal transportation funding to pay for a $3 billion widening and repair of I-94 through Detroit. That’s why the project, slated to see freeway construction work begin in 2019, isn’t expected … Continue reading I-94 expansion will cost $3 billion through 2036 →

06/03/15

From Progressive Railroading: The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is seeking to temporarily forgo payments on 23 unused commuter-rail cars it leased from the Great Lakes Central Railroad (GLC). Under an agreement still in progress, GLC would eliminate MDOT’s lease payments on the cars for up to five years. The railroad would then assure the … Continue reading MDOT looks to defer lease payments on unused commuter-rail cars →

06/01/15

From the Great Lakes Echo: Michigan’s transportation organizations are studying planes, trains and automobiles. More options for public transit could play a huge role in the state’s competitiveness in attracting and retaining people young and old, Michigan transportation experts say. They’ve recently launched four studies to assess the feasibility of new Michigan rail routes. The … Continue reading Transportation experts eye four major proposed Michigan rail routes →

05/22/15

MARP Vice Chairman Jim Wallington was on WPHM, 1380 AM in Port Huron, on May 18 to discuss the state of Amtrak and the recent Amtrak wreck in Philadelphia. Here’s a link to listen: http://www.wphm.net/play_window.php?audioType=Episode&audioId=7239836

05/17/15

From Crain’s Detroit Business: It’s an idea with appeal: Riding the rails north from Ann Arbor to Traverse City, maybe for a summer weekend — and no highway congestion to contend with, there or back. The Michigan Land Use Institute hopes to make that a reality. The Traverse City-based nonprofit is spearheading a campaign to … Continue reading Traverse City nonprofit is the engine pulling for passenger rail service from Ann Arbor →

05/17/15

From the Sault Star: The third-party operator selected to run the ACR passenger train service between Sault Ste. Marie and Hearst is working through the conditions required to formally seal the deal. Economic Development Corp. CEO Tom Dodds said Railmark’s owner B. Allen Brown is working through conditions needed to ink the final agreement that … Continue reading Algoma Central Railway passenger service transition is a work in progress →

05/12/15

Amtrak press release: A new schedule for the Amtrak Pere Marquette will make it more convenient for passengers to attend sports, music and theatre events in Chicago and result in eight to 10 jobs being based in Grand Rapids, Mich.,effective May 4, 2015. The new schedule (attached) also improves connections with other Amtrak trains. The … Continue reading In case you haven’t noticed, Amtrak’s Pere Marquette is on a new schedule →

05/12/15

From The London Free Press: In too many places in Southwestern Ontario, the travellers’ refrain is the same: You can’t get there from here. Or get here from there. All but abandoned by bus and passenger train service, rural Southwestern Ontario is rolling out a $400-million car-free travel plan to stitch together its various large … Continue reading Back to the future: $400-million, car-free proposal would link Southwestern Ontario communities →

05/12/15

Funding Will Go Towards Planning that is Critical to Addressing Transit Center’s Aging Infrastructure From Chicago Mayor’s Press Office: Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Senator Dick Durbin, Senator Mark Kirk, Representative Mike Quigley, Amtrak and Metra today announced an additional $7 million funding to develop infrastructure improvements and train operating strategies that will enhance passenger rail service … Continue reading Mayor’s Press Release: $7 Million Funding to Improve Train Service at Chicago’s Union Station →

05/07/15

From the Detroit Free Press: Proposal 1, likely one of the most complicated and confusing questions ever placed on a Michigan ballot, was soundly rejected Tuesday as many voters expressed anger at lawmakers and state government for failing to come up with a better solution to the sorry state of the roads. With all counties … Continue reading Michigan voters soundly reject Proposal 1 road tax plan →

05/04/15

Passenger train and mass transit programs in the state may see an estimated $112 million increase annually if voters approve an amendment to the state constitution on Tuesday, May 5, 2014, raising the sales tax and restructuring how taxes are collected for transportation. In a December lame-duck session, Michigan lawmakers approved plans for a statewide … Continue reading Tuesday, May 5, 2014 ballot proposal could increase train and transit funding →

04/10/15

From the Sault Star: The new operator of the passenger train service between Sault Ste. Marie and Hearst hailed the announcement as a new beginning and a new future for Northern rail service. B. Allen Brown, CEO of Railmark Canada, was even happier April 1, 2015 when the late night federal funding announcement was followed … Continue reading Sault Ste. Marie and Hearst train service continues uninterrupted →

03/23/15

From the Sault Star: A passenger train service in Northern Ontario won’t just survive by increasing its passenger base. The increased passenger base will come over a short time if operators think outside the box, create products, destinations and top-notch services that make them yearning to come back again. That’s the vision that B. Allen … Continue reading Grand vision for Northern Ontario train service →

03/23/15

From CBC: Via Rail is looking at building a dedicated passenger rail network in the Quebec City-Windsor corridor to improve its on-time performance and boost ridership, says the company’s CEO. “It’s a definite possibility, meaning that we are acquiring track as it becomes available in the corridor,” Yves Desjardins-Siciliano said in an interview with CBC’s The Exchange with … Continue reading Dedicated Quebec City-Windsor track would improve on-time performance, Via Rail CEO says →

03/23/15

The North-South Commuter Rail (WALLY) is a proposed 27-mile long commuter rail service that would connect Ann Arbor and Howell, with intermediate stops along the way. It is being evaluated as a way to improve mobility along US-23 and to promote economic development and job creation in the region. A feasibility study is being undertaken … Continue reading Washtenaw and Livingston Commuter Rail (WALLY) Feasibility Study community meeting scheduled March 30, 2015 →

03/23/15

From The Detroit News: The number of train-vehicle crashes has spiked in recent years and the blame is being squarely put on one factor: driver error, including distracted driving. Michigan has the 10th highest collision rate in the country with 78 crashes last year: 12 people were killed and 25 were injured, according to recent … Continue reading Michigan train-car crashes rising →

03/20/15

From The Grand Rapids Press: Several local organizations have pledged support for a study, which begins today, to examine the possibility of a West Michigan to Detroit-area passenger rail line. The Holland Visitors Bureau, Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce, Macatawa Area Coordinating Council and Experience Grand Rapids each made a contribution totaling about $10,000 … Continue reading West Michigan groups spend $10K for study of Grand Rapids to Detroit passenger rail service →

03/20/15

From The Grand Rapids Press: The following opinion reflects the position of The Grand Rapids Press editorial board. Traveling from Grand Rapids to Detroit is easy. That is, if you own a vehicle. Otherwise, you can buy a ticket for a bus ride down I-96. If you’re really itching to go by train, you can … Continue reading Editorial: Why a Detroit-Grand Rapids train just makes sense →

03/15/15

From the Fort Wayne News-Sentinel: The leader of a coalition of states that foot most of the costs of Amtrak’s short passenger routes says its members are awaiting answers from a federal agency about a new policy Indiana cited in its decision to end a line between Indianapolis and Chicago. Depending on its final form, … Continue reading New policy worries states supporting short Amtrak routes →

03/15/15

From the Lafayette Courier and Journal: The end of the Amtrak Hoosier State passenger rail got a 30-day reprieve, and a deal to save the four-day-a-week service might still be within reach. Last week, Indiana Department of Transportation announced the rail service would end April 1, but Friday, March 13, 2015, INDOT announced the extension, … Continue reading Hoosier State line gets 30-day extension →

03/15/15

From Railway Age: The Supreme Court March 9 sent back to a federal appellate court for reconsideration a freight railroad challenge to a provision of the 2008 Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act (PRIIA) that allowed the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Amtrak to collaborate in establishing minimum on-time performance standards for Amtrak passenger trains … Continue reading Implications aplenty in Supreme Court Amtrak ruling →

03/15/15

From the Lafayette Journal and Courier: The Hoosier State passenger rail service between Indianapolis and Chicago will run for the last time on April 1, the Indiana Department of Transportation announced March 6, 2015. The state had been negotiating with Amtrak to continue service after the current contract expires next month. But after more than … Continue reading Hoosier State Amtrak line to end April 1 →

03/15/15

From The Ann Arbor News: Talks of a new Michigan coast-to-coast passenger rail line are picking up. The Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority’s governing board voted Thursday night to authorize entering into a $100,000 contract with Transportation Economics and Management Systems for a rail ridership and cost estimate study for potential passenger rail service along … Continue reading Michigan coast to coast: Passenger train service from Detroit to Grand Rapids being studied →

02/21/15

From the Sarnia Observer: Transportation expert Greg Gormick wants people to use public transportation to show politicians there is a demand for improvements, including three daily round-trip trains in Sarnia. Gormick unveiled an improvement plan for rail and bus service in southwestern Ontario during a presentation at Sarnia library on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015. Through … Continue reading Plan unveiled in Sarnia for regional transportation improvements →

02/21/15

From the Chicago Sun Times: Amtrak announced Thursday, January 28, 2015 a $12 million renovation project at Union Station that will include rehab of the marble stairway made famous in the movie “The Untouchables” as well as plans to commission a redesign of the often-congested concourse area where commuters board and de-board trains. Improvements will … Continue reading $12 million in fixes for Chicago Union Station →

02/21/15

From the Sault Star: A third-party operator expected to run Algoma Central Railway’s Agawa Canyon Tour Train and passenger service offers “a new beginning” for the rail line. Al Errington, owner of Errington’s Wilderness Island, calls Friday’s announcement that will see the unnamed company with experience in passenger and tourism service “a sea change” for … Continue reading New operator for Algoma Central looking more likely →

02/06/15

From the Detroit Free Press: The State of Michigan is paying $1.1 million a year to lease 23 passenger rail cars it can’t use — and likely won’t use for at least another two years — as the taxpayer tab for the troubled project approaches $12 million and counting. The 1950s and ’60s-era double-decker cars … Continue reading MDOT pays $1.1 million a year for rail cars it can’t use →

02/05/15

From The Ann Arbor News: Could the castle-like building that houses the Gandy Dancer restaurant in Ann Arbor return to its former glory as a rail depot? That’s an idea the city and its consultants are now exploring at the request of the federal government. Eli Cooper, the city’s transportation program manager, said the Federal … Continue reading Gandy Dancer in Ann Arbor could become a train station again →

12/27/14

From Crain’s Detroit Business: The orange barrels making for a traffic slalom course on Woodward Avenue north of Grand Circus Park will continue through the winter for M-1 Rail streetcar construction in Detroit, the project said today. Work will include continued construction on freeway overpasses and underground utility relocation, M-1 COO Paul Childs said. Woodward, … Continue reading M-1 Rail details winter work schedule →

12/27/14

From Crain’s Detroit Business: The second phase of $8 million in federal New Markets Tax Credit funding for the $137 million M-1 Rail streetcar project in downtown Detroit has been received. The first round was received earlier this year, according to a news release. New Markets investors receive over seven years tax credits equal to … Continue reading M-1 Rail receives second phase of federal tax credit funding →

12/11/14

From Detroit Free Press: As Wolverine Train No. 351 to Chicago left Dearborn this morning, the Rev. John Koski was there, waving as it pulled away from the platform after picking up 68 passengers at the new John D. Dingell Transit Center shortly after 7 a.m. Koski, 64, of Dearborn and associate pastor of the … Continue reading First train pulls out of new Dearborn Amtrak station →

12/11/14

From the National Post (Canada): Via Rail Canada hopes to reduce congestion by building its own network of dedicated tracks, and the passenger rail service wants to enlist the help of private equity to do it. Currently, 90% of the track that Via uses is owned by Canadian National Railway Co., and this shared infrastructure … Continue reading Via Rail eyeing private capital to build its own dedicated rail lines →

12/10/14

From the Sault Star: Three rail companies have submitted formal bids to operate the Algoma Central Railway passenger service between Sault Ste. Marie and Hearst. The same three rail companies have also submitted bids to CN Rail to operate the tour train service. The ACR Passenger Service Working Group met Monday to hear CN Rail’s … Continue reading Three companies submit bids to operate Algoma Central →

12/10/14

From the Dearborn Press & Guide: Amtrak passengers have to wait just a few more days before taking advantage of the new station’s amenities. It is scheduled to open Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2014. The first train will roll into the new station, 21201 Michigan Ave. at 6:51 a.m. Amtrak is moving all of its operations … Continue reading Dearborn train station construction finally reaching the end of the line →

12/03/14

From M-live.com, The Kalamazoo Gazette: They are almost always avoidable. But whether because of impatience or negligence, vehicles and trains crashed about once a week in Michigan last year. There were 58 vehicle-train accidents in the state in 2013, including five in Kalamazoo County. That’s up 35 percent from the 38 car-train crashes statewide in … Continue reading Car-train crashes happen about weekly in Michigan and are almost always avoidable, authorities say →

11/12/14

From M-1 Rail: M-1 RAIL announced it has selected a vendor and will begin negotiations for the design and build of the individual streetcars, which will run along the Woodward Avenue route beginning in 2016.  The value of the contract is expected to be approximately $30 million for six separate custom coaches that will feature … Continue reading M-1 Rail selects Czech-based Inekon Group to build Detroit’s streetcars →

11/12/14

From The Lansing State Journal: Amtrak says a record number of passengers rode trains on its Blue Water line last year. The line, which runs from Port Huron to Chicago, includes stops in East Lansing, Battle Creek and Kalamazoo. The nation’s passenger rail service said today the Blue Water carried 191,231 passengers for the fiscal … Continue reading Amtrak’s Blue Water line sets ridership record →

11/12/14

From Progressive Railroading: M-1 Rail has chosen a design-build team for the planned Penske Technical Center near the northern terminus of the city’s future streetcar line at Woodward Avenue and West Grand Boulevard in Detroit. The team — which will include Turner Construction Co., 3.L.K Construction, ABE Associates Inc. and RNL — will construct the … Continue reading M-1 Rail selects team for Detroit streetcar technical center →

11/12/14

From The Northern Hoot: Members of the Coalition for Algoma Passenger Trains (CAPT) and all parties that have a concern for continued passenger rail service along the ACR are feeling hopeful and excited. CAPT has dedicated several years to raising awareness about the economic, cultural and environmental benefit of passenger trains in the Algoma District. … Continue reading Prospects for Algoma passenger trains looking up →

11/12/14

From USA Today: Amtrak’s ridership and ticket revenue increased in fiscal 2014, buoyed by continued growth in the Northeast Corridor, the rail service reported Monday. But the numbers also indicate flagging activity on long-distance lines and regional services that rely partly on support from taxpayers in some states. Amtrak President and CEO Joseph Boardman warned … Continue reading Amtrak posts ridership growth, but long-distance lines lag →

11/12/14

From The Hill: Amtrak is touting an increase in ridership on its trains in fiscal 2014 as lawmakers are debating a funding measure for the company. Amtrak said Monday that it carried 30.9 million in the fiscal year that ended in September, which the company said was an increase of 0.2 percent over the same period for 2013. … Continue reading Amtrak touts ridership growth as Congress weighs budget →

11/11/14

From The Grand Rapids Press: Bearing floor-to-ceiling windows to brighten its interior, officials quipped the city no longer is home to an “Amshack” station. The new Vernon J. Ehlers Amtrak Station ceremoniously replaced its Wealthy Street predecessor early Monday, October, 27, 2014, connecting Grand Rapids to Chicago. Ehlers, the former West Michigan congressman whose name … Continue reading New station opens in Grand Rapids →

11/11/14

From a METRA press release: Federal, state and local officials celebrated in October 2014 the opening of the $142 million Englewood flyover, a major railroad bridge that has eliminated a significant source of train delays on the south side of Chicago and has reduced emissions and noise from idling trains in the neighborhood. The flyover … Continue reading Englewood Flyover opens; eliminates bottleneck for Michigan Amtrak trains →

10/25/14

From The Ann Arbor News: The Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority has announced the start of a new technical study to determine the feasibility of WALLY commuter rail between Howell and Ann Arbor. WALLY is short for the “Washtenaw and Livingston Line,” a proposed 27-mile rail service that would use existing freight tracks to carry … Continue reading 18-month study planned for Howell-to-Ann Arbor commuter rail →

10/21/14

From The Detroit News: More than 200 people witnessed the ribbon-cutting for the new Troy Transit Center Tuesday, including Brian Smiatacz, 36, who had two kids in tow. Four-year-old Adam, and Grace, 2, came outfitted with train engineer hats. “They’ve been waiting for a year for this to open,” Smiatacz said. “We were watching it … Continue reading Ceremony celebrates Troy Transit Center →

10/12/14

From The Toledo Blade: Christine Smith boarded Amtrak’s Lake Shore Limited in Chicago on Tuesday night to visit a friend in Toledo. The train left Chicago two hours late and made it only about 15 miles to Indiana’s northwest corner, where it sat for about three hours, Ms. Smith recalled. By the time it got … Continue reading Amtrak trains often trickle into Toledo after rash of delays →

10/06/14

From Trains Magazine: The grand opening for the Troy Multi-Modal Transit Center is scheduled for Oct. 14, 2014. Construction work on the transit center was completed in last fall, but a property dispute held up its opening. In late September, a settlement by Troy to acquire the land and lease the site to Amtrak was … Continue reading Grand opening for new Troy station set for Oct. 14, 2014 →

10/06/14

From Trains Magazine: Time has caught up with the famed “BO” tower in Kalamazoo this week. On Tuesday morning, signal crews working on Amtrak’s Michigan Line upgrades retired the 44-lever Saxby & Farmer interlocking machine, marking the end of the tower era in western Michigan. For the time being, operators still work around the clock at BO, operating … Continue reading Changes come to Michigan’s famed ‘BO’ tower →

10/06/14

From The Grand Rapids Press: It’s light at the end of the tunnel: the vacant, yet new, Amtrak station finally is set to connect to the rest of the region in the coming month. City crews are slated to shut down Century Avenue SW at 8 a.m. Monday, Sept. 29, 2014, while CSX Corp. reconstructs … Continue reading Crews set to reconstruct rail crossing before opening Grand Rapids’ new Amtrak station →

09/30/14

From M-Live.com: Forty years after debuting service in Michigan, the Amtrak Blue Water line isn’t what it used to be. Recently Amtrak has added features like wireless internet and bicycle racks to its Blue Water train cars. Train speeds have increased to 110 miles per hour on one portion of the line, and ridership in … Continue reading Amtrak’s Blue Water line from Port Huron to Chicago offers ticket deal to celebrate 40 years →

09/30/14

The Amtrak Blue Water service between Port Huron and Chicago will celebrate 40 years on Oct. 1. Amtrak will promote the 40th anniversary event onboard the train with an extra café car, offering more table seating, commemorative gift bags, refreshments, and celebrations. Volunteer hosts will be available in each car to hand out gifts and … Continue reading Amtrak Blue Water service celebrates 40th anniversary Oct. 1 →

09/30/14

– A Tier 1 Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has been prepared for proposed passenger rail improvements. – To view the Tier 1 Draft EIS, go to www.greatlakesrail.org. – Comments must be received by Dec. 19, 2014, and can be submitted in multiple ways. – Public hearings are scheduled for October in Michigan, Indiana, and … Continue reading Public comment period available for Chicago-Detroit/Pontiac Passenger Rail Corridor Program →

09/20/14

This video was produced by the Michigan Department of Transportation: September 16, 2014 – The Amtrak Pere Marquette service celebrated 30 years of service between Grand Rapids and Chicago. The Pere Marquette is a vital link and economic development tool for west Michigan communities. Sponsored by the Westrain coalition, Amtrak, and MDOT, riders had an … Continue reading Amtrak Pere Marquette celebrates 30th Anniversary →

09/18/14

From M-Live: Michigan Flyer users are riled up after Detroit Metro Airport announced plans to relocate the popular bus service’s stop at McNamara Terminal from curbside to one 500 feet away where passengers must brave the elements. Michigan Flyer officials say they worry the new stop could hurt their 98 percent on-time record because they … Continue reading Why is Detroit Metro Airport moving its Michigan Flyer bus stop? →

09/17/14

From The Detroit News: The tracks have been cleared for the state to develop faster, cushier Amtrak service between Detroit and Chicago now that the Michigan Senate has ended its probe of a state passenger rail car purchase. State transportation officials want to buy two sets of cars and engines, built in the United States … Continue reading Amtrak’s Detroit-Chicago trip to get faster, plusher with upgrades →

09/12/14

From The Chicago Tribune: For many of the 120,000 rail passengers who pass through each day, Union Station is either a mystifying maze of ramps and escalators, or a perplexing funnel that forces them to navigate perilously narrow platforms. Commuting challenges include dodging water from leaky roofs and trying not to breathe diesel fumes too … Continue reading Chicago Union Station plan could bring relief for Metra, Amtrak passengers →

09/12/14

From The Grand Rapids Press: From the second-floor of The Rapid’s headquarters in downtown Grand Rapids, Conrad Venema looks out at U.S. 131 cutting through the heart of the city. The view offers a stark contrast of travel of old — mammoth concrete corridors designed for personal vehicles — against what transportation planners like Venema … Continue reading Grand Rapids bets $40 million on state’s first bus rapid transit system →

09/11/14

From Railway Age: The Algoma Central Railway Passenger Service Working Group is seeking a contract operator for ACR’s passenger service between Sault Ste. Marie and Hearst, Ontario, and has issued a request for Expressions of Interest (EOI). The purpose of this non-binding invitation is to pre-qualify companies to participate in an upcoming Request for Proposal … Continue reading Algoma Central, CN seek passenger service operators →

09/04/14

Amtrak will continue to operate trains on a modified schedule for the Wolverine Service and Blue Water routes through the end of September as it completes infrastructure  improvements in West Michigan. The track and signal work will result in improved reliability, a smoother ride and the future extension of 110 mph Amtrak service between Battle … Continue reading Amtrak extends modified schedule through September →

09/03/14

From The Kalamazoo Gazette: Two individuals escaped injury on Aug. 28, 2014 in Oshtemo Township after their car was cut in half by a westbound Amtrak train. At approximately 10 p.m., a Chevrolet Monte Carlo heading north on 4th Street near Stadium Drive became lodged on railroad tracks at a crossing closed for maintenance after the … Continue reading Car stuck on tracks is cut in half by Amtrak train near Kalamazoo →

08/16/14

From the Detroit Free Press: Officials in Troy were optimistic today that the city’s controversial Multi-Modal Transit Center would finally be able to open now that a judge has granted the city the title for the land. Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Leo Bowman’s order transferring the title is contingent upon the city paying the … Continue reading Troy Transit Center opening back on track after judge’s ruling →

08/13/14

From the Lansing State Journal: Demolition of the old Michigan State University Surplus Store and Printing Services buildings has begun, the first step in a remodel of the East Lansing Amtrak station that will create a new Capital Area Multi-Modal Station. The demolition launches construction of a multimillion-dollar project that will create a Capital Area … Continue reading Demolition underway for new East Lansing Amtrak station →

08/12/14

A new report by the Michigan Land Use Institute describes the potential for running a train on an 11-mile stretch of railroad tracks between Traverse City and Williamsburg, Michigan. Getting Back on Track: Uncovering the Potential for Trains in Traverse City describes how rail travel could boost tourism and development in the area; the upgrades … Continue reading MLUI report examines potential for rail in Traverse City →

07/17/14

From Progressive Railroading: M-1 Rail officials yesterday unveiled details of their construction plans for the Detroit streetcar project, which is set to begin on July 28. Construction activities, poised to start between Adams Street and Campus Martius, will include the closure of Woodward Avenue for the next 120 days, officials said in a press release. … Continue reading M-1 Rail releases specifics on Detroit streetcar construction →

07/17/14

From The Grand Rapids Press: The city’s largely completed Amtrak station named after a former West Michigan congressman now isn’t expected to open for passengers until early fall. Officials blame an underground sewer line below Buchanan Avenue SW for the latest holdup. The Vernon J. Ehlers Amtrak Station already has suffered more than a year … Continue reading Latest delay bogs Grand Rapids’ new Amtrak station’s opening →

07/02/14

From the Detroit Free Press: A committee of Wayne County Commissioners approved $3 million in funding for the M-1 Rail project June 3, as construction of the $160-million project should begin within the next 60 days. The funding, approved by the committee of the whole on a 10-5 vote and set to go before the … Continue reading Wayne County panel OKs $3 million for M-1 Rail →

07/01/14

From The Ann Arbor News: The list of sites being considered for a new Amtrak train station in Ann Arbor has been narrowed from eight to three. The three locations awaiting further review now include a stretch of track along North Main Street next to Argo Pond, the existing Amtrak site on Depot Street, and … Continue reading 3 sites under consideration for new Amtrak train station in Ann Arbor →

07/01/14

From The Ann Arbor News: A conceptual design has emerged showing what a new Amtrak station could look like on stilts above the train tracks along Depot Street in Ann Arbor — on the same site as the existing station the city is considering replacing. A citizens group called Protect A2 Parks, which has been … Continue reading Group unveils design for new Ann Arbor train station on stilts above tracks →

07/01/14

From the Lansing State Journal: The Michigan Department of Transportation will study the viability of a passenger railroad line that would connect Holland to Detroit by way of Grand Rapids and Lansing. The rail line may never materialize, but the study is the first official step by the state to create a new rail line … Continue reading MDOT to study rail line that would connect Grand Rapids, Lansing, Detroit →

06/29/14

From The Detroit News: We commend Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville for introducing a plan to increase transportation funds across all platforms in Michigan, including infrastructure repairs to roads and bridges, investment in public transit, and vital improvements to our railroads. Rail transportation is vital to Michigan’s agricultural economy, which generates more than $96 billion … Continue reading Column: Railroads need funding, too →

06/27/14

From The Livingston Daily Press & Argus: Diesel multiple-unit rail cars, or DMUs, have been suggested as an alternative to Washtenaw and Livingston Line rail cars, said Michael Benham, strategic planner for the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority, which oversees the WALLY commuter train project. Benham said DMUs can be less costly to operate, although the … Continue reading WALLY group eyes diesel option →

06/27/14

From The Capital Times: It didn’t get a lot of press — two Milwaukee bloggers noted it — but Talgo, the Spain- and U.S.-based train manufacturer, closed its factory on Milwaukee’s north side last week and moved the last of its train sets out of town. They will probably be sold to Michigan. The irony is that … Continue reading Columnist: Gov. Walker’s train gaffe costing Wisconsin big time →

06/27/14

From The Ann Arbor News: The city of Ann Arbor has held a series of meetings in June to continue a public dialogue about a new Amtrak station in the city. During the meetings, the city and its consultants presented analysis of eight potential sites being considered for a new train station, and will ask … Continue reading Ann Arbor working to narrow down a list of potential train station sites →

06/22/14

From the Milwaukee Business Journal:   Talgo Inc. recently rolled two passenger trains out of Milwaukee and sent them to the Amtrak Beech Grove facility in Indiana to save money. The company soon will terminate its lease for a city-owned building that, in 2010, was envisioned to be the hub of Talgo’s U.S. train manufacturing … Continue reading Brand-new passenger trains roll out of Milwaukee →

06/19/14

From M-1 Light Rail: The Detroit Free Press reports that JP Morgan Chase will invest a total of $100 million into Detroit, with $5.5 million of that total being invested into the M-1 RAIL Project and other initiatives. The Chase money will flow through multiple partners already active in the city who promote real estate … Continue reading M-1 RAIL to benefit from JP Morgan Chase Investment in Detroit →

05/28/14

From The Northwest Indiana Times: The long-delayed Indiana Gateway rail project will be kicked off by Gov. Mike Pence and other officials on Thursday, which will lead to $71.4 million in construction projects during the next two years. The Indiana Department of Transportation and Federal Railroad Administration on Tuesday confirmed the Indiana Gateway finally has … Continue reading Porter Junction rail project finally gets green light →

05/23/14

From The Detroit News: The M-1 Rail project is inching closer to reality, organizers say, with a groundbreaking planned this summer that will rebuild a portion of Woodward Avenue and add sleek streetcars. Officials won’t reveal when construction will begin — the road will be completely rebuilt from Adams past West Grand Boulevard. But they … Continue reading M-1 on track for groundbreaking in Detroit →

05/12/14

From The Cadillac News: Railroad passenger cars that have sat for years on tracks in Cadillac have sustained damage amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Lights were broken and numerous windows and seats were damaged in the tall, silver passenger cars that sit near the corner of North Mitchell Street and 13th Street. A … Continue reading Thousands of dollars in damage to passenger railroad cars discovered in Cadillac →

05/09/14

From The Ann Arbor News: “More buses! More places! More often!” That was the chant that echoed throughout Braun Court in downtown Ann Arbor Tuesday night, as dozens of transit advocates and members of the More Buses campaign celebrated the passage of a 0.7-mill tax increase to expand transit services in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and … Continue reading Transit tax approved in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti →

05/09/14

From The Northwest Indiana Times: The Indiana Department of Transportation has received four proposals to provide services for the Hoosier State Amtrak route between Chicago and Indianapolis. The proposals were received in response to an open-ended request for proposals issued in early April by INDOT and seven communities that are helping subsidize the four-day per … Continue reading Michigan company is among four proposals submitted to run Hoosier State passenger train →

05/08/14

From Milwaukee Business Journal: The Wisconsin Claims Board will make a decision by May 20, 2014 on Talgo Inc.’s claim against the state of Wisconsin over two trains the manufacturer will soon move from Milwaukee. Talgo  filed the claim in November 2013 against the state of Wisconsin,  arguing it is owed $65.9 million over a … Continue reading Decision in Talgo’s $65.9 million train claim expected by May 20 →

05/08/14

From The Clare County Review: The 119-year-old Clare Railroad Depot was picked up off the old site and moved to a new home on April 25, 2014. During the 11 hour process, the building was moved approximately 900 feet east to its new home on Fourth Street across from the Clare Castle. The Clare Union … Continue reading Clare depot moves to new home →

05/06/14

From M-Live.com: While Ann Arbor gained one form of transportation earlier this week with the launch of Uber, another form of intercity and interstate transportation will scale back its services in the coming weeks. MegaBus, one of the largest privately funded providers of city-to-city bus transportation, announced that it will discontinue its routes going east … Continue reading MegaBus canceling all non-Chicago-Ann Arbor routes →

05/06/14

Wayne State University, in partnership with the University of Michigan and Drexel University, has launched a two-and-a-half-year study of the imagination—or l’imaginaire—of high-speed rail (HSR) in America. The study is part of a larger comparative international study piloted by Dr. Max Bergman at the University of Basel and led by French, American, South African, Indian … Continue reading Wayne State to study high-speed rail →

05/02/14

From The Detroit News: Michigan transportation officials are looking to buy or lease new passenger trains sidelined in a legal dispute between their Spanish manufacturer and Wisconsin. A spokesman for the Michigan Department of Transportation confirmed officials contacted Talgo Inc. with a request for proposal for an undisclosed number of the trains to be used … Continue reading MDOT confirms its interest in Wisconsin passenger trains idled in legal dispute →

05/01/14

From the Sault Star: The ACR passenger service generates at least $38 million in total economic activity, a draft report by BDO Canada concludes. In fact, the economic impact of the passenger train service between Sault Ste. Marie and Hearst, when including direct, indirect and induced economic impact ranges from $38,136,000 to $48,072,000, stakeholders were … Continue reading ACR passenger train has tremendous economic impact, study concludes →

04/30/14

From the Milwaukee Sentinel Journal: Two brand new, high-speed passenger trains idling in a north side Milwaukee building that originally were manufactured for the state of Wisconsin by Spanish train-maker Talgo Inc. may soon be put to use. Michigan’s Department of Transportation issued a request for proposals in March for ready-to-operate trains capable of 110 … Continue reading New, unused Talgo trains in Milwaukee could find a new home in Michigan →

04/18/14

From The Lansing State Journal: A new rail and bus station in East Lansing will take longer to build than planned because construction bids came in nearly $2 million over budget. The $10.5 million project, which would replace the city’s 40-year-old train station near Harrison and Trowbridge roads, will be sent out for new bids … Continue reading East Lansing rail, bus station to be ‘substantially complete’ in mid-August 2015 →

04/18/14

From the Sault Star: Algoma Central Railway (ACR) passenger rail trains will continue to chug along between Sault Ste. Marie and Hearst — for the time being — due to the extension of a $2.2-million federal subsidy to CN. But that money dries up next March 31 and, as Transport Minister Lisa Raitt told stakeholders and media … Continue reading $2.2-million federal subsidy for Algoma Central Railway passenger service extended →

04/17/14

From The Lansing State Journal: Beginning in late 2007, J. Peter Lark dedicated almost six years of his life to developing a 21st-century answer to the Board of Water & Light’s need for a power plant that produced affordable electricity and steam while significantly reducing the emissions associated with burning coal. Almost 10 months into … Continue reading BWL’s train depot restoration draws attention and appreciation from Lansing community →

04/17/14

From the Dearborn Press and Guide: The Dearborn city council approved at its meeting Tuesday the addition of about $185,000 to its contract with Neumann Smith, which is providing architect and engineer services for the city’s new Intermodal Passenger Rail Station, bringing the total to about $2.7 million. “The project was originally scheduled for completion … Continue reading Rail station delays add to Dearborn’s contract costs →

04/17/14

From News Channel 3 in Kalamazoo: Amtrak will continue replacing some of its tracks in Kalamazoo Wednesday, which will impact drivers. These are the areas you may want to avoid for the next couple weeks: Wednesday, Harrison Street is closed until the 20th. By Friday the 18th Porter Street should be open, but on Saturday … Continue reading Track replacement continues in Kalamazoo →

04/09/14

From Crain’s Detroit Business: The Troy City Council voted 7-0 April 7, 2014,  to authorize an offer of $1.05 million to Grand/Sakwa Properties LLC, to reacquire the 2.7-acre Troy Transit Center property after the courts found it had reverted to private ownership. The vote authorizes the city to make that offer, based on funding from the … Continue reading Troy council votes to offer $1.05 million to developer for Troy Transit Center property →

03/30/14

From The Grand Rapids Press: For 30 years, West Michigan residents have been able to travel between Grand Rapids and Chicago through Amtrak’s Pere Marquette rail service. Now there’s a statewide effort underway to look into whether a train running between Holland and Detroit is feasible, and the idea is generating support from a local … Continue reading Train service between Holland and Detroit gains supporters, study planned →

03/30/14

From the Holland Sentinel: Want to take the train into Detroit for a day trip or get some work done on your morning commute to Lansing? Michigan isn’t there yet, but it’s taking the first steps toward passenger rail from Holland to Detroit and points in between with a proposed feasibility study for the project. … Continue reading Michigan railroad study planned →

03/30/14

From the Detroit Free Press: The odds that Detroiters will be riding a Woodward Avenue streetcar line by late 2016 rose Tuesday thanks to a $10-million loan from the state to the planned M-1 Rail line. The Michigan Strategic Fund, meeting in Detroit, voted Tuesday to approve the $10-million loan to M-1. As part of … Continue reading State OKs $10-million loan to Detroit’s M-1 Rail line →

03/30/14

From the Detroit Free Press: ■ M-1 Rail will offer streetcar services along Woodward Avenue from Jefferson downtown to Grand Boulevard in New Center, running about 3 miles with at least 11 stations. ■ Groundbreaking is in the spring. The first passengers could be riding in fall 2016. The cars will run curbside with the … Continue reading What you need to know about M-1 Rail →

03/30/14

From the Detroit Free Press: The long-awaited M-1 Rail project has a new route map, a promised spring groundbreaking and soon, maybe, a new name. Naming rights will be sold as part of the marketing plan for the $140-million M-1 Rail line — so look for it to be called anything from the Little Caesars … Continue reading M-1 Rail groundbreaking nears amid hopes for a broader regional system →

03/22/14

From The Detroit News: Months after construction was completed on Troy’s new multimodal transit center, passengers hoping to catch a train at the $6.3 million facility are still out in the cold. On a frigid morning last week, Troy dentist Keith Kelley stood at the outdoor train platform on the Birmingham side of the tracks, … Continue reading Troy Transit Center condemnation lawsuit thrown out →

03/20/14

From Railway Age: For its Fiscal Year 2015, which begins Oct. 1, 2014, Amtrak is requesting $1.62 billion in federal capital and operating support, an increase of approximately 16% from FY 2014 federal appropriations. But more important, said Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman, fundamental changes are needed in how the U.S. government financially supports … Continue reading Amtrak FY 2015 budget: “Something has to change” →

03/20/14

From an M-1 Light Rail press release: As utility relocation work continues and the Streetcar Project moves closer to the start of track construction, M-1 RAIL has increased its staff capacity with two new hires. M-1 RAIL President and CEO Matthew P. Cullen today announced the hiring of Timothy Fischer as Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) … Continue reading M-1 Rail hires Fischer and Brown →

03/20/14

The Illinois Department of Transportation, on behalf of the states of Illinois, California, Michigan, Missouri, and Washington, on March 18, 2014 formally granted the Siemens Rail Systems Division an official Notice to Proceed on 32 “Charger” diesel-electric passenger locomotives. The NTP follows IDOT’s December 2013 announcement of its intention to move forward on the order … Continue reading It’s official: Siemens to build next generation locomotives for Michigan Amtrak services →

03/20/14

Michigan Flyer-AirRide passengers traveling between Ann Arbor’s Blake Transit Center (BTC) and either East Lansing or Detroit Metro Airport will board and be dropped-off in a new spot at the BTC. The new boarding location is 390 S. 5th Avenue (corner of 5th Ave. and William St.), across from the main entrance to the Ann Arbor Library. See “AirRide” … Continue reading Michigan Flyer-AirRide has a new stop in Ann Arbor →

03/20/14

From the Detroit Metro Times: Jim Storm has an easier time than most. In the region that gave America a set of wheels, the Ferndale resident hasn’t owned a car in years, leaving behind the perpetual repairs, insurance payments and gas pumps for the bus — and for him, at least, it works. The thought … Continue reading How Detroit ended up with the worst public transit →

03/20/14

From Progressive Railroading:   Amtrak on March 10 , 2014 outlined its infrastructure plans for 2014, which will include installation of positive train control (PTC) and the start of a major construction project to upgrade the Northeast Corridor’s high-speed rail service. This year, Amtrak will continue its “aggressive” program to install PTC on an additional … Continue reading Amtrak cites key infrastructure projects for 2014 →

03/20/14

From the Midland Daily News: Usually trains move while train depots remain stationary. That’s not going to be the case in Clare on April 15 when the 119-year old Clare Railroad Depot is scheduled to move to its new home on Fourth Street across from the Clare Castle — about 900 feet to the east … Continue reading Clare planning to move historic depot in April →

03/02/14

From Soo Today: A nationally-recognized accounting firm will help assess the economic impact of CN’s Algoma Central Rail passenger service between Sault Ste. Marie and Hearst. With the transportation link set to cease operating on April 29, the Working Group that is attempting to save the line has retained the services of BDO Canada LLP, … Continue reading Accountants to assess impacts of Algoma Central Railway passenger rail →

02/28/14

From M-Live.com: A group that’s restarting talk about an electric streetcar line in Grand Rapids is fine-tuning the concept and is weighing whether routes should already run where people already are or where the city is developing. The role pits the streetcars as a catalyst for new investment with being a connector between what already … Continue reading Two possible streetcar routes in Grand Rapids: Which is best? →

02/28/14

The National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP) announced this week that Ross Capon will be moving on from his 39-year career with the organization. Larry Scott will take over as acting president. Capon joined NARP in 1975 and became its executive director in 1976. “During Ross’s time at NARP, the association’s recognition and influence significantly … Continue reading NARP’s Capon moving on; Scott named acting president →

02/27/14

From Soo Today:   Committed cottagers, land and business owners, and municipal and tourism representatives from across the Algoma district gathered at City Hall last week for the inaugural meeting of the Algoma Central Railway Passenger Service Stakeholder Committee. The purpose of the meeting was to form a Working Committee that will work toward an … Continue reading Committee seeks 1-year extension of Algoma passenger rail service →

02/26/14

From Sault Online: On February 19th, 2014 the Russ Ramsay board room at the Sault Ste. Marie Civic Centre was filled with people in support of maintaining passenger rail service along the Algoma Central Railway. The evening’s meeting was the first of three town hall meetings hosted by the Coalition for Algoma Passenger Trains, (CAPT).  … Continue reading A Busy Week for Passenger Rail in Algoma →

02/24/14

From the Detroit Free Press: A court ruling Friday added a fresh setback to 13 years of contentious efforts by Troy officials to open a regional transit center. Oakland County Circuit Judge Leo Bowman denied the city’s request to be awarded immediate possession of the land that sits under the transit center. Bowman’s ruling states … Continue reading Ruling keeps Troy Transit Center closed, passengers in the cold →

02/21/14

From The Ann Arbor News: By a 2-to-1 margin, residents in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and Ypsilanti Township say they’d likely approve a tax increase to fund expanded public transit services. That’s according to a new survey conducted by CJI Research on behalf of the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority. The survey found 63 percent of … Continue reading Survey shows voters support new tax for expanded transit in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti →

02/20/14

 From an Amtrak Press Release: AmtrakConnect® cellular-based Wi-Fi service is now available on Amtrak trains in the Midwest, with eight corridors offering this free amenity to Amtrak passengers, effective today. Collectively, these routes carried nearly 3.3 million passengers in the last year (Amtrak FY2013, Oct. 2012-Sept. 2013) and account for about 10 percent of Amtrak … Continue reading Wi-Fi is now available on Amtrak Midwest trains →

02/19/14

From WWMT-TV News Channel 9 and M-Live.com: Passengers are finally home bound after being delayed hours on a disabled Amtrak train. Train 364 which departed from Chicago and was heading to Port Huron became disabled in Niles, according to Amtrak Spokesman Craig Schulz. There were 155 people on-board at the time. Nobody was injured. Another … Continue reading Amtrak train becomes disabled near Niles, leaving passengers stranded for hours →

02/13/14

The Coalition for Algoma Passenger Trains (CAPT) announces  All Aboard! To save ACR Passenger Train. This is a series of 3 Town Hall Meetings/ Media Events with a train trip on the ACR between the Wawa and Hearst meetings. Guest speaker, Harry Gow, transportation expert and founding president of Transport Action Canada, will be able … Continue reading All Aboard! To save ACR Passenger Train →

02/13/14

From The Northern Express: Passenger trains could rumble through Traverse City for short hauls A potential rail service from the depot at Eighth St. and Woodmere Ave. to Turtle Creek Casino in Williamsburg is a win-win for commuters and tourists alike, local organizers say. The Michigan Land Use Institute, the Michigan Department of Transportation and … Continue reading Traverse City area casino train examined →

02/08/14

From The Port Huron Times-Herald: The Port Huron Amtrak station will possibly take the next train out of the city. Preliminary discussions have begun between Amtrak, Michigan Department of Transportation, Canadian National Railway, the city of Port Huron and Port Huron Township Downtown Development Authority about moving the station to Port Huron Township. “The current … Continue reading Amtrak looking at a station move in Port Huron →

02/07/14

From M-Live.com: Proponents of a downtown streetcar line are resurrecting a 6-year-old study and, by this summer, plan to revise the vision and pursue funding. The Rapid public-transit system is paying HDR Inc. $293,895 to refine the 2008 study, updating what an electric streetcar line would cost and how the money could come together. An … Continue reading $80 million streetcar plan for Grand Rapids back in play →

02/07/14

The following are resources for people concerned about the recent announcement of the cancellation of passenger service in Canada. National Association of Railroad Passenger (NARP) Vice Chairman John DeLora has been monitoring news about the recently announced cancellation of passenger rail service between Sault Ste. Marie Ontario and Hearse Ontario. NARP had sent the Canadian … Continue reading More about the cancellation of passenger service on the Algoma Central Railway →

02/01/14

Amtrak is offering a variety of discounts on select routes beginning January 2014: Travel Michigan for 20% Off with the Midwest Winter Warm Up Sale Book your travel now through March 30, 2014 for travel now through March 31, 2014 to save up to 20% off your ticket price. Travel the following routes, including: The … Continue reading Amtrak announces winter savings of 20-30% →

01/26/14

From M-Live.com: Detroit M-1 Rail planners expect to begin providing commercial service by late-summer of 2016. Preliminary utility relocation work began this winter and construction on the $176 million project is expected to begin in 2014, continuing through 2015. One of the next steps is bureaucratic. The 3.3-mile streetcar plan will travel along Woodward from … Continue reading M-1 Rail expected to average 5,000 passengers per day →

01/26/14

Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2014 from 5-7 p.m. at the Detroit Public Library nearly 50 people attended a joint public hearing held by the City of Detroit Department of Public Works and the Michigan Department of Transportation. A formal presentation was given by both road authorities and M-1 RAIL to explain the need for and content of … Continue reading M-1 Rail holds public hearing →

01/26/14

From the Ann Arbor Journal: The Ann Arbor Station Environmental Review project began with a team meeting on Jan. 10, 2014. In attendance were representatives from the consulting team, the City of Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority, Michigan Department of Transportation and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). The purpose of the project is … Continue reading Environmental review project for Ann Arbor station kicks off →

01/26/14

From The Chicago Tribune: Amtrak announced a modified schedule Saturday afternoon, Jan. 25, 2014 in preparation for the extreme cold predicted to hit the region Monday, Jan. 27. The modified schedules will affect Amtrak’s Chicago Hub Services as some trains will be canceled on a precautionary basis to maintain service on all routes. Passengers are asked … Continue reading Amtrak modifies Jan. 27, 2014 schedule due to extreme weather →

01/23/14

News release from The Ride: At the Jan. 21, 2014 Ypsilanti Township Board of Trustees meeting, Dr. Laurence Krieg, an avid rider and study of transportation systems around the globe, was unanimously appointed to the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority’s (TheRide) Board of Directors. Ypsilanti Township was officially added to the Authority through a unanimous … Continue reading Larry Krieg Appointed to Represent Ypsilanti Township on the AAATA →

01/23/14

From Crain’s Detroit Business: Longtime metro Detroit transit insider John Hertel said in a statement Tuesday morning that he’s stepping down as CEO of the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan — a job for which a signed contract was never reached. Instead, he said he’s staying on as general manager of the Suburban Mobility … Continue reading John Hertel steps down as CEO of RTA, will stay on as SMART manager →

01/10/14

From The Detroit News: M-1 Rail said in December 2013 it began utility relocation work along Woodward Avenue in Detroit — the first step toward full-fledged construction of the 3.3-mile, $137 million Detroit streetcar system. M-1 Rail’s construction manager/general contractor, Stacy and Witbeck, along with Detroit-based utility contractor Blaze Contracting Inc. started relocating a catch basin at … Continue reading M-1 Rail begins utility relocation work in Detroit →

01/10/14

From M-Live.com: Ann Arbor officials are preparing to launch a major study looking at options for a new Amtrak station somewhere in the city. Meanwhile, efforts to make Ann Arbor to Detroit commuter rail a reality in another two to three years are still underway. The city of Ann Arbor has hired consultant URS Corp. for … Continue reading Options for new Amtrak station in Ann Arbor being explored in new study →

01/10/14

Extreme winter weather the first week of January 2014 cancelled hundreds of flights and slowed the highways to a crawl,  however, Amtrak passenger train service in Michigan experienced relatively few problems. WLS-TV, the ABC affiliate in Chicago, reported that Wolverine train no. 353 was stuck in the snow on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014 near Kalamazoo. The … Continue reading Winter weather affected some passenger trains →

01/02/14

On Dec. 26, 2013, the Detroit Free Press marked the 100th anniversary of the Michigan Central Station in Detroit with a series of articles and photo galleries on its website. The station was rushed into service on Dec. 26, 1913 after a fire severely damaged the station it was scheduled to replace. The Beaux Arts … Continue reading Detroit Free Press articles mark the 100th anniversary of the Michigan Central Station →

12/30/13

From Trains Magazine: Amtrak will being offering free Wi-Fi on eight corridors in the Midwest in early 2014. Amtrak is now installing the equipment on railcars under contracts with the states of Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin. The Wi-Fi service will be provided on these routes: Lincoln Service: Chicago-Springfield-St. Louis (expanding to all four round-trips) … Continue reading Amtrak to roll out Wi-Fi on Midwest corridor trains →

12/30/13

From Progressive Railroading: CSX Transportation has filed with the Federal Railroad       Administration to deactivate the signals on its Plymouth Subdivision in       central Michigan, its second such recent filing in the state. The former       Pere Marquette line runs between Grand Rapids and Plymouth, a distance of       about 120 miles. The railroad seeks to remove 51       dispatcher-controlled … Continue reading CSX files to deactivate signals on second Michigan line →

12/21/13

From Progressive Railroading: The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has issued a “Notice of Intent to Award” to Siemens USA to design, build and deliver 35 new diesel-electric locomotives on behalf of state transportation departments in Illinois, California, Michigan, Washington and Missouri, IDOT officials announced Dec. 19, 2013. The announcement means that Illinois, which is … Continue reading Multi-state locomotive acquisition moves forward →

12/19/13

Due to strong demand, Amtrak is adding additional Wolverine Service trains between Michigan and Chicago to provide expanded December and January holiday travel options. Passengers should book their tickets now for best availability and pricing. Amtrak will offer an additional eastbound and an additional westbound Wolverine Service train between Chicago and Ann Arbor on December … Continue reading Extra Kalamazoo/Ann Arbor Amtrak trains offered again this holiday season →

11/29/13

From NBC News: The question is one you may have asked yourself while standing in line at the  airport or when trying not to scream in frustration while sitting on the tarmac  waiting to take off: If airlines know there will be a surge of passengers during  the holidays, why don’t they add capacity in … Continue reading Why don’t airlines just add more flights at the holidays? →

11/29/13

From Crain’s Detroit Business: Troy officials expect to present an offer today to reacquire the city’s transit center site from Farmington Hills-based Grand/Sakwa Properties LLC for $550,000 after the Michigan Supreme Court turned away its latest appeal in the long-running land dispute. The high court this week denied Troy’s application for leave to appeal a … Continue reading State Supreme Court denies Troy transit center appeal →

11/29/13

From the Detroit Free Press: The Michigan Supreme Court apparently put an end to the City of Troy’s fight against having to pay for the land under its new Troy Transit Center. The ruling, issued Monday but not made public until today, means the city’s multiyear legal battle with a shopping center developer has probably … Continue reading High court rebuffs Troy in transit land case →

11/26/13

From Trains News Wire: CSX  Transportation has filed with the Federal Railroad Administration to deactivate  the signals on its Saginaw Subdivision in eastern Michigan. The former Pere  Marquette line runs between Mount Morris, just north of Flint, and Plymouth, a  distance of about 55 miles. The railroad seeks to remove 67  dispatcher-controlled signals, 20 automatic … Continue reading CSX files to deactivate signals on Michigan line →

11/25/13

From an Amtrak press release: In further anticipation of its busiest travel season, Amtrak is adding another round-trip to and from Holland, Mich., on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. The holiday is the busiest travel week of the year, and to accommodate the expected surge of riders, Amtrak will operate every available passenger rail car in its … Continue reading Amtrak announces an extra Pere Marquette round-trip for Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013 →

11/25/13

In anticipation of its busiest travel week of the year, Amtrak is adding 18 additional trains to operate to and from Michigan during the Thanksgiving holiday season. The holiday is the busiest travel week of the year, and to accommodate the expected surge of riders, Amtrak will operate every available passenger rail car in its fleet … Continue reading Extra trains to run during Thanksgiving week →

11/21/13

From WXYZ-TV: More than 100 people riding an Amtrak train were stranded near the Indiana-Michigan border after the train stalled out Wednesday night. Officials tell us the 354 Wolverine train, which departed from Chicago Union Station last night, was stuck on the tracks for more than 5 hours. The train apparently suffered a mechanical problem … Continue reading Amtrak train stalls out near Michigan-Indiana border on Nov. 20 , 2013 →

11/21/13

The following two press releases were issued the week of Nov. 19, 2013 about the cancellation of the Agawa Canyon Snow Train in Ontario: CN announces cancelation of Agawa Canyon Snow Train CN – today announced that it is terminating operation of the Agawa Canyon Snow Train because the seasonal excursion service is incurring rising operating … Continue reading Agawa Canyon Snow Train cancelled →

11/20/13

From Trains Magazine: Watco  Transportation Services has reached an agreement to make a “preferred equity  investment” in Federated Capital Holdings, owner of the 400-mile Great Lakes  Central Railroad. The deal has the possibility of reuniting the old Ann Arbor  Railroad main line, which has not operated as a single railroad in more than 30  years. … Continue reading Watco acquires stake in Great Lakes Central →

11/20/13

From WZZM: Passengers say their trip on Amtrak from Chicago to Grand Rapids has been delayed by storm damage — several times. A viewer on the train called the WZZM 13 Information Center around 3 a.m. Monday, to report the train was stopped on the tracks one mile south of the Holland Amtrak station at … Continue reading Storm damage strands Holland Amtrak riders →

11/20/13

From the Chicago Sun-Times: An Amtrak train on its way from Chicago to Detroit was delayed for more than six hours because of a flat wheel Sunday night. Wolverine Line train No. 354, carrying 254 passengers, was scheduled to depart Chicago at 6 p.m. and left about 30 minutes late, according to Amtrak spokesman Steve … Continue reading Amtrak train with flat wheel delayed six hours →

11/15/13

Starting Nov. 15, 2013, the Michigan Flyer -AirRide shuttle expands service on its route between East Lansing, Ann Arbor and Detroit Metro Airport (DTW)—just in time to accommodate holiday season travelers. The new schedule will increase the frequency of service from eight to 12 trips a day on the segment between East Lansing and Ann … Continue reading Michigan Flyer-AirRide expands service frequency →

11/15/13

The Steam Railroading Institute announced the return of the historic Pere Marquette 1225 Locomotive to the rails in time for the Holiday Season for its North Pole Express service. The Steam Railroad Institute takes passengers from Owosso to the village of Ashley’s Country Christmas, a late 1940’s Christmas village, offering live entertainment, music, food, games, shopping, elves, reindeer, … Continue reading Pere Marquette 1225 back in service →

11/15/13

From Bloomberg. Please visit http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-11-14/amtrak-serving-free-wine-to-steak-loses-millions-on-food.html to comment on this story. Amtrak, the U.S. taxpayer-supported passenger railroad, is losing tens of millions of dollars a year on food and beverage service even after years of cost cutting, its inspector general said. Almost all of last year’s $72 million in food-service losses were from providing meals on long-distance … Continue reading Amtrak Serving Free Wine to Steak Loses Millions on Food →

11/15/13

From the Detroit Free Press: If the train has seemed crowded lately, you are right. Amtrak’s U.S. ridership soared to a record 31.6 million passengers between Oct. 1, 2012, and Sept. 30, 2013. Its Michigan trains also did well, with 804,697 passengers on the Wolverine, Blue Water and Pere Marquette lines. The popular Wolverine line … Continue reading Train travel on the upswing in Michigan, U.S. →

11/12/13

From The New York Times: When Hurricane Sandy swept across railroad beds in the Northeast last year, Amtrak went quiet. Officials at the nation’s railroad scrambled to repair the damage that stretched the length of the huge storm. Amtrak in the region was out for a week. And disruptions continued along the popular Boston to Washington corridor for … Continue reading NY Times editorial: Amtrak not a money pit after all →

11/12/13

From AnnArbor.com: Ann Arbor officials are moving full steam ahead with a study that will look closely at options for building a new Amtrak station in the city. The City Council voted 11-0 early Tuesday morning (Oct. 21, 2013) to approve an $824,875 contract with URS Corp. to undertake the so-called Ann Arbor Station Environmental … Continue reading Ann Arbor hires consultant to study possible locations for new Amtrak station →

10/17/13

From an Amtrak Press Release: Amtrak has successfully negotiated contracts with 19 state transportation departments and other entities to increase state control and funding of 28 current passenger rail routes. America’s Railroad® is now poised to move forward with state partners to further expand and improve the intercity passenger rail network. “We thank these state … Continue reading Amtrak and states reach agreement to preserve state corridor trains →

10/16/13

For Fiscal Year Ending Sept. 30, 2013 From an Amtrak press release: Amtrak carried a record 31.6 million passengers in Fiscal Year 2013, delivering nationwide benefits, providing vital transportation services, advancing America’s economy and demonstrating the value and convenience of the national passenger rail network. It is the tenth ridership record in 11 years. “Amtrak … Continue reading AMTRAK SETS RIDERSHIP RECORD →

10/15/13

From the Port Huron Times Herald: The train will be leaving Port Huron a little earlier starting Oct. 14. The start of the third phase of a track improvement project will bump the Port Huron westbound train departure time from 6:20 a.m. to 5:20 a.m., according to Marc Magliari, spokesman for Amtrak. Amtrak Blue Water … Continue reading Amtrak will leave Port Huron earlier →

10/15/13

From Crain’s Detroit Business: The M-1 Rail streetcar project has told potential vehicle vendors it intends to execute a contract by Dec. 1, according to bid documents on the project’s website. The $137 million nonprofit M-1 Rail effort is seeking a company to design, engineer and manufacture six streetcars for use on the 3.2-mile grade-level … Continue reading M-1 Rail to bidders: Contract will begin Dec. 1; streetcar service will begin February 2016 →

10/06/13

From The Lansing State Journal: EAST LANSING — “Train 365 westbound, now arriving.” The announcer’s voice stopped soft chatter outside East Lansing’s Amtrak station as the Friday morning train pulled up to the platform. Passengers destined for a long weekend in Chicago, or points in between, rolled their luggage to the open coach doors. Conductors … Continue reading Amtrak, Michigan spending millions on upgrades to boost riders, cut subsidies →

10/05/13

From Progressive Railroading Daily News: City of Detroit officials have awarded a contract to Parsons Brinckerhoff for design review and construction quality assurance services for the Woodward Avenue Streetcar project. The firm will assist the city with reviews of the project’s design plans, criteria manual and specifications, Parsons Brinckerhoff officials said in a press release. … Continue reading Detroit awards design, quality assurance contract for streetcar line →

09/30/13

The second of three Michigan track improvement phases for the 2013 construction season begins between Jackson and Battle Creek on Sept. 30. While the project will cause some delays and modified schedules, the result will be upgraded tracks and more reliable service for Amtrak Wolverine Service and Blue Water trains as part of the Accelerated … Continue reading TRACK IMPROVEMENT PROJECT MOVES WEST – Modified schedules affect some weekday Wolverine trains →

09/24/13

From Progressive Railroading: Officials with Detroit’s M-1 Rail have appointed a 25-member Business Advisory Council to represent businesses and other institutions located along Woodward Avenue, where the new streetcar system will operate. The council will help identify ways to minimize the impact of construction on businesses; provide advice during construction to help M-1 Rail reduce … Continue reading M-1 Rail sets up business council to advise construction process →

09/17/13

From mlive.com: Amtrak railroad repair enhancements will close four railroad crossings in Ypsilanti during the week of Sept. 16. Ypsilanti’s Department of Public Service’s Director Stan Kirton said the following crossings will be shut down temporarily: 203 N. Grove on Monday, Sept. 16 219 N. Park Street – Tuesday, Sept. 17 23 E. Forest Avenue … Continue reading Amtrak repairs to shut down railroad crossings in Ypsilanti →

09/10/13

From CMU-Life: While Central Michigan University attempts to extend its recruiting reach farther out-of-state, the biggest headache for the university could be getting students to campus when they do. Senior Associate Director of Admissions Kevin Williams said his staff is now expanding its midwest recruiting and targeting, and beginning to recruit from states on the … Continue reading Columnist: Public transportation major roadblock in recruiting out-of-state students →

09/10/13

From The Detroit News: By Donna Terek Can a bus company that owns only six buses make a significant difference in Detroit? If you ask Andy Didorosi, the answer is yes. This summer his Detroit Bus Co. began tackling the problem of getting more Detroit kids to take advantage of the summer and after-school programs … Continue reading Columnist: Detroit Bus Co. moving in the right direction →

09/09/13

Mondays through Thursdays, Only September 9-12, 16-19 and 23-26, 2013 The first of three phases of a Michigan track improvement project for the 2013 construction season begins on September 9. While it will cause some service and schedule changes, the result will be improved ride quality and more reliable service for the Wolverine Service and … Continue reading Modified schedules affect some weekday Wolverine trains beginning Sept. 9, 2013 →

09/03/13

BY Brad Flory on m-live.com: This city sometimes seems more skilled at tearing down what’s left of its assets than at building them up. The Sheraton Hotel, Jackson’s main fruit of 1960s urban renewal, was ripped down in the spring, after a generation of civic efforts failed to deliver new life to the building. The … Continue reading Column: Whatever happened to the gloriously refurbished train station for downtown Jackson? →

09/03/13

Starting Sept. 6, bicycles will be accepted aboard the Amtrak Blue Water (Trains 364 & 365), a service sponsored by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) that operates daily between Port Huron and Chicago via East Lansing and Kalamazoo. Uniquely in the Midwest, railcars on the Blue Water have been modified to create an area … Continue reading Bikes allowed on Port Huron-Lansing-Chicago route beginning Sept. 6. →

09/03/13

From The Toronto Sun: Around the world there is a quiet revolution brewing. Everywhere except Canada, that is. It’s based on shared principles and cuts across all political divides by uniting disparate communities through a single, common goal. No, it’s not a religion, faith or creed. It wants a return to railways as an efficient … Continue reading Group pushes for railway expansion in Canada →

09/03/13

From M-Live.com: Amtrak passengers will be able to catch up on email and surf the web while riding trains through Michigan starting next year. The Michigan Department of Transportation is spending about $1 million to install Wi-Fi by January. MDOT anticipates the service will lead to increased ridership and revenues that should more than offset … Continue reading Michigan Amtrak trains to get Wi-Fi →

08/29/13

From Crain’s Detroit Business: The nonprofit M1 Rail effort said this week it tentatively plans to issue a request for proposals by no later than the end of October for streetcars to operate on the $137 million Woodward Avenue line in Detroit. M1 CAO Heather Carmona told attendees at the Michigan Rail Conference in Lansing … Continue reading M1 Rail streetcar RFPs in the works, will be issued by October →

08/25/13

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Trains from Milwaukee to Chicago and St. Paul, Minn., may be faster and more frequent in the near future, as Amtrak and transportation departments in Wisconsin and neighboring states study the possibility of expanding service on regional routes. Encouraged by ridership that has doubled over the past decade and standing-room-only … Continue reading Amtrak considers expanding Hiawatha and Empire Builder lines →

08/22/13

From AnnArbor.com: When Susan Greenberg graduated from Lincoln Consolidated Schools, she took a trip via rail to Washington, D.C., to celebrate. Greenberg boarded that train in Ypsilanti’s Depot Town. Now, almost 60 years later, Greenberg once again got the chance to board a passenger train in Depot Town. The demonstration passenger rail car she boarded … Continue reading Commuter rail showcased in Ypsilanti →

08/21/13

From CBC News: Two Boblo boats have landed a role in Transformers 4. The S.S. Columbia and her sister the S.S. Ste. Clair, both docked in River Rouge, are being used as props. The Columbia ferried people to the island amusement park from 1902 to 1991. The Ste. Clair did so from 1910 to 1991. … Continue reading Historic Boblo boats land movie role →

08/13/13

From Progressive Railroad: M-1 Rail,  the nonprofit organization overseeing the 3.3-mile Woodward Avenue streetcar project in Detroit, announced today it has selected Stacy and Witbeck Inc. to be the line’s construction manager and general contractor. M-1 Rail also announced that a ground-breaking is slated for early fall between Larned Street and Adams Street in downtown … Continue reading M-1 Rail contracts Stacy and Witbeck to manage Detroit’s streetcar construction →

08/13/13

From Crain’s Detroit Business: At the current pace of construction, there is a good chance Troy will be finished with its transit center project before the Michigan courts can say the same. And if the center opens near Maple Road and Coolidge Highway next month with the legal question of ownership unresolved, the city could … Continue reading Troy Transit Center moves ahead despite more legal challenges →

07/29/13

From Michigan Radio: There’s no doubt about it, more of us are climbing aboard Amtrak trains than ever before. The three lines that Amtrak runs in Michigan are often packed, especially that Detroit to Chicago Wolverine Line. Come this October, the State of Michigan’s tab for Amtrak will jump. The subsidy will go from $8 … Continue reading Michigan’s Amtrak subsidy will see a huge jump in October →

07/16/13

From the Advisor/Source Newspapers: Imagine life without highways, traffic lights and gas stations, when the way you traveled in Macomb County was via a leisurely train ride. The Michigan Transit Museum offers nostalgic weekend rail trips for those curious about this laidback mode of transportation. The 40-minute journey begins at Joy Park in Clinton Township … Continue reading Michigan Transit Museum marks 40th anniversary →

07/14/13

From M-Live/ BridgeMI Magazine: Riding the rails in Michigan hasn’t been this good for a long time. More passengers are boarding Amtrak trains on its three lines in the state. Many trains now run over 110-mph-capable track. And work will begin later this summer to bring even more track up to 110-mph speeds. Yet, come … Continue reading Rail group proposes surge in seats for high-speed line →

07/08/13

From Deadline Detroit: The new train station that is emerging on Michigan Avenue in west Dearborn appears to have a grandeur that wasn’t immediately visible in architectural renderings. It will easily be the largest operating rail station in southeast Michigan. Construction has been underway for several months; the building is expected to be completed in … Continue reading The Future Of Metro Detroit Rail Travel Is Taking Shape In Dearborn →

06/29/13

From M-live.com: Michigan Flyer will add four new routes from the Lansing area to the Ann Arbor after a local governmental board signed off on delivering a federal grant for the expanded service. The Tri-County Regional Planning Commission on Wednesday, June 26, 2013, approved awarding $595,680 in federal funds to the busing company by a … Continue reading Commission narrowly approves federal funding to expand Michigan Flyer →

06/29/13

From AnnArbor.com: The vision for a high-capacity transit system in Ann Arbor — either light rail, streetcar or bus rapid transit — is taking shape with preliminary route alternatives now mapped. Officials behind the Ann Arbor Connector project have released documents showing a series of possible options for connecting some of the city’s major activity … Continue reading Ann Arbor’s vision for high-capacity transit taking shape with possible Connector routes mapped →

06/21/13

From The Grand Rapids Press: The city has extended a parking-lot lease with Megabus.com for one more year. The bus service that sells rides for as little as $1 will pay $2,000 per month through June 2014 to use a city-owned lot at the southwest corner of Wealthy Street and Market Avenue SW for passenger … Continue reading Megabus lease of Grand Rapids parking lot gets extension →

06/20/13

From The Grand Rapids Press: More than a year and a half after its official groundbreaking ceremony, Grand Rapids’ new Amtrak station finally is being built. Crews began moving earth this week to prepare for the $5.1 million facility’s construction after more than a year of delays pushed back the highly anticipated project’s start date. … Continue reading Work begins on Grand Rapids’ $5.1 million Amtrak station →

06/17/13

From AnnArbor.com: Nick Tobier and his 3-year-old son Oscar weren’t planning on getting on a train Friday, but after passing by the railcar parked in downtown Ann Arbor, they had to check it out. “It’s fantastic, we love it,” Tobier said, while Oscar offered a one-word review of the refurbished railcar for the proposed Ann … Continue reading Ann Arbor mayor: Commuter rail to Detroit can happen in 3 years with regional support →

06/13/13

Indian Trails adds Flint-Detroit-Bay City route From M-Live: Indian Trails, a 100-year-old motor coach company, recently announced the addition of a new Bay City- Flint-Detroit route to its schedule following the news that Greyhound will discontinue its Flint and Detroit bus routes in late June. The Owosso-based bus company – which operates dozens of routes … Continue reading Greyhound pulls out of Flint, Detroit →

06/08/13

From an Indian Trails press release: Indian Trails, which operates 33 scheduled motorcoach routes throughout Michigan and into Chicago and Milwaukee, has added a new Bay City- Flint-Detroit route, significantly increasing transportation options for communities between those cities—as well as those along the Lake Huron shoreline between Bay City and St. Ignace. The new route … Continue reading Indian Trails begins new Bay City-Flint-Detroit route →

05/28/13

From AnnArbor.com: An Amtrak passenger train struck a semitrailer carrying kayaks on the tracks near North Maple Road and Huron River Drive in Ann Arbor Township Saturday afternoon. No one was injured in the crash, which occurred about 12:50 p.m., said Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Derrick Jackson. The train struck the semitrailer, splitting it … Continue reading Amtrak train strikes semi-trailer in Ann Arbor Township →

05/15/13

From the Port Huron Times-Herald:   Fort Gratiot resident Jeff Melvin takes a train to the University of Michigan-Flint campus twice a week. The round trip from Port Huron to Flint costs him $6. He likes to sit in the café car in the morning on the way to classes, chatting with the hostess and … Continue reading Port Huron is getting onboard with train travel →

05/15/13

From WSJM-AM 1400 & FM 94.9: Spring cleaning is underway in Dowagiac. Choir Instructor for Dowagiac Union Schools Jeff Robinson and his students volunteered their time May 8 to clean the historic Dowagiac train depot. The group washed all 110 windows. The effort was coordinated by Ron Leatz, a volunteer of the Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers. … Continue reading Students Clean Dowagiac Train Depot →

05/15/13

MARP Board Member Jim Wallington and Sandy Duffy were guests on the Paul Miller show on WPHM 1380 AM. They spoke about National Train Day and the current state of passenger rail in Michigan. Click the link below to listen: http://www.wphm.net/play_window.php?audioType=Episode&audioId=6371853

05/15/13

Design, build contract to be given May 24 From Crain’s Detroit Business: Organizers of the M1 Rail streetcar system plan to award the primary contract to design and build the $137 million transit line in less than two weeks. Bids to become the construction manager and general contractor for the Detroit project on Woodward Avenue … Continue reading M1 Rail bids ready to leave the station →

04/15/13

From The Grand Rapids Press: Ten years of planning. Ten years of patience and hoping, years marked by defeat and success alike. Now, finally, a tangible part of Grand Rapids’ forthcoming $40-million bus rapid transit Silver Line is beginning to show. Work began April 1 on the first of 33 stations that will line Division Avenue and … Continue reading After years of planning, bus rapid transit begins taking shape in Grand Rapids →

04/12/13

Amtrak ridership increased in the first half of FY 2013 (Oct. 2012 – March 2013) and March set a record as the single best month ever in the history of the railroad. In addition, October, December, and January each set individual monthly records. Rebounding strongly from service disruptions caused by Superstorm Sandy and other severe … Continue reading Amtrak is setting even more ridership records →

04/05/13

With the 3.4-mile Woodward Avenue light rail project expected to break ground this summer, conversation has begun to shift toward how to efficiently extend transit along the corridor beyond Detroit’s city limits. A handful of community meetings scheduled this month will discuss plans to extend an alternative mode of transportation for the 27-mile route from … Continue reading Planners seek community input in implementing bus rapid transit from Detroit to Pontiac →

03/31/13

Edited from the Northwest Indiana Times: South Shore and Michigan Amtrak train service resumed Saturday morning following a halt in operations overnight March 29, 2013 because of a freight train derailment in Gary. About 35 cars in a 104-car Canadian National train derailed about 2:30 a.m. near Broadway north of the South Shore tracks, CN spokesman … Continue reading Freight train derailment in Gary causes short halt of South Shore and Amtrak →

03/31/13

From AnnArbor.com: Local officials working on the WALLY commuter rail project say city-owned property at 415 W. Washington St. is a potential site for a future downtown Ann Arbor train station. “The 415 site is a candidate, but is not the only possibility,” said Michael Benham, the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority’s strategic planner. Benham said … Continue reading Officials eye future downtown Ann Arbor train station →

03/31/13

From The Port Huron Times-Herald: An Amtrak locomotive that went off the rails just east of the 24th Street viaduct will stay there for a few days while the incident remains under investigation. The trailing locomotive derailed shortly after departure from the Amtrak station on 16th Street at around 6:20 a.m., said Marc Magliari, Amtrak … Continue reading Amtrak investigates engine derailment in Port Huron →

01/29/13

From The Kalamazoo Gazette: Folks catching a bus or a train in Kalamazoo have a new resource to monitor arrival and departure times. A small press event was held Tuesday to announce the new boards at the Kalamazoo Transportation Center. The boards have departure and arrival times for Amtrak trains, Indian Trails and Metro Transit … Continue reading New departure, arrival boards unveiled at Kalamazoo Transportation Center →

01/29/13

From The Detroit News: Michigan’s costs for passenger rail service will quadruple this fall under a  federal act requiring the state to subsidize its busiest Amtrak route. The 4-year-old law shifts an annual subsidy of about $25 million from the  federal government to the state. Added to the $8 million Michigan provides for its other … Continue reading Michigan’s costs for Amtrak to spike →

01/25/13

From The Michigan Daily: Only months after the failure of the Washtenaw Initiative, a county-wide transit authority championed by the Ann Arbor Transit Authority, Ann Arbor City Council members are resisting involvement in the Southeastern Michigan Regional Transit Authority. In the last week of 2012, Republican Gov. Rick Snyder passed legislation for the creation of … Continue reading Regional Transit Authority sparks dissent in Ann Arbor →

01/22/13

From a US DOT Press Release: U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood  announced Jan. 18 that the M-1 Rail project can move forward immediately using the $25 million TIGER grant previously awarded for transit in Detroit. These funds support construction of a planned 3.3-mile streetcar line to help revitalize Detroit’s historic Woodward Avenue corridor. M-1 Rail, … Continue reading $25 million announced for Woodward streetcar project in Detroit →

01/16/13

From AnnArbor.com: The Kansas-based company taking over the Ann Arbor Railroad says it’s open to talking about future commuter rail service and the vision for a greenway trail system along the tracks. After years of poor relations with the railroad’s current owner, the Howell-based Ann Arbor Acquisition Corp., Ann Arbor officials are calling the promise … Continue reading Ann Arbor officials hope new railroad ownership could boost commuter rail, greenway plans →

01/10/13

From the Port Huron Times-Herald: Talks to move Port Huron’s Amtrak station closer to the Thomas Edison Inn have ended. Amtrak has decided it will replace the current building at its existing location, 2223 16th St., said Marc Magliari, Amtrak media relations manager. “It’s not practical to serve Port Huron from the waterfront,” Magliari said. … Continue reading Port Huron Amtrak station won’t be moving →

12/15/12

Due to strong demand, Amtrak is adding additional Wolverine Service trains between Michigan and Chicago to provide expanded December weekend travel options. Passengers should book their tickets now for best availability and pricing. Amtrak will offer an additional eastbound and an additional westbound Wolverine Service train between Chicago and Ann Arbor on December 21, 22 … Continue reading Amtrak adding trains in Michigan for Christmas holiday travel →

12/09/12

December 7, 2012 — The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Norfolk Southern Railway Co. (NS) today signed a sale agreement that transfers ownership of 135 miles of NS railroad to MDOT for $140 million. The line is part of Amtrak’s Wolverine and Blue Water passenger rail services between Kalamazoo and … Continue reading MDOT, FRA and NS sign an agreement for transfer of 135 miles of NS railroad to MDOT ownership →

12/07/12

From Ann Arbor.com: A vacant train depot in Ypsilanti near Depot Town is a target of the Downtown Development Authority, which is considering creating a policy to address bank-owned and habitually vacant properties. City Planner Teresa Gillotti said the building is secure and a recent tour of it showed there are no issues with the … Continue reading Ypsilanti train depot: One target of proposed DDA policy to revitalize vacant properties →

12/03/12

From the Detroit Free Press: It’s well known that before Rick Snyder became the governor of Michigan, he was an accountant, business executive and venture capitalist. But for two years in the 1980s, he also was a daily commuter, riding the rails from the sleepy village of Barrington, Ill., to downtown Chicago, where he was … Continue reading Governor Snyder may be key to mass transit in Metro Detroit →

11/28/12

From MLive: Officials broke ground Tuesday on the Troy Transit Center, a federally funded project that at one point appeared dead amid opposition from now-recalled Mayor Janice Daniels. The 28,000-square-foot center will replace an old Amtrak station on a 2.4-acre site at Maple Road and Coolidge Highway. Officials hope the $6.3 million project will be … Continue reading Troy Transit Center construction begins →

11/28/12

From MLive: Transit advocates rejoiced Tuesday over the state Senate’s passage of legislation that would create a regional transportation authority for southeast Michigan. A number of Detroit-area public transportation projects depend on the legislation, including the planned M-1 streetcar development that would stretch from Detroit’s Downtown to the city’s New Center. And construction began Tuesday … Continue reading Transit advocates rejoice after regional authority clears Senate →

11/28/12

From The London Free Press: More than 2,000 signatures have been collected in an effort to reverse Via Rail service cuts in Sarnia. Members of the Sarnia-Lambton Federal Liberal Association launched the “Save Our Train” campaign in October after service cutbacks resulting from dwindling ridership were announced this summer. Via Rail now has only one … Continue reading Thousands of Canadians sign rail cut petition →

11/28/12

From Crain’s Chicago Business: Federal and state officials are making it official today: Illinois will be  the place that builds the next generation of passenger railroad cars. In a press conference later today, Gov. Pat Quinn and U.S.  Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood are to announce that Nippon Sharyo’s  Rochelle plant has been awarded a $352 … Continue reading Rochelle plant wins $352 million passenger rail car contract →

11/15/12

From Detroit Public Radio, WDET-FM: Metro Detroit has struggled for years to establish a regional transit system, but one group is trying to visualize how a new system might work. Freshwater Transit is the brainchild of Neil Greenberg, who has outlined a series of imaginary rail and bus routes which could connect the city of … Continue reading Working Toward Making Regional Transit a Possibility →

11/13/12

If you thought you saw bi-level commuter rail cars along the railroads between Pontiac and Jackson Nov. 10-14, 2012, you weren’t seeing things. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) in conjunction with the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments were testing the cars in anticipation of future service. MARP photographer Steve Sobel caught the test train … Continue reading MDOT tests commuter cars →

11/12/12

From the Detroit Free Press: Shiny, refurbished stainless steel rail cars will begin making their way along tracks between Pontiac and Jackson today as state and local officials move ahead with proposals to establish commuter rail service between Detroit and Ann Arbor and in Washtenaw and Livingston counties. The Michigan Department of Transportation and the … Continue reading Testing moves metro Detroit closer to a commuter rail →

11/08/12

In anticipation of its busiest travel week of the year, Amtrak is adding an Illinois round-trip train originating at mid-day on Nov. 25, the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Amtrak will offer one additional eastbound (Train 384) and one additional westbound (Train 385) frequency on the Chicago-Quincy corridor, via Galesburg and Macomb. Ordinarily, Amtrak originates two daily … Continue reading Amtrak adds a train trip Nov. 25 to Chicago-Quincy corridor →

11/08/12

In anticipation of its busiest travel week of  2012, Amtrak is adding more trains between Chicago and Michigan for Thanksgiving week. The passenger railroad encourages passengers to plan ahead for Thanksgiving travel and book their tickets now for best availability and pricing. The busiest travel days that are likely to sell out are the Tuesday and … Continue reading Amtrak is scheduling more train service in Michigan for Thanksgiving travel →

11/07/12

From the Detroit Free Press: Troy Mayor Janice Daniels said being recalled from office is a burden removed. The day after Troy voters  removed the controversial mayor from office, Daniels expressed relief at the outcome. The recall passed Tuesday,  52%-48%. “I’m going to have a great burden lifted off of my shoulders because I won’t … Continue reading Troy mayor recalled for opposing transit center →

11/07/12

From The Flint Journal: Ray Knag closed the envelope on his train ticket before tucking it in the inside pocket of his jacket. The Grand Blanc resident and University of Michigan-Flint graduate student was waiting for the 7:10 a.m. train on the Blue Water line, which he takes twice a week to go to work … Continue reading Amtrak ridership continues to rise →

10/22/12

From  AnnArbor.com: As the federal government makes hundreds of millions of dollars in high-speed rail improvements along the Detroit-to-Chicago corridor, Ann Arbor is putting its own money on the table. The Ann Arbor City Council decided Oct. 15 to spend another $550,000 from its general fund cash reserves to study options for a new Amtrak … Continue reading Ann Arbor agrees to spend $550K for next phase of work on new Amtrak train station →

10/22/12

From The Royal Oak Daily Tribune: Amtrak service has been restored but may be behind schedule slightly as investigators try to determine why the eastbound Wolverine No. 350 train derailed Sunday near Niles, hurting two crew and seven passengers. The train service between Chicago and Pontiac was disrupted Sunday following the 10:10 a.m. derailment, which … Continue reading Amtrak derailment probe could effect schedule →

10/22/12

From the Detroit Free Press: Federal officials expect their investigation into a southwestern Michigan train derailment that injured about a dozen people to take six months to a year. National Transportation Safety Board railroad investigator Michael Flanigon spoke today at a news conference in nearby South Bend, Ind. WSBT-TV reports he says there are measurements … Continue reading Michigan Amtrak train derailment probe to take months, feds say →

10/21/12

From WSBT-TV: At least 7 people were taken to the hospital after an Amtrakpassenger train derailed late Sunday morning in Niles. It happened shortly before 10:30 a.m. a half-mile north of the Jerry Tyler Memorial Airport. The derailment was at the intersection of Terminal Rd. and Renaissance Dr. 169 people, passengers and crew were onboard. … Continue reading Amtrak train #350 from Chicago derails near Niles, Michigan →

10/17/12

From MLive.com: More than 25,000 Michigan State University alumni live in the Chicago area. Now, MSU is partnering with several Greater Lansing organizations to bring them back for sporting events and special occasions. Beginning the weekend of Nov. 16, the newly-created Spartan Line will bring MSU alumni from the Chicago area back to East Lansing … Continue reading Spartan Line train to carry Michigan State alumni between East Lansing, Chicago →

10/17/12

From MLive.com: The solution to Detroit’s mass transportation deficiencies begins with revising misconceptions that  municipalities operate as independent islands, Gov. Rick Snyder said at a press conference Monday. And altering that mindset begins with the creation of a Southeastern Michigan Transportation Authority. Doing so might entail some additional perks for Detroiters, says U.S. Secretary of … Continue reading LaHood: Feds to donate millions to Detroit’s streetcar project if ‘community can get its act together’ →

10/12/12

 31.2 million passengers best ever, On-time performance up Amtrak carried more than 31.2 million passengers in Fiscal Year 2012 ending September 30, marking the highest annual ridership total since America’s Railroad® started operations in 1971 and the ninth ridership record during the last ten years. A year-over-year comparison of FY 2012 to FY 2011 shows … Continue reading AMTRAK SETS NEW RIDERSHIP RECORD →

10/12/12

From AnnArbor.com: Ann Arbor voters could get to decide whether the city should go forward with building a new Amtrak train station if a resolution on Monday’s City Council agendais approved. But whether the resolution will pass is yet to be determined — it involves taking up to $550,000 from the city’s general fund cash … Continue reading Ann Arbor officials want to let voters decide if city should build new Amtrak train station →

09/28/12

From Progressive Railroading: On Sept. 26, 2012, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) issued a “notice of intent to award” to Sumitomo Corp. of America for the design, production and delivery of 130 bi-level passenger-rail cars for use in intercity rail corridors in California and the Midwest. Caltrans issued the notice, which signifies that a … Continue reading California, Midwest DOTs issue notice on passenger train contract →

09/28/12

From the Dearborn Press & Guide: The Federal Railroad Administration and Michigan, Indiana and Illinois departments of transportation are looking at ways to improve Amtrak service between Pontiac and Chicago. To that end, the four held two Chicago-Detroit/Pontiac Passenger Rail Corridor Program public meetings Wednesday at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotels Detroit-Dearborn, had two more … Continue reading Government seeking feedback on high-speed rail plan →

09/20/12

From: M-Live: For Michigan train passengers en route to or from Chicago, years of patience amid myriad delays and congestion in the nation’s most clogged rail corridor might finally be paying off. Michigan rail leaders last week cheered news the federal government had awarded Indiana $71.3 million to reduce congestion along nearly 30 miles of … Continue reading Anaylsis: Michigan eyes fewer Amtrak, freight train delays between Chicago, but questions persist →

09/20/12

From The Jackson Citizen-Patriot: Hours at Jackson’s Amtrak train station moved up a half hour due to a change in the travel schedule, starting Sept. 10. New hours for the station, 501 E. Michigan Ave., are 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. seven days a week, said service station agent Brian Karhoff. The first daily westbound train from … Continue reading Jackson’s Amtrak train station changes hours →

09/14/12

From The Windsor Star: First impressions are often everything. And with Windsor’s new Via rail train station opening its doors to travellers for the first time Tuesday, those looking around described it as a long overdue beautification, not only for locals who ride the rails, but also as an important eye-catching first appearance for those … Continue reading New Windsor Via rail station opens its doors to rave reviews →

09/13/12

USDOT press release: U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today awarded $71.3 million to the State of Indiana to help alleviate congestion in one of the region’s most delay-prone rail corridors. The Indiana Gateway Project will both relieve congestion and support the development of higher performing intercity passenger rail service in the Midwest. “The Indiana Gateway … Continue reading $71.3 million awarded to Indiana to reduce passenger rail delays in the midwest →

09/13/12

From The Grand Rapids Press: Starting next week, Amtrak’s Grand Rapids-to-Chicago line will undergo a scheduling tweak that will see a (slightly) later departure time from Michigan. Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari confirmed the Pere Marquette train will depart Grand Rapids at 7:40 a.m. starting Monday, Sept. 17, five minutes later than it does now. The … Continue reading Amtrak tweaks Grand Rapids-to-Chicago train schedule, announces ridership gains on the line →

09/13/12

From the Northwest Indiana Times: Railroad and state officials have reached an agreement on a key project that was holding up progress on a Chicago-to-Detroit high-speed Amtrak rail route. Norfolk Southern and state officials are inking an agreement this week that will secure $71.4 million in federal stimulus funds to pay for eight separate rail … Continue reading Key Detroit-Chicago rail project back in fast lane →

09/08/12

From Michigan Radio: Commuters who make the trek on southbound U-S. 23 to Ann Arbor know a thing or two about traffic congestion. Now a federal grant is breathing new life into a proposed commuter rail system that would connect Ann Arbor with Livingston County. For the past six years, the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority … Continue reading Federal grant boosts Ann Arbor/Livingston County commuter rail project →

09/07/12

From The Detroit News: Star athlete turned entrepreneur Earvin “Magic” Johnson is a part of a group  that submitted a proposal to redevelop the Michigan State Fairgrounds in Detroit  into a site for a movie theater, housing and restaurants. Johnson, the Lansing native, Michigan State basketball great and part owner  of the Los Angeles Dodgers, … Continue reading Amtrak station proposed for former Michigan State Fairgrounds site →

09/06/12

From an Indian Trails press release: Michigan Flyer has been awarded a one-time federal grant of $595,680 to complete the establishment of its new motorcoach route from East Lansing via I-96 and US-23 to Ann Arbor, then to Detroit Metro Airport on I-94 and back. The grant enables the Michigan Flyer to increase from eight … Continue reading Michigan Flyer to offer “near hourly” motorcoach service →

08/22/12

From The Grand Rapids Press: ALLENDALE, MI – Seth Christrup relies on his parents, Eric and Elaine, to drive him to his housekeeping job at The Laurels of Hudsonville nursing home, as well as various social activities. As a person with special needs, the 24-year-old Georgetown Township resident cannot drive to get to where he … Continue reading Grand Rapids to Holland transit system could attract thousands of riders, consultant says →

07/27/12

From The Lansing State Journal: Traveling through East Lansing by train or bus is about to get easier. The city’s train station, which now serves Amtrak passenger rail and Indian Trails and Greyhound bus travelers, is in line for a $10.5 million overhaul that advocates say will improve train, bus and commuter traffic. The project … Continue reading East Lansing Amtrak station gets $6 million federal grant →

07/16/12

From the Sarnia Observer: It’s critical that Sarnia’s Via Rail station remains manned, says Mayor Mike Bradley, who will bring his concerns to city council Monday. “We need to keep a presence at the station and ensure a high level of customer service continues, especially for people with disabilities who may need assistance, or people … Continue reading Sarnia officials fighting Via Rail cuts →

07/16/12

From The Windsor Star: Two local Via Rail workers will lose their jobs in cuts announced in June. Via Rail is eliminating 200 jobs nationwide and reducing train service nationwide. But Windsor Via Rail users were unconcerned Thursday about service cuts that will see four fewer trains coming and going from the area. Windsor is … Continue reading Via Rail cuts means fewer trains to/from Windsor →

07/07/12

From Crain’s Detroit Business: Organizers of the $137 million streetcar plan for Detroit’s Woodward Avenue are assembling a list of private-sector companies to operate the system on a concession basis. Part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s requirement for up to $25 million in capital funding is that it wants a list of potential operators … Continue reading M1 Rail looks for private operator →

07/06/12

From The Toronto Star: Via Rail expects to cut 200 unionized jobs, or about nine per cent of its workforce, as the government-owned passenger rail service reduces trips on lines across the country. No routes are being eliminated, and some in the busy Montreal-Toronto corridor will be increased. But by the end of October, routes … Continue reading Via Rail to axe 200 jobs, adjust service in wake of federal budget cuts →

07/06/12

From AnnArbor.com: The city of Ann Arboris moving ahead with a closer evaluation of its options for building a new Amtrak train station somewhere inside the city limits. That includes consideration of redeveloping the current Amtrak station on Depot Street, as well as the possibility of building a new train station on Fuller Road. The … Continue reading Ann Arbor accepts $2.8M federal grant for new train station but location not yet decided →

07/06/12

From The Grand Rapids Press: Transit competitors of the low-cost Megabus service preparing to roll out a new Michigan routedownplayed news last week of the company’s expansion, saying their time-tested services maintain their customer bases. Megabus got the go-ahead to roll into Grand Rapids last week, allowing it to bring its big, blue buses and … Continue reading With Megabus rolling out new Michigan route, see what its transit competitors are thinking →

07/05/12

From The Charlevoix Courier: A new bus service will roll into Charlevoix on Aug. 1. Charlevoix City Council members unanimously voted Monday to approve an Indian Trails proposal to develop an official bus stop in downtown Charlevoix. The stop will be at the northern end of the Beaver Island Boat Company building on Bridge Park … Continue reading Indian Trails will link passengers to Beaver Island ferry, national train service →

06/21/12

From The Associated Press: A proposed passenger rail system running from downtown Detroit to the city’s New Center area won’t get a $25 million grant that supporters were seeking, but the project remains in the running for equal funding from other programs, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said. In a letter to Roger Penske, who … Continue reading US transit chief: No for now for Detroit rail aid →

06/13/12

From The Oakland Press: After collecting nearly 9,300 signatures from people supporting the recall effort against Troy Mayor Janice Daniels, the Recall Janice Daniels campaign has submitted recall petitions to the Elections Division of the Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds Office. “The conduct of Mayor Daniels provides an overwhelming case for her recall,” states a … Continue reading Recall Troy Mayor Janice Daniels campaign submits petition signatures to elections division →

06/07/12

From Crain’s Detroit Business: U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has given the private consortium seeking to build a $137 million streetcar along Detroit’s Woodward Avenue 60 more days to answer questions about the project’s construction and operational financing before any federal funding will be granted. LaHood today met with the leadership of the M1 Rail … Continue reading Transportation Secretary LaHood gives M1 Rail 60 more days to answer questions about Woodward streetcar →

05/14/12

From a USDOT press release: U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced May 10, 2012 a final agreement of $15.8 million for the West Detroit Connection Track project that will eliminate congestion for Detroit-area Amtrak passengers by addressing a bottleneck that comes from serving both freight and passenger rail on the same tracks. The U.S. Department of … Continue reading USDOT Announces $15.8 Million Funding Agreement to Eliminate Detroit Rail Bottleneck →

04/25/12

From the Detroit  Free Press: The private-sector group that wants to build a light-rail line on Woodward Avenue from downtown Detroit to New Center said Monday that it has raised most of the money it will need to build it — and pledged to pay for the bulk of the cost of operating the system … Continue reading Woodward light-rail investors say most of the money to build is raised →

04/25/12

From the Detroit Free Press: The private-sector group that wants to build a 3-mile light rail line on Woodward Avenue from downtown Detroit to the New Center said today it has raised all of the money it will need to build the line – and is pledging to fund the operations of the system privately … Continue reading Woodward light rail line group says it will pay for first 10 years of operations →

04/25/12

From the Detroit Free Press: A balanced national transportation system requires high-speed rail lines that connect the nation’s major cities. With gas prices soaring, people are driving less and looking for less stressful alternatives to congested freeways and airports. The federal government must continue to help metropolitan areas build and maintain transit systems — including … Continue reading Editorial: Investing in rail makes sense as demand soars →

04/16/12

From AnnArbor.com: According to the diagrams in the fact sheet, the RTA would become the designated recipient of all federal funding coming into the region, and in turn that money would be disbursed by the RTA to local agencies like Ann Arbor Transportation Authority, SMART and DDOT.   Each local agency would receive federal formula … Continue reading How the funding works with a regional transit authority for Southeast Michigan →

04/16/12

From The Grand Rapids Press: The head of Amtrak’s Board of Directors touted strides toward high-speed passenger rail in Michiganand work to enhance Michigan-to-Chicago rail services during a Thursday speech to transit and commerce advocates in Grand Rapids. Tom Carper, Amtrak’s board chair, also argued Amtrak is an economic driver for communities and states, and … Continue reading Amtrak board chief touts high-speed rail, results of stimulus funding during Grand Rapids visit →

04/16/12

From The Grand Rapids Press: Work is expected to begin in May on the new, $3.8 million Amtrak station slated to be built near The Rapid’s Central Station. The station — which will be named for former West Michigan congressman Vern Ehlers — will be situated just south of Central Station and the Wealthy Street … Continue reading See what Grand Rapids’ new Amtrak station will look like (photos) →

04/13/12

From AnnArbor.com:  http://www.annarbor.com/news/airride-shuttle-service-from-ann-arbor-to-detroit-metro-airport-to-start-monday/ U.S. Rep. John Dingell and the director of the Michigan Department of Transportation will be in Ann Arbor on Friday to celebrate the launch of a new airport shuttle service. The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority is launching the AirRide service, which will provide 12 daily roundtrips from Ann Arbor to the Detroit … Continue reading AirRide shuttle service from Ann Arbor to Detroit Metro Airport has started →

04/13/12

From WBEZ 91.5 FM: Chicago’s Union Station is old, storied and surprisingly busy. Completed in 1925 on the site of some of the city’s earliest train stations, the rail hub is the third busiest in the country: According to one estimate, in 2009 it clocked in nearly 31.6 million Metra and Amtrak passenger trips, dwarfing … Continue reading As Chicago considers rail hub upgrades, Washington, D.C. offers advice from the success of its Union Station →

04/13/12

From M-Live.com: Passengers using Amtrak’s Wolverine and Blue Water rail services in Michigan will see normal travel times restored by early May, following work on some sections of track that is set to begin mid-April. In the meantime, Amtrak and the Michigan Department of Transportation jointly announced track work will result in some cancellations and … Continue reading Amtrak: Work to relieve passenger rail delays will affect Michigan service in mid-April →

04/12/12

Here are several links to news stories about the new station planned for Dearborn: Dearborn’s new train station unveiled at Greenfield Village Detroit Free Press – ‎5 hours ago‎ By Melanie D. Scott Rep. John Dingell, center, and other officials attend a ceremony at Smiths Creek Depot in Greenfield Village on Tuesday to mark the … Continue reading Dearborn station news… →

04/12/12

From the Dearborn Press and Guide: Government officials celebrated construction on a new $28 million train station with a commemorative ceremony Tuesday. Dignitaries from the local, state and federal level rolled into the Greenfield Village’s historic Smith Creek station on an old steam engine train to kick off the event, symbolizing how the project will … Continue reading Dignitaries celebrate construction of new $28 million train station →

03/25/12

From The Detroit News: Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says he is optimistic the M-1 Woodward Avenue light-rail project can still go forward, despite concerns raised by the federal government about the project’s feasibility. In an interview Wednesday, LaHood told The Detroit News the city of Detroit has applied for a federal grant for about $25 … Continue reading LaHood still optimistic about Woodward light-rail project →

03/17/12

From an Amtrak press release:  Railroad posts drastic speed restrictions while improvements are pending Norfolk Southern Railway (NS) has ordered passenger trains to slow to 25-to-30 mph on certain Michigan track segments it owns and controls between Kalamazoo and Ann Arbor, starting today. These restrictions from previous top speeds of up to 79 mph have … Continue reading Amtrak Service in Central and Eastern Michigan Delayed Due to Norfolk Southern Decision →

03/10/12

From The Allegan County News: The engineering and architecture firm that designed Fennville’s new streetscape now hopes to pitch the idea of a new downtown train station to Amtrak officials later this month. Tony McGhee is the business development director for the firm Abonmarche and said the city could seek a variety of grants to … Continue reading Fennville hopes to create train station →

03/09/12

From The Grand Rapids Press/Mlive.com: Upgrades to Amtrak’s Pere Marquette line between Grand Rapids and Chicago could be in the works thanks to a collaborative effort to net millions in highly competitive federal funding. Amtrak is working with the Michigan Department of Transportation to drum up local support for the project, starting with an application … Continue reading Amtrak’s Grand Rapids to Chicago route could get in on high-speed rail with proposed upgrades →

03/03/12

From the Detroit Free Press: The Oakland County Election Commission unanimously approved language Thursday for a recall petition challenging Troy Mayor Janice Daniels’ vote against millions of dollars in federal funding to build a transit center near the Troy-Birmingham border. But the commission denied approval of petition language challenging her views on homosexuality, her behavior … Continue reading Recall petition approved against Troy mayor that blocked $8 million transit center grant →

03/02/12

From The National Post (Toronto): Shock, anger and political jockeying greeted a revelation Thursday that VIA Rail Train 92 was travelling at more than four times the authorized speed when it jumped the tracks and slammed into a building on the weekend, killing three employees and injuring dozens of passengers. The Toronto-bound train, which derailed … Continue reading Derailed train was going four times authorized speed →

03/02/12

From Michigan Radio: A lawmaker from the Upper Peninsula says every region in the state could benefit from a strong and vibrant Detroit. Republican state Senator Tom Casperson has become an unlikely advocate for a regional transit system in southeast Michigan that would connect Wayne, Macomb, Oakland and Washtenaw counties. Casperson’s district in the U.P. … Continue reading Unlikely supporter of Detroit mass transit found in U.P. lawmaker →

03/02/12

From WLNS: Amtrack ridership has been going up… even hitting “record highs” here in Michigan. Now some managers at the Jackson Station are asking, why isn’t Amtrak bringing in more workers?  They say it’s currently running with a skeleton staff. Passengers at the Jackson Amtrak Station have lots of reasons for taking the train. Whether … Continue reading Some Want Amtrak to Increase Staffing →

03/01/12

From the Macomb Township Patch: The Michigan Department of Transportation has posted a safety video on YouTube to urge motorists and pedestrians to pay attention when approaching railroad crossings. On the afternoon of Feb. 28, a Canadian National Railway train struck a 14-year-old high school student in Wyandotte. That same railway line runs through Macomb … Continue reading Stay Off the Tracks: MDOT Warns About Dangers of Railroad Crossings →

03/01/12

From The National Post: VIA commuter train 92 was switching tracks to avoid a work site at the exact moment it derailed, the Transportation Safety Board announced on Monday. The derailment on Sunday killed two locomotive engineers and a trainee, and seriously injured three passengers; 42 other passengers were taken to hospital, where eight remained … Continue reading Police searching for signs of sabotage in Via Rail train derailment →

02/28/12

From The Toronto Star: As rail investigators continue to sift through clues to the cause of Sunday’s fatal Via train wreck, one rail expert says it’s time Canada considered installing a computerized train control system being used in other countries, including the U.S. Meanwhile, lawyers filed a class action lawsuit Tuesday against VIA and the … Continue reading Via Rail Derailment: Modern train control system could reduce accidents →

02/28/12

From AnnAror.com: As many wait for officials to deliver on the promise of a true commuter rail service between Ann Arbor and Detroit, a handful of people already are making it work. Living proof that it’s possible right now to commute by train between the two Southeast Michigan cities — albeit with a few limitations … Continue reading Southeast Michigan residents already making commuter rail between Ann Arbor and Detroit possible →

02/28/12

From AnnArbor.com: The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority’s governing board voted Feb. 16, 2012 to approve a new Detroit airport shuttle service and voiced support for a regional transit authority. The airport shuttle service is expected to start in April, scheduling trips between Ann Arbor and the Detroit Metropolitan Airport. That’s one step forward for the AATA as … Continue reading AATA board approves Detroit airport shuttle and voices support for regional transit authority →

02/28/12

From AnnArbor.com: The University of Michigan’s decision to halt plans for a parking structure as part of Fuller Road Station leaves Ann Arborofficials contemplating the proposed transit center’s future. Some, including Council Member Mike Anglin and the Huron Valley Group of the Sierra Club, argue the city should shift its attention away from Fuller Road … Continue reading Ann Arbor officials debate building new Fuller Road train station vs. upgrading current Amtrak site →

02/28/12

From the Arenac County Independent: When I read that the U.S. Department of Transportation gave Amtrak the OK to start running trains at 110 mph between Kalamazoo and Indiana, two thoughts went through my head. The first was “Well, it’s about time,” and the second was “Why did we let our transportation system get so … Continue reading Train-ing days – commentary on the new 110 MPH service in Michigan →

02/22/12

The city of Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan announced today they’re halting plans for the first phase of Fuller Road Station as presently designed. U-M is dropping its plans for a large parking structure on the site and will look elsewhere to build new parking facilities, officials confirmed. Mayor John Hieftje said the … Continue reading Ann Arbor halts Fuller Road Station plans as U-M seeks to build new parking elsewhere →

02/22/12

From The Lansing State Journal: An Amtrak train heading from Chicago to Port Huron struck a car west of Lansing Thursday evening, killing the car’s occupant and temporarily stranding about 120 train passengers. The collision occurred about 9:30 p.m. near the intersection of Millett Highway and Lansing Road in Delta Township, according to John Clark, … Continue reading Amtrak train from Chicago to Port Huron hits car →

02/22/12

Federal, state and local officials joined with Amtrak and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) in a demonstration of the new 110 mph service on the Wolverine line between Porter, Ind., and Kalamazoo, Mich. Amtrak and MDOT recently received federal approval to increase maximum speeds of Amtrak trains in western Michigan and northern Indiana to … Continue reading Rail officials demonstrate new 110 mph Amtrak service →

02/22/12

From WGN (includes video): http://www.wgntv.com/videogallery/68131208/News/high-speed-amtrak-trains-debut The push to bring high-speed rail service to the Midwest is speeding ahead. Amtrak introduced Wednesday morning it’s “Wolverine” train, which can reach speeds of up to 110 miles-per-hour. The train showcased its speed during a round-trip from Chicago to Kalamazoo, MI. It left Union Station at 7am, and then … Continue reading High-speed trains arrive in Chicago →

02/22/12

From the Kalamazoo Gazette: A day after the announcement that Amtrak trains will increase speeds to 110 mphbetween Kalamazoo and Porter, Ind., transportation officials said they are comfortable that the rail line can safely handle the higher speeds. The Chicago Tribune reported Wednesday that the control system installed in Michigan does not include vehicle-detection technology … Continue reading Amtrak, MDOT officials say they are confident trains traveling 110 mph are safe →

02/22/12

From the Kalamazoo Gazette: A special Amtrak train arrived in Kalamazoo on Wednesday morning, hitting speeds of 110 mphon its way from Chicago. The train was a celebration of the first expansion of high-speed rail outside the Amtrak-owned corridor in the Northeastern United States. The train departed Chicago at 7 a.m., made a stop in … Continue reading Amtrak celebrates increase in train speeds to 110 mph along Kalamazoo corridor from Chicago →

02/21/12

From the Chicago Journal: Chicago’s train hub plans future, from rehabbed retail to new offices and traffic patterns Nobody would be surprised to see Chicago’s Union Station busy during rush hour. On weekday mornings and evenings, the concourse and the second-floor mezzanine become nearly impassable. But even on the weekend, the food court on the … Continue reading Union Station chugging forward →

02/09/12

From a Michigan Department of Transporation press release: Federal approval permits higher passenger train speeds on Amtrak-owned  track between Kalamazoo, Mich., and Porter, Ind. CHICAGO and LANSING, Mich. – Amtrak and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) have received federal approval to increase maximum speeds of Amtrak trains in western Michigan and northern Indiana to … Continue reading AMTRAK 110 MPH MICHIGAN SERVICE GIVEN GREEN LIGHT →

02/09/12

From The Chicago Tribune: Amtrak passenger trains sped up to 110 mph for the first time Tuesday in western Michigan and northern Indiana on two routes serving Chicago, officials announced. But the railroad crossings lack safety mechanisms that will be installed on Illinois’ high-speed corridor to prevent vehicle-train collisions. The faster service, which is the … Continue reading Amtrak at 110 mph in western Mich., northern Ind. →

02/02/12

From the Detroit Free Press: Passenger rail service between metro Detroit and Chicago could be restored as early as this morning (Feb. 2, 2012) after a Chicago-bound Amtrak train smashed into a tractor-trailer Wednesday near Jackson, derailing several cars but causing no life-threatening injuries, officials said. As many as 10 people were treated for injuries … Continue reading Amtrak restoring service from Detroit to Chicago following derailment →

01/31/12

January 30, 2012 — The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has announced Timothy H. Hoeffner as director of the newly created Office of Rail. He has more than 30 years of experience at MDOT. He also is Gov. Snyder’s representative on the Midwest Intercity Passenger Rail Commission, where he serves as vice chair. Hoeffner has … Continue reading MDOT’s new Office of Rail names director, will oversee all rail services →

01/31/12

From The Grand Rapid Press: U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood attended Saturday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Rapid bus system’s new Wealthy Operations Center. LaHood and U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, D-Detroit., appeared alongside city leaders during a ceremony at the $32 million facility at 333 Wealthy St. SW. Of that project’s cost, $10.6 million came … Continue reading U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood attends ribbon-cutting for The Rapid →

01/31/12

From Wisconsin Department of Transporation: For the first time in its history, Amtrak’s Hiawatha Service between Chicago and Milwaukee, has a ridership that surpassed 800,000 in 2011. The year-end numbers put ridership at 823,163. According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, that is a nearly four percent increase from 2010 when ridership totaled 792,848. Amtrak’s … Continue reading Amtrak’s Hiawatha Service sets annual ridership record in 2011 →

01/26/12

From the Port Huron Times-Herald: A new Amtrak train station could be Port Huron’s opportunity. Given the city’s plans for a new convention center and a revamped Thomas Edison Inn, it makes sense to explore possibilities for a new station near the development project. Amtrak’s 16th Street train station is in the midst of growing … Continue reading Editorial: Money key for Amtrak rail station →

01/26/12

From the Port Huron Times-Herald: When it comes to Michigan train stations, Port Huron is a caboose. Record ridership for the Blue Water line this year has pushed the small, dated facility’s capacity to the brink — and both Amtrak and Michigan Department of Transportation officials have noticed. Local authorities want to move the station … Continue reading Amtrak, officials want new station →

01/17/12

From mlive.com: The Troy City Council approved a revised plan this evening to build a federally-funded, multi-modal transit center. In December, the Council voted 4-3 to reject an $8.4 million transit center plan, but City Councilman Wade Fleming changed his vote after architects scaled back the plan to a cost of $6.27 million. The savings … Continue reading Troy City Council passes revised transit center plan by 4-3 vote →

01/14/12

From Crain’s Detroit Business: The local private-sector investment consortium that wants to build a light-rail line on a 3.4-mile stretch of Detroit’s Woodward Avenue has 90 days to compile a plan to refine, finance and build its project, Mayor Dave Bing said in a press conference this afternoon. The announcement revives plans for downtown rail … Continue reading Light rail ‘not dead’; M1 Rail gets 90 days to create plan →

01/07/12

From The Detroit News: An abbreviated light rail project is back on the table for Detroit after a high-powered meeting Friday between the plan’s private backers and federal, state and local officials. But the clock is ticking for investors Roger Penske, Dan Gilbert and other prominent business leaders, who have 90 days to convince governmental … Continue reading Private support reignites Woodward light rail plan →

01/07/12

From The Detroit News: City officials to hear scaled-back proposal for bus, rail station The City Council on Monday is expected to vote on a scaled-back proposal for the Troy Transit Center weeks after the panel failed to award a contract to begin the federally funded project. The resolution released late Friday reduces expenditures by … Continue reading Revised Troy transit center plan up for vote →

01/07/12

From The Farmington Observer: Farmington City Council members voiced strong opinions at a recent study session that paying for the regional bus service is no longer the “smart” thing to do. That led Mayor Tom Buck to conclude that when the council votes to opt in or out of the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional … Continue reading Farmington talks of opting out of SMART bus system →

12/23/11

From The New York Times: Water flows uphill. A city turns down $8.5 million in federal grant money. In what could be a new high water mark of anti-Washington sentiment, the city of Troy, Mich., is rejecting a long-planned transportation center whose construction would have been fully financed with federal stimulus money. The terminal, which … Continue reading Michigan City Turns Down Millions of Dollars, Saying Federal Money Is Not Free →

12/21/11

From The Detroit News Troy faced quick fallout Tuesday after scrapping plans for a federally funded transit center, as an official with a local auto supplier said he would urge the company to look elsewhere for future investment. Frank W. Ervin III, manager of government affairs for Magna International Inc., made the comment in an … Continue reading Magna official urges halt to investments after Troy votes down transit center →

12/21/11

From The Detroit News: By Dale Murrish Now that the Troy City Council has decided against building a new transit center, other solutions can be considered. Perhaps by combining our best ideas and filtering out the bad arguments we can find the best way forward. The most important thing to remember is this: the $8.4 … Continue reading Commentary: Right decision made on Troy transit center →

12/21/11

From The Chicago Tribune: Michigan U.S. Rep. Gary Peters on Tuesday asked that the federal government redirect $8.4 million in transportation aid spurned by the Troy City Council to other projects in the Detroit area. The request came in letters to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Gov. Rick Snyder from the Bloomfield Township Democrat. The … Continue reading Peters: Keep rejected transit aid in metro Detroit →

12/21/11

From the Detroit Free Press A federally funded transportation center in Troy that leaders across the region considered an important piece to boost mass-transit opportunities in metro Detroit will not get built after the Troy City Council rejected the proposal Monday night. Opponents called the $8.5-million, 2,500-square-foot center a waste of tax dollars, even though … Continue reading Transit center rejected by Troy →

12/14/11

From The Detroit News: Federal funds for project are already appropriated; station could serve additional transit needs Like a lot of Michigan cities, Troy is under pressure from citizens to hold the line on taxes while decreased real estate values and state revenue sharing have shrunk the tax base. But even under those circumstances, it … Continue reading Editorial: Troy should build new station →

12/14/11

From the Detroit Free Press: The ambitious plan for a light-rail line on Woodward Avenue between downtown Detroit and 8 Mile has been scrapped in favor of a system of city and suburban buses, several officials briefed on the decision told the Free Press today. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood told Detroit Mayor Dave Bing … Continue reading Detroit light-rail line plan scrapped for city, suburban buses →

12/13/11

From Michigan Radio: Today could be a significant day for the future of high speed rail in Michigan. Consultants have until today to submit their proposals to study how to solve a crucial problem for high speed rail between Detroit and Chicago. The problem: a railroad bottleneck between northwest Indiana and Chicago. A high volume … Continue reading Removing a barrier to high speed rail from Detroit to Chicago →

12/13/11

From The Illinios State-Journal-Register Illinois is about to go shopping for a high-speed train set — 12 locomotives and 30 bi-level passenger cars at a potential cost of up to $233.8 million. Throw in another $268.2 million to be shared with Iowa, Michigan and Missouri, and the total exceeds $500 million. The figures represent the … Continue reading Equipment upgrades next for high-speed rail project →

12/11/11

From the Detroit Free Press: After nearly a dozen years of yes votes, the Troy City Council faces one final vote and a deadline Dec. 19 that outsiders say is crucial for metro Detroit — whether to accept federal money and build a rail transit center. The glorified train station would be on Troy’s border … Continue reading Troy’s rail transit vote roars toward deadline →

12/11/11

From the Detroit Free Press: Metro Detroit’s public transportation troubles — long marked by inadequate, overlapping service provided by city and suburban bus systems — have never been so severe. On Monday, the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) will eliminate 15 bus routes, stop taking riders into the city except during peak weekday … Continue reading Detroit, suburbs’ bus systems need jump start to grow →

12/11/11

From the Detroit Free Press: How big cities operate and pay for mass transit is as unique as each city, offering road maps for metro Detroit. New York is the king of public transportation systems, running the nation’s largest subway fleet — 6,380 subway cars on 660 miles of track — and a bus system … Continue reading Big city transit funding sources diverse →

12/11/11

From the Detroit Free Press: There are a lot of misconceptions about public transit, despite its critical role in getting people around. It’s a $55-billion industry in the U.S. and a system that has been stretched by record-high gas prices and ridership levels not seen since the 1950s even as a troubled economy reduces funding … Continue reading Debunking public transportation myths →

12/11/11

From the Detroit Free Press: SMART will make the most dramatic service cuts in its history Monday as it deals with huge funding losses caused by metro Detroit’s battered real estate values. The suburban bus system will eliminate 15 routes across the metro area, including service to Edsel Ford High School in Dearborn and Grosse … Continue reading Crowded Detroit bus system offers alternative for some suburban riders as SMART scales back service →

12/11/11

From the Detroit Free Press: Troy’s embattled Mayor Janice Daniels said Friday she’d had a tough week. So tough in fact that she called off her weekly Saturday walk of Troy’s neighborhoods when she meets and greets all who answer her knock. “I’m very tired and I don’t feel well,” Daniels said. Daniels was excoriated … Continue reading Troy mayor lies low after Facebook backlash as businesses face boycotts →

12/09/11

By Larry Sobczak The Michigan Passenger Editor The Troy City Council listened to public comments Dec. 5 whether to proceed with the Multimodal Transit Center to be located near Maple and Coolidge roads. More than a dozen people from Troy and nearby areas expressed their support or opposition to the $8.4 million transit center proposed to … Continue reading Troy city council listens to public input on proposed train station →

12/06/11

From the Detroit Free Press: Is that a light at the end of the tunnel? Not yet. Though Michigan was awarded $403.2 million in federal dollars this year for improvements to its heavily traveled Wolverine line between Pontiac and Chicago, it could be a while before travelers get speedy, reliable Amtrak service. Construction and ongoing … Continue reading Columnist: Fast trains from Detroit to Chicago coming in 3-4 years →

12/05/11

From The Detroit News: After a decade of planning, a transit center tying together train, bus, taxi and future light rail service in Troy appeared to be near fruition this fall. The facility is supposed to open by October 2013, but a shakeup at City Hall has put construction in doubt. Mayor Janice Daniels, elected … Continue reading New mayor, council members try to halt Troy transit facility →

11/30/11

From the Detroit Free Press: Mass transit proposals are gaining speed in metro Detroit, but Troy’s new mayor said she wants to stop a decade-long effort to build a transit center at the Troy-Birmingham border. Mayor Janice Daniels, an activist in Michigan’s Tea Party, campaigned against spending $8.5 million in federal funds for the rail-passenger … Continue reading Troy debates sending back $8.5 million in U.S. aid for transit center →

11/29/11

From The Grand Rapids Press: William Bussa had an easy choice: Hop on an Indian Trails motorcoach and get home in time for Thanksgiving, or stay in a virtually deserted Grand Valley State University campus and miss a family holiday gathering in Elk Rapids. Bussa, 18, doesn’t have a car and couldn’t hitch a ride … Continue reading State bus lines grow ridership, serve rural areas →

11/29/11

From a U.S. Department of Transportation press release: U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray  LaHood awarded $150 million to the Michigan Department of Transportation  (MDOT) on Nov. 22 for a high-speed rail project that will increase the safety and  reliability of Amtrak’s Wolverine and Blue Water services between  Detroit and Chicago and put more than 800 Americans back … Continue reading $150 Million awarded to Michigan to Expand High-Speed Rail in the Midwest →

11/23/11

From an Amtrak Press Release: Amtrak is operating all available railcars and locomotives on trains to and from the Chicago area in advance of the Thanksgiving holiday travel season. Fresh from fall colors trips to and from the East Coast, starting today the historic Amtrak “Great Dome” rail car will provide a unique opportunity to … Continue reading Unique ‘Great Dome’ car adds seats and scenic views on selected dates →

11/23/11

From Crain’s Detroit Business: On Friday, President Obama signed a $182 billion stopgap spending bill that will keep the federal government operating until Dec. 16 — a piece of bipartisan legislation that includes language approving the local matching funds scheme for Detroit’s Woodward Avenue light rail project. Crain’s first reported in November 2009 (link) that … Continue reading Obama signs bill that green-lights Woodward light rail private funding deal →

11/22/11

From the Lansing City Pulse: Judging by the upbeat toots and chugs heard at Monday afternoon’s Michigan Rail Summit in Lansing, there’s one toy that inspires Republicans and Democrats, environmentalists and business leaders, Feds and locals and all the other boys and girls to play nicely together: a train. Every speaker at the Lansing Convention … Continue reading Michigan Rail Summit throws diverse parties into transports of joy →

11/22/11

From the Great Lakes Bulletin News Service: Governor Rick Snyder’s special message last Wednesday for a new transportation strategy in Michigan is receiving positive reviews from those seeking reform in the state because he’s not just trying to fix roads and patch potholes, but is instead proposing a long-term solution for transportation funding and improving … Continue reading Michigan Governor Ignites Spark in Transportation Reform →

11/22/11

From Michigan Radio’s Enviornment Report: Governor Rick Snyder met with lawmakers, federal officials and the railroad industry Oct. 31, 2011 to talk about the future of rail transportation in our state. Rick Pluta is the State Capitol Bureau Chief for the Michigan Public Radio Network.  He was at the Michigan Rail Summit and he joins me to talk more … Continue reading Governor Snyder Touts Higher Speed Rail for Michigan →

11/22/11

From Amtrak: In the next step toward a nationwide eTicketing system, conductors on the Downeaster this month began scanning “print anywhere” eTickets using handheld mobile device. eTicketing provides significant benefits over traditional paper tickets. Passengers no longer have to pick up their tickets at a station, and they do not have to worry about keeping … Continue reading Conductors to Begin Scanning eTickets on Downeaster Service →

11/22/11

From The Toronto Star: Of all the issues endlessly studied without resolution in Canada, high-speed rail (HSR) tops the list. The latest unreleased HSR study, which was revealed by the Star last week, only confirms that more than 30 years of rosy political promises and large consulting fees have accomplished nothing. Canada remains the only G8 … Continue reading Columnist: Canada’s high-speed train stuck in station →

11/21/11

From Progessive Railroading: Amtrak expanded its AmtrakConnect Wi-Fi service to 12 East Coast routes, including the Northeast Regional, Keystone and Empire services. Other routes now featuring Wi-Fi include the Carolinian, Downeaster, Ethan Allen Express, New Haven-to-Springfield Shuttle and Vermonter, Amtrak officials said in a prepared statement. Wi-Fi service also was installed in select cars marked … Continue reading Amtrak adds free Wi-Fi service to 12 East Coast routes →

11/21/11

Greyhound and 7-Eleven press release: Partnership with 7-Eleven and PayNearMe allows customers to book online, pay in cash  DALLAS, Nov. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Greyhound, the largest North American provider of intercity bus transportation, and 7-Eleven, Inc., the world’s largest convenience retailer, today announced that customers nationwide can purchase bus tickets online or over the … Continue reading Greyhound Launches Nationwide Program for Convenient Cash-Payment Options →

11/21/11

From the Niles Star: From 4:30 to 6 p.m.  Dec. 3, the Four Flags Garden Club will host its 20th annual Hometown Christmas Celebration at the Historic Amtrak Depot, 600 Dey St., Niles. The impetus for this free, annual event is the last scene of the 1991 John Candy movie “Only the Lonely,” which was … Continue reading Niles Amtrak Depot lights up Dec. 3 →

11/21/11

From the Detroit Free Press: The owners of the derelict Michigan Central Station say they want to hear the public’s ideas for remaking Detroit’s most iconic vacant ruin. The family of station owner Manuel (Matty) Moroun created a website for fans of the old depot to post their ideas, www.talktothestation.com. In the little over a … Continue reading Moroun asks: What would you do with Michigan Central Station? →

11/21/11

From The Windsor Star: The local chamber of commerce is urging the federal government to reconsider  its decision to refuse funding for a high-speed rail link between Windsor and  Quebec City. Transport Minister Denis Lebel told The Star Tuesday that with a price tag of  between $18.9 billion and $21.3 billion, the proposal is “not … Continue reading Windsor chamber of commerce urges Canadian government to reconsider high-speed rail →

11/21/11

From Trains Magazine: In a filing  with the Federal Surface Transportation Board, short line Mineral Range,  Inc., has proposed purchasing 12 miles of Lake Superior & Ishpeming  Railroad trackage in Upper Michigan and  rebuilding track on another 1.9 miles of abandoned right of way that is now a  trail. Kennecott Eagle Minerals Co. is opening … Continue reading Dormant Upper Michigan track may reopen →

11/21/11

From Nortwest Indiana Times: A Republican effort to kill funding for President Barack Obama’s signature  high-speed rail program will not affect the $71.4 Indiana Gateway project  centered on improvements at Porter Junction. Money for the Indiana Gateway project, which will create 700 jobs, already  has been appropriated and awarded, according to officials at the Indiana  … Continue reading Porter Junction rail project looks safe →

11/21/11

From the Detroit Free Press: Some lucky Amtrak passengers taking the Wolverine train between Detroit and Chicago Thanksgiving week will get to ride in the railroad’s Great Dome railcar. Riders on trains 352 on Nov. 23 and 351 on Nov. 24 will be able to sit in the double-decker car, which has been added to increase … Continue reading Amtrak is running a dome car on the Wolverine train →

11/17/11

From The Grand Rapids Press: Vern Ehlers says he wishes energy was purple. Not in the sense of energy conservation being a red-blue (as in bipartisan) issue, though that is a nice thought. As the former West Michigan congressman explained to a group gathered to break ground on the new Amtrak station that eventually will … Continue reading Officials break ground on Grand Rapids Amtrak station →

11/17/11

From the Holland Sentinel: The city of Holland has designated the Seventh Street parking deck as the official overflow parking for the Padnos Transportation Center. No-cost overnight parking permit hangtags will be issued by Macatawa Area Express staff, located in the Padnos Center office, 171 Lincoln Ave. Permits will be issued Monday through Friday from … Continue reading Holland designates overflow parking for Padnos Center →

11/11/11

From the Battle Creek Enquirer: Upgrades to the passenger train station in downtown Battle Creek are progressing. The $3.8 million renovation is expected to be completed in late March or early April, said Battle Creek Transportation Director Larry Bowron. The parking lot next to the station at the former site of the city bus transfer … Continue reading Battle Creek Amtrak station renovation on track →

11/01/11

From the Detroit Free Press: Gov. Rick Snyder said today that he wants action in 2012 on his proposal for a network of high-speed busesalong major roads in metro Detroit. Snyder also said he believes lawmakers will find a way to raise additional money for road and bridge repairs and improvements to rail and bus … Continue reading Snyder says he wants action on high-speed buses in 2012 →

10/28/11

From the Detroit Free Press: Gov. Rick Snyder said Wednesday that the state needs to spend more to repair roads and improve bus service, but he’s leaving it up to the Legislature and voters to decide whether to raise yearly vehicle registration fees to pay for the work. Snyder suggested raising fees by from $40 … Continue reading Lawmakers debate Gov. Rick Snyder’s transit plan →

10/28/11

From the Detroit Free Press: Gov. Rick Snyder’s proposal for high-speed bus service on major routes including Woodward, Gratiot, Michigan Avenue and M-59, connecting downtown to key suburbs, Metro Airport and Ann Arbor, would be a huge boost for moving people to jobs at a crucial time in metro Detroit, the general manager of the … Continue reading High-speed service great idea, suburban bus GM says →

10/28/11

From Canada.com: A study into the feasibility of a high-speed train link in the Windsor-Quebec City corridor shows the project could benefit the entire Canadian economy. The report conducted by the EcoTrain consortium — grouping Dessau, MMM Group, KPMG, Wilbur Smith & Associates, and Deutsche Bahn International — was released Monday by High Speed Rail … Continue reading Study says high-speed train could benefit Canadian economy →

10/28/11

News release from Nordik Institute: SAULT STE. MARIE, ON (October 25, 2011) – Ninety-five kilometers of rail that connect Northern Ontario to Ottawa, Montreal and the East Coast are slated to be torn up. This rail is critical to Northern Ontario’s economic opportunities that depend on rail transportation. Also, opportunity to develop passenger train service … Continue reading Critical rail link to Ottawa in jeopardy →

10/27/11

From the Detroit Free Press: Gov. Rick Snyder today will announce plans for a 110-mile network of sleek rapid transit buses in metro Detroit, operating within two or three years, that will move people as fast and conveniently as light rail. A new regional transit authority, made up of Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and Washtenaw Counties, … Continue reading Columnist: Rapid transit rolling our way →

10/19/11

Editorial from the Toronto Star: Of all the issues endlessly studied without resolution in Canada, high-speed rail (HSR) tops the list. The latest unreleased HSR study, which was revealed by the Star last week, only confirms that more than 30 years of rosy political promises and large consulting fees have accomplished nothing. Canada remains the … Continue reading Canadian high-speed train stuck in station →

10/19/11

From Crain Detroit Business: A new nonprofit wants to transform Detroit’s logistics assets into an inland port linked by rail to the deepwater facility in Halifax, Nova Scotia, to take advantage of the newest generation of massive cargo ships. Organizers of the Great Lakes Global Freight Gateway say Halifax is one of just two ports … Continue reading Plan to link Detroit to Halifax by rail in anticipation of future mega cargo ships →

10/17/11

From the Detroit Free Press: U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood will be in Detroit on Monday (10/17/11)  to talk to political leaders about resolving intractable regional transit problems typified by major cuts announced this week for the suburban bus system. LaHood’s office wouldn’t confirm details of the discussions, but the subtext is clear: The Obama … Continue reading High level talks set on transit →

10/14/11

MDOT Press Release: FAST FACTS: – Amtrak trains in Michigan have set new ridership records for FY 2011. – Despite track work and freight slowdowns, the Wolverine service continues to grow. – Blue Water service has impressive passenger growth. October 13, 2011 — Amtrak trains in Michigan have set new ridership records for the fiscal … Continue reading All three Amtrak routes show ridership growth in Michigan →

10/14/11

From Amtrak press release: WASHINGTON – Amtrak carried nearly 30.2 million passengers in Fiscal Year 2011 ending September 30, marking the highest ridership total since the National Railroad Passenger Corporation started operations in 1971 and the eighth ridership record during the last nine years. Ridership versus the prior year is up by more than five … Continue reading Amtrak sets all-time passenger and revenue records in FY 2011 →

10/14/11

From The Washington Post: Amtrak trains carried more than 30 million passengers in the past 12 months, the most in one year since the passenger railroad was created four decades ago, railroad officials said Thursday. Ridership during the budget year ending on Sept. 30 was 30.2 million passengers, up 5 percent over the previous year. … Continue reading Amtrak sets record of 30 million passengers in past 12 months, the most since railroad created →

10/14/11

From the Detroit Free Press: The federal government today granted $2 million to an effort to study whether Detroit’s fledgling Woodward Light Rail project, now designed to run from downtown to 8 Mile Road, should keep chugging north up to Birmingham. The money is another strong indicator of federal support for the $550-million plan to … Continue reading Woodward Light Rail projects gets $2 million federal grant for study on Birmingham extension →

10/14/11

From the Detroit Free Press: Amtrak routes in Michigan are setting new ridership records, despite freight train delays that the state and federal government are investing millions to reduce, the passenger rail service said. Amtrak said 503,290 passengers rode its Wolverine line on the Pontiac/Detroit-Chicago corridor in the fiscal year that ended in September, a … Continue reading MDOT: Amtrak sets ridership records in Michigan →

10/14/11

From The Grand Rapids Press: Dignitaries gather and toss dirt for the ground breaking ceremony for the new Amtrak station, including Mayor Hartwell and former congressman Vern Ehlers. The project is funded through a $3.8 million grant from the Federal Railroad Administration. Last year, the DDA approved an $850,000 request to help the Rapid and … Continue reading Officials break ground on Amtrak station to be named for Vern Ehlers →

10/14/11

From the Northwest Indiana Times: It has been nearly two years since federal funding was granted for the a high-speed rail project in Northwest Indiana, yet no construction has begun yet. It’s time to get this project moving. The junction in Porter currently creates congestion that must be addressed if high-speed trips are to occur. … Continue reading EDITORIAL: Get high-speed rail project moving →

10/14/11

From abc7chicago.com : Construction began Monday on a project designed to relieve traffic congestion along rail lines on Chicago’s South Side. In addition, 1,500 people will be put to work on the “Englewood Flyover” project. A small army of politicians descended on a South Side railroad junction Monday morning. They came to get what credit … Continue reading Englewood Flyover construction project to create jobs →

10/11/11

From The Grand Rapids Press: The Interurban Transit Partnership, also known as the Rapid, will break ground Friday on a long-awaited new Grand Rapids Amtrak station. A noon ceremony in the Area 6 DASH parking lot south of the Rapid Central Station platform will be attended by Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell and representatives from … Continue reading Rapid to host ground-breaking on new Amtrak station Friday →

10/06/11

From the Detroit Free Press: Federal authorities awarded a $196.5-million grant to Michigan transportation officials today for track and signal improvements on the Amtrak line between Detroit and Kalamazoo that will allow for train speeds of up to 110 miles per hour on most of the line. As a result, the trip from Detroit to … Continue reading Michigan gets grant to upgrade Detroit-Kalamazoo Amtrak line →

10/05/11

From an MDOT press release: October 5, 2011 — The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) today announced an agreement with Norfolk Southern Railway (NSR) to purchase a critical 135-mile segment of railroad track between Kalamazoo and Dearborn. The track is part of Amtrak’s Wolverine passenger rail service and also provides freight services to major Michigan … Continue reading MDOT seeks to improve both passenger and freight rail lines with purchase of Norfolk Southern Railway track →

10/05/11

Press release from U.S. DOT: U.S.  Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today awarded a $196.5 million grant to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) for track and signal improvements between Detroit and Kalamazoo, MI.  These improvements will allow for speeds up to 110 mph on 77 percent of Amtrak’s Wolverine and Blue Water services between Detroit … Continue reading U.S. DOT awards $196 million grant for Detroit to Chicago Amtrak rail line →

10/03/11

From HSR Updates: Michigan Lt. Gov. Brian Calley signed legislation Seot. 29, 2011 that will enable the state to accept millions of dollars in federal grants to upgrade the Chicago-Detroit corridor to operate high-speed rail service. Senate Bill 237, which the Michigan House of Representatives passed on Wednesday and the state Senate passed last week, … Continue reading Michigan Lt. Gov. Calley OKs funds for rail project →

10/03/11

From All Aboard Ohio: This week, both houses of Michigan’s Republican-controlled legislature strongly supported funding for improving intercity passenger rail service on Amtrak’s Wolverine Corridor. The Detroit to Chicago line serves 17 cities in Michigan, Indiana and Illinois with up to eight trains a day. Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder signed the legislation into law yesterday, … Continue reading Analysis: Why Michigan kept its $400 million for passenger trains when Ohio gave it back →

10/03/11

From Mlive.com: The Michigan legislature on Wednesday approved a supplemental spending bill that will  unlock federal funds to fast-track improvements along the planned high-speed rail line between Detroit and Chicago. Gov. Rick Snyder is expected to sign the bill, which uses a combination of $39.2 million in local, private and state transportation funds as a … Continue reading Michigan legislature approves spending for high-speed rail line between Detroit and Chicago →

10/01/11

From the Lansing State Journal: Michigan Flyer won’t be adding another route to its bus service between East Lansing and Detroit Metropolitan Airport anytime soon. The privately owned airport shuttle service did not receive a $1.5 million federal grant to help it start a new route from East Lansing to the Detroit airport along Interstate … Continue reading East Lansing won’t get new bus route to Metro after all →

09/30/11

From AnnArbor.com: The state of Michigan is making moves to purchase and rehabilitate the Norfolk Southern Railway line that passes through Ann Arbor— another positive sign for high-speed rail. A Senate appropriations bill including nearly $400 million in rail-related spending is expected to move on the floor of the state House this week, and it’s … Continue reading Ann Arbor to benefit as Michigan moves to purchase and rehab Norfolk Southern rail line →

09/22/11

From the Troy Times: Plans for the Troy Multi-Modal Transit Facility chugged ahead after the Troy City Council approved the contract with the Michigan Department of Transportation that allows dispersal of just under $8.5 million in federal grant money to fund the project. The project is on track to be finished by September of 2013. … Continue reading Troy City Council approves contract to release $8 million to fund local transit center →

09/19/11

From the North West Indiana TImes As the Wolverine leaves Chicago’s Union Station each afternoon, passengers  aboard the Amtrak train to Detroit look out their windows at the urban maze of  concrete and steel. Once the train crosses the Indiana state line, though, skyscrapers soon are  replaced with the natural beauty of the thick forests … Continue reading Amtrak, Indiana Dunes team up →

09/16/11

From Gongwer News Report Volume #50, Report #173 — Friday, September 2, 2011 Michigan, and other states, have been working the last couple of decades to convert old rail lines to walking and biking trails, but more money now needs to go into refurbishing the remaining lines, the Michigan Agri-Business Association said in a paper … Continue reading Ag. Pushes Investment In Rail →

09/15/11

From CBC News Windsor-West MP Brian Masse announced Monday he intends to pursue international high-speed rail service between Chicago and Quebec. “I believe we can make it work all the way to Quebec City,” he said a news conference staged in front of the historic Spirit of Windsor steam engine No. 5588. Masse wrote Minister … Continue reading Make high-speed rail a priority →

09/15/11

From The Windsor Star With too many factions studying high-speed rail in the Quebec City to Windsor  corridor, MP Brian Masse (NDP – Windsor-West) called on the federal government  Monday to form one working group to fast track rail improvements. Masse sent a letter to federal Transport Minister Denis Lebel and launched a  “Need for … Continue reading Chicago and Quebec City high-speed rail link touted →

09/13/11

Crews are dillegently working on the Norfolk Southern tracks that the Amtrak Wolverine and Blue Water trains use between Dearborn and Kalamazoo and are expected to be finished by the second or third week of September 2011 according to an Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) official. Over the past year, Norfolk Southern has deferred some maintenance … Continue reading Work on the Amtrak Wolverine line is progressing (includes video) →

09/12/11

MARP’s annual meeting was featured in the Battle Creek Enquirer: After his birth in Chicago, John “Joe” Schwarz was carried home to Battle Creek, where his parents stepped off the train at the old depot off Van Buren Street. Schwarz remarked on that fact Saturday while standing inside that old depot — now the restaurant … Continue reading Rail group honors Schwarz’s ‘untiring efforts’ →

09/08/11

From the Port Huron Times-Herald Mitchell Johnston doesn’t mind waking up at the crack of dawn to ride the Blue Water train to Chicago. A sophomore at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., Johnston, 19, of Lakeport hopped on the train at the Port Huron Amtrak station about 6 a.m. Wednesday to get back to school. … Continue reading More passengers using Blue Water Amtrak →

09/03/11

From the Kalamazoo Gazette Recently Amtrak has received a disproportionate amount of negative press about its government subsidies. We fail to realize that most (if not all) forms of transportation rely on federal subsidies to operate. According to the Research and Innovative Technology Administration Bureau of Transportation Statistics website, transit travel received the largest amount … Continue reading Letter: Amtrak is not only mode of transportation that gets federal subsidies →

09/03/11

From Crain’s Detroit Business The Federal Railroad Administration has released $2.8 million to help build a high-speed rail station in Ann Arbor. The funding, announced Thursday by U.S. Rep. John Dingell, will allow the city of Ann Arbor to begin the preliminary engineering, design and environmental documentation required to construct a new intercity and high-speed … Continue reading First wave of funding released for Ann Arbor high-speed rail station →

09/03/11

From Fox 17 News Project leaders with The Rapid held a public meeting Tuesday night at The Rapid Central Station in Grand Rapids to discuss the AMTRAK project. They’re asking the public to give their input on the project, especially riders who use the train service. “I’m excited to see it happen, the current station … Continue reading New Grand Rapids Amtrak Station on track for Fall 2013 →

09/03/11

From the Mackinac Center for Public Policy The Jackson Amtrak station will get $1 million in renovations thanks to the American Relief and Recovery Act (the federal stimulus program), according to the Jackson Citizen Patriot. But Wendell Cox, a transit consultant in St. Louis, Mo., questions why an Amtrak station with 78 customers a day … Continue reading Train Station with 78 Daily Riders Gets $1 Million in Stimulus Renovations →

09/03/11

From the Detroit Free Press The Detroit People Mover has enough funding to operate through only December, city officials said Wednesday, as the rail line’s management board approved a 25-cent fare hike that they said, at best, might keep it moving a few extra weeks at its current service level. Officials said reducing hours and … Continue reading People Mover likely to cut back on service as money dries up →

09/03/11

From Michigan Radio There are three Amtrak routes with trains that travel to and from cities in Michigan to Chicago. If you ride on any of them, chances are your train will be late. The route with the best on-time rate in the last year were the trains traveling on the “Blue Water” route between … Continue reading 10 slow Amtrak trains in Michigan →

09/01/11

From The Windsor Star Are the railroads part of our romantic past – or an important and growing  part of Michigan’s transportation future? The answer, it seems clear, is .  yes. Former congressman Joe Schwarz, a lifelong railroad buff, is Gov. Rick  Snyder’s official and “highly unpaid” adviser on raiI. Earlier this year, he worked … Continue reading Opinion: Passenger rail travel’s future in Michigan →

08/31/11

Poor track conditions along the Amtrak Wolverine route in Michigan has caused service delays since June 2011 due to speed restrictions imposed by the host freight railroad, Norfolk Southern Railway. Michigan Department of Transportation Director Kirk T. Steudle announced Aug. 8, 2011, that a $4.2 million maintenance agreement with Norfolk Southern would begin soon and … Continue reading Travelers advisory: Track work will affect Amtrak Wolverine trains 350 and 353 →

08/31/11

Beginning Wednesday, August 3,2011 and continuing for approximately nine months, the Battle Creek station will undergo renovations. All station operations will relocate to a temporary facility located about 300 feet west of the current station across McCamly St. Temporary Station Address and Phone Number: 124 South McCamly Street Battle Creek, Michigan 49017 269-963-6020   Arrive … Continue reading Battle Creek Station temporary relocation begins Aug. 3, 2011 →

08/25/11

From The Jackson Citizen-Patriot Federal stimulus funds are finally coming to Jackson to help preserve its historic train station. State officials announced the station would receive $938,000 in American Recovery and Reinvestment funds in April 2009, but Amtrak and the Michigan Department of Transportation have been unable to resolve bureaucratic issues over funding rules. But … Continue reading Nearly $1 million in improvements to Jackson’s historic train station expected to start this spring →

08/25/11

From The Jackson Citizen-Patriot Jackson’s historic Amtrak train station could extends its hours later in the day if the station is converted to an intermodal transportation center. Brain Karhoff, lead agent at the station, told state and local officials today ridership has been increasing at the station but so have complaints about it closing at … Continue reading Extending the hours at Jackson’s train station still a possibility →

08/25/11

From The Detroit News   One staggering step at a time, the Michigan Central Station is showing signs  of life. Fueled by funds from  Ambassador Bridge owner Matty Moroun, workers toiling since early spring have  removed tons of debris, broken glass, caulking and asbestos from the derelict  building. While workers do the grunt work, architect … Continue reading Moroun making good on cleanup of Michigan Central Station →

08/25/11

Large track crews of 75 or more men have been spotted repairing the Norfolk Southern Railway tracks between Ypsilanti and Kalamazoo which hosts Amtrak’s Wolverine train service. This grade crossing is being rebuilt approxiamately three miles west of Ypsilanti. Poor track conditions along the route have caused service delays since June 2011 due to speed restrictions imposed by the host freight … Continue reading Track work to help Amtrak speeds →

08/20/11

From a U.S. Department of Transportation press release The Michigan Department of Transportation has received $28.2 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation to consolidate Dearborn’s two passenger rail facilities into a pedestrian-friendly, intermodal station in the West Downtown section of the city.  The money will support President Obama’s vision to create livable cities and … Continue reading $28 Million DOT Grant for New Dearborn, MI Train Station →

08/20/11

From an Indian Trail press release Michigan Flyer, LLC, of East Lansing, MI—a division of Indian Trails, Inc.—plans to add a new I-96 route this fall, doubling the number of trips it makes each day between East Lansing and Detroit Metropolitan Airport. Currently, Michigan Flyer offers luxury motor coach service along the I-94 corridor between … Continue reading Indian Trails plans to add a new I-96 route →

08/16/11

From The Grand Rapids Press Rise and shine! Amtrak passengers leaving Grand Rapids for Chicago will need to get to the station by 6 a.m. beginning Aug. 15 — 90 minutes earlier than normal — because of upcoming track maintenance. Passengers will arrive about 90 minutes earlier in Chicago as well, about 9 a.m. John … Continue reading Amtrak Pere Marquette to run 90 minutes early for temporary period, beginning Aug. 15 →

08/15/11

From the Detroit Free Press Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff headed a panel of national experts Monday during a transit workshop at Wayne State University. Afterward, Rogoff sat down with editorial writer Jeff Gerritt to talk about the challenges and opportunities presented by Detroit’s Woodward Light Rail Project and regional transit in southeast Michigan. QUESTION: … Continue reading Editorial: Q&A with Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff: Build balanced transit →

08/15/11

From the Detroit Free Press With the help of the Federal Transit Administration, Detroit’s $500-million Woodward Light Rail Project is on track, including agreement on a final environmental impact statement setting route and station locations. Moreover, the project’s momentum has sparked suburban interest in rail and regional transit service. Detroit Mayor Dave Bing and Norman … Continue reading Editorial: A modern public transit system is within reach →

08/09/11

From Progressive Railroading Yesterday, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) convened a panel of transit experts to advise southeastern Michigan leaders on ways to create a new public transit system that would include Detroit’s planned Woodward Avenue light-rail system. Each of the five members of the Detroit Area Transit Panel has an “industry-renowned record of achievement” … Continue reading FTA forms panel to help advance light rail, transit in Michigan →

08/09/11

MDOT Press Release Officials cut the ribbon in front of the new Pontiac Transporation Center on Aug. 8, 2011. Photo courtesy MDOT. The new Pontiac Transportation Center, serving both passenger rail and intercity bus passengers, opened for business, Monday, Aug. 8, 2011, following a ribbon-cutting ceremony with state and local officials. Located at 51000 Woodward … Continue reading New Pontiac Transportation Center serves intercity bus and Amtrak passengers →

08/09/11

From The Oakland Press The Michigan Department of Transportation dedicated Pontiac’s new transportation center Monday, a 4,500-square-foot facility that will serve Greyhound and Amtrak passengers, and includes stops by the local bus service SMART. MDOT broke ground on the new $1.4 million facility in July 2010 at 51000 Woodward Avenue in Pontiac. There are six … Continue reading Pontiac Transportation Center officially open for business →

08/08/11

From a U.S. Department of Transportation press release: American Manufacturing Gets a Boost through a Combined $782 Million Investment in Passenger Rail Equipment WASHINGTON – U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced that California, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan and Missouri will receive $336.2 million to purchase next-generation, American-made trains that will run on rail corridors in those … Continue reading U.S. DOT Awards $336.2 Million For Next Generation Trains In California And Midwest →

08/06/11

From The Oakland Press Abigail Wright stood on the train platform with her luggage. Wright was visiting from England and on her way to a wedding in Berrien Springs. She was making the journey by train, hopping on at the new Pontiac Transportation Center. Train travel, she said, is far more popular in her home … Continue reading Pontiac Transportation Center to celebrate grand opening Monday →

08/03/11

From Metromode They said it would never happen in Dallas. They said it was a city that loved its cars too much, that its massive system of freeways obliterated the need for trains, and that Dallas’ suburban sprawl was too entrenched for it to ever go the way of more densely populated cities and regions … Continue reading Columnist: If Dallas Can Do It, Why Can’t Detroit? →

08/03/11

From Crain’s Detroit Business A new economic development study of Woodward Avenue north of Eight Mile Road through Birmingham represents an early step in potentially extending Detroit’s planned light-rail line into the suburbs. Currently, there is no plan for the modern streetcar-style transit service to go north of the city limits near the Michigan State … Continue reading Next stop: Oakland? Suburbs study expansion of Woodward rail →

07/29/11

From AnnArbor.com Ann Arbor Mayor John Hieftje July 27, 2011 released a five-page missive on the Fuller Road Station project city officials are considering on a portion of Fuller Park, calling it a “one-time opportunity for our community to advance into the modern age of rail.” The letter touches on how the project could be funded and … Continue reading Ann Arbor mayor releases five-page letter explaining reasons for Fuller Road Station project →

07/27/11

From the Dearborn Press & Guide With high-speed rail funding targeted for elimination by congressional Republicans, city officials are racing against the clock to get funding for a new Amtrak station in town. City Council on Monday approved several key measures to facilitate the construction of the complex. The resolutions formalized agreements with the state, … Continue reading City jumping through final hoops for rail station funding →

07/27/11

From the Toledo Blade Amtrak’s route between Detroit and Chicago is among those the Obama Administration has chosen for high-speed rail development, but right now, 135 miles of the line east of Kalamazoo, Mich., is anything but fast. The tracks’ owner, Norfolk Southern, has determined that freight traffic along the line no longer justifies maintaining … Continue reading Michigan to buy rail line for high-speed Amtrak →

07/21/11

From PeterGreenberg.com With gas prices still dizzyingly high, and seemingly unlikely to fall anytime soon, more and more travelers are turning to Amtrak. The American rail system has seen a significant jump in traffic, up almost 14 percent since last July, and is on track to smash the previous record of 25.8 million passengers. But … Continue reading Amtrak’s Top 5, And Bottom 5, On-Time Train Routes →

07/21/11

From MLive.com Shifting gears away from the bridge issue and the politics surrounding it, Matthew Moroun and reporter Jeff Wattrick  discussed the Gateway Project controversy, plans to renovate the iconic Michigan Central Station and how the Moroun organization manages its local real estate holdings. Read more: http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2011/07/the_matthew_moroun_interview_r.html  

07/20/11

From the Dearborn Patch Several resolutions were passed at Monday night’s Dearborn City Council meeting moving things forward with Dearborn’s Intermodal Passenger Rail Facility. Effective at the meeting, Dearborn Mayor Jack O’Reilly is authorized to finalize and execute an agreement between the Michigan Department of Transportation and the city–as well as the city and Amtrak–for the … Continue reading Dearborn Train Station Construction to Move Forward →

07/20/11

From an Indian Trails press release Michigan Flyer — the airport shuttle service of Indian Trails, Inc., and Okemos Travel — plans to add a new I-96 route this fall,  doubling the number of trips it makes each day between East Lansing and Detroit Metropolitan Airport. Currently, Michigan Flyer offers luxury motor coach service along … Continue reading Michigan Flyer Proposes New I-96 Route, Twice as Many Trips to Detroit Airport →

07/19/11

From Michigan Technology News The headlines have been written about the federal government allocating hundreds of millions of dollars to support a high-speed passenger rail line between Detroit and Chicago, but residents won’t see that speedy service until the state wraps up negotiations with Norfolk Southern, which owns most of the rail line Amtrak uses. … Continue reading High-Speed Rail Line Between Detroit-Chicago Awaits Norfolk Southern Talks →

07/19/11

From Crain’s Detroit Business The proposed Woodward Avenue light rail project is in jeopardy. The private consortium of investors that has pledged $100 million toward the project’s $528 million cost doesn’t have faith in the Detroit Department of Transportation‘s plan and won’t provide funding until it does, sources familiar with the situation told Crain’s. The … Continue reading An unhappy M1 Rail puts project funds on the line: Group sees DDOT’s plan as unsustainable →

07/13/11

From the Detroit Free Press Norfolk Southern Corp. says it’s restricting the speed that Amtrak trains can run on tracks the railroad company owns between Dearborn and Kalamazoo even as the line is prepared for high-speed passenger rail. Norfolk Southern spokesman Randy Husband told AnnArbor.com that the company would only pay the maintenance costs necessary … Continue reading Travel news: Track owner slows Dearborn-Kalamazoo trains →

07/02/11

From The Detroit News The city moved closer to building a light-rail path up Woodward Avenue on  Wednesday, unveiling the route and stops for the project officials hope will  reinvigorate the Motor City. In announcing an agreement between Detroit and the Federal Transportation  Administration for the $500 million project, Mayor Dave Bing called the deal … Continue reading Final route announced for $500M Woodward light-rail project →

07/02/11

From the Detroit Free Press Light rail in Detroit is taking a big step forward after the city and federal governments signed off on a final route for the service that would run from the Rosa Parks Transit Center through downtown and north along Woodward to the State Fairgrounds, city officials will announce today. After … Continue reading Woodward light-rail project surges ahead after Detroit, feds agree on a route →

07/01/11

From The Holland Sentinel The Pere Marquette’s future needs to be outlined in the state’s plan for future rail needs, local officials say. The Macatawa Area Coordinating Council is submitting comments to the state on the Michigan Rail Plan, emphasizing the importance of passenger rail service and connections to the area. MACC officials also ask … Continue reading Future of passenger rail addressed in 20-year state plan →

06/26/11

From Progressive Railroading Norfolk Southern Railway, Amtrak and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) recently reached a development agreement that will bring the Federal Railroad Administration one step closer to obligating $133 million in federal funding for the Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency (CREATE) program’s Englewood flyover project, according to U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin … Continue reading NS/Amtrak/IDOT pact will advance Englewood flyover project →

06/16/11

From AnnArbor.com State Sen. Rebekah Warren, D-Ann Arbor, joined today in announcing the introduction of a three-bill package to create a regional transit authority in Southeast Michigan. Of the 41 largest metropolitan areas in the nation, the Metro Detroit region is the only one lacking a so-called RTA, Warren and other sponsors of the legislation … Continue reading Sen. Rebekah Warren co-sponsoring legislation to form regional transit authority in Southeast Michigan →

06/15/11

From Crain’s Detroit Business Until an accord is reached on critical aspects of the Woodward light-rail line, a consortium of private-sector donors who have pledged $100 million toward the project’s $528 million capital costs won’t commit any money. “We’ll wait to see if there’s a project that makes sense and is viable. Then we’ll be … Continue reading Private money on the line: Woodward rail donors wait for layout they like →

06/15/11

From Detroit Crain’s Business The Local Money Here’s how the federally required $210 million local funding match for the $528 million Woodward rail project breaks down: • $73 million from the forthcoming sale of $125 million in Capital Grant Receipts Revenue Bonds by the Detroit Department of Transportation. The estimated annual $10 million interest payment … Continue reading Here’s a breakdown of the local money for M-1 light rail project →

06/15/11

From The South End (Wayne State student newspaper) Questions about the purpose and design of the Woodward Light Rail project have arisen while it slowly but surely makes its way through the planning and approval phases. One vision by area entrepreneurs is for the train to run trolley-style down the sides of Woodward Avenue at … Continue reading Woodward Light Rail faces tough questions →

06/15/11

From the Detroit Free Press In his 1936 essay “The Crack-Up,” novelist F. Scott Fitzgerald said real intelligence is the ability to “see that things are hopeless and yet be determined to make them otherwise.” Seventy-five years later, anyone who has fought for mass transit in southeast Michigan can still feel him. Despite a soul-shriveling … Continue reading Columnist: Obstacles ahead, but light rail worth the work →

06/14/11

From AnnArbor.com The freight company that owns the railroad tracks that carry Amtrak trains through Ann Arbor said today that it is restricting the speed those trains are allowed to travel, cutting the rate to 25 miles an hour in some parts. The decision means that travelers on Amtrak’s Wolverine line may experience 90-minute delays … Continue reading Freight company cuts Amtrak trains’ speed to as slow as 25 mph →

06/10/11

From The Detroit News If it’s true that “a journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step,” then  the Michigan Central Station may be on its way toward restoration. On Tuesday morning, a crew of workmen from Professional Abatement Services  Inc. began removing asbestos-laden caulking and glazing from all the first floor  windows of … Continue reading Michigan Central Station one step closer toward restoration →

06/10/11

From The Detroit News With the derelict Michigan Central Train Depot as a backdrop, hundreds of  Detroiters on Friday demanded more jobs as well as more accountability from  Ambassador Bridge owner Matty Moroun. The rally, sponsored by the AFL-CIO-backed Good Jobs Now team and the Service  Employees International Union, was held at Roosevelt Park and … Continue reading Protest targets train depot, Moroun →

06/10/11

From The Flint Journal An Amtrak spokesman said all safety devices were in use on a Amtrak train that struck 11-year-old Tomas Rodriguez. Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari said all the warning devices at the crossing were working and “the train was also flashing lights, ringing its bell and using its loud horn.” Police also said … Continue reading Amtrak spokesman says all safety equipment working on train that struck 11-year-old →

06/10/11

From the Detroit Free Press Officials say a sixth-grade student has been struck and killed by a train in Imlay City while walking to school. WNEM-TV and The Flint Journal report the collision happened about 7 a.m. Thursday. Police say a crossing gate was down and warning lights were flashing. Read more: http://www.freep.com/article/20110609/NEWS06/110609018/Child-struck-killed-by-train-Imlay-City?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE

06/04/11

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn today announced a partnership between the University of Illinois, the Illinois Department of Transportation and a special advisory group to study the feasibility of 220-mph passenger rail service between Chicago, Champaign-Urbana and beyond. The study will complement the ongoing construction of a regional 110-mph network that will connect Chicago to 40 … Continue reading Illinois announces partnership to study 220-mph rail service →

06/04/11

From the Chicago Sun-Times An Amtrak train locomotive collided with a Metra commuter train Friday morning, sending a dozen people to area hospitals and snarling train travel through the evening rush hour. Federal Railroad Administration officials were studying the tracks, signals and switches where the slow-moving trains collided, at a bend in the tracks in … Continue reading Trains collide at Chicago Union Station →

06/04/11

The League of Michigan Bicyclists is asking the Michigan Department of Transporation (MDOT) and Amtrak: to prioritize allowing bicycles on-board Michigan’s three Amtrak routes, especially through roll-on service. to ensure that the new rolling stock to service Michigan routes includes 21st century provisions for bicycles on-board trains. to include short and long-term bike parking in … Continue reading League of Michigan Bicyclists asks MDOT and Amtrak to allow bicycles on trains →

06/04/11

From The Detroit News Recently, Gov. Rick Snyder and I announced an historic investment of nearly  $200 million to expand high-speed rail service from Detroit to Chicago. The Obama administration’s investment in this high-speed rail project will  not only provide fast, reliable and energy-efficient service for passengers, it  will open up a world of opportunity … Continue reading Letter: High-speed rail is good for Michigan →

06/04/11

From WJRT-TV ABC Channel 12 For the second time in less than three years, a water leak has damaged the Union Station Depot in Durand. This time, the building’s fire suppression system is to blame. The depot’s second floor board room is a soggy mess after hundreds of gallons of water poured through the ceiling. The … Continue reading Malfunctioning fire sprinkler damages Durand Union Station →

05/26/11

From the Battle Creek Enquirer A peek at the future of Battle Creek’s downtown passenger train station was released Wednesday. The plans by local firm Architects Incorporated would move the station’s main entrance to face McCamly Street and add more outdoor canopies for waiting passengers. “I think we’re going to have a really nice facility … Continue reading Plans unveiled to redesign B.C.’s Amtrak station →

05/26/11

From Up North Live With gas around four dollars a gallon, all of us are looking for cheaper ways to get around, and that is helping the train industry get back on track. 7&4’s Lauren Amstutz shows us how ridership for Amtrak is on the rise and why taking the rain can be a fun … Continue reading Special report: All aboard the Pere Marquette →

05/26/11

From The Ann Arbor Chronicle This month’s Ann Arbor Parks Adisor Commission meeting focused on one topic – an update on the proposed Fuller Road Station, a large parking structure, bus depot and possible train station being planned on city-owned property near the University of Michigan’s medical campus. Eli Cooper, the city of Ann Arbor’s transportation … Continue reading Update on Ann Arbor’s Fuller Road Station‏ →

05/26/11

Where is rail transportation headed in Michigan? What role does rail freight play in our state’s economy? When and how will high speed rail become a viable option for passenger travel in our Great Lakes State? These and other questions will be addressed in the Michigan State Rail Plan. MDOT is developing the comprehensive plan … Continue reading Draft copy of the Michigan State Rail Plan has been released →

05/26/11

From the Wall Street Journal Amtrak’s financial losses are projected to widen this year despite rising ridership, the top executive of the government-subsidized rail system said Tuesday. Amtrak ridership, up 9.9% in April, has climbed 18 consecutive months. Amtrak blames the red ink on rising compensation costs for union workers and increased costs for fuel, … Continue reading Amtrak Chugs Deeper Into the Red →

05/16/11

From M-Live.com Perhaps the most intriguing news from last week’s high-speed rail announcement was Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood’s suggestion that the next phase for Midwest rail upgrade could involve an international high-speed passenger route through Detroit. Governor Rick Snyder yesterday agreed that connecting the Detroit-to-Chicago line to Canada’s rail system through Windsor would make sense. … Continue reading Windsor MP Brian Masse pushes for Detroit-Windsor passenger rail connection →

05/16/11

From The Times of Northwest Indiana The $71.4 million Indiana Gateway at Porter Junction is one of the Federal Railroad Administration’s top five priority high-speed rail projects, but work will not begin until there’s a deal for fixing the Englewood crossing in Chicago, Administrator Joseph Szabo said. “They are both critically important projects for both … Continue reading Porter Junction rail project depends on negotiations →

05/10/11

From The Lansing State Journal High-speed rail projects that will allow passenger trains traveling between Chicago and Detroit to reach speeds of 110 mph along some stretches of track and shorten travel time by 30 minutes also will result in about 1,000 construction jobs and help push Michigan’s economy forward, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said … Continue reading High-speed rail project to add about 1,000 jobs in Michigan →

05/09/11

From The Detroit News Michigan will get nearly $200 million in federal funding to make high-speed rail a reality — and to help build a new bus and train station in Ann Arbor, the U.S. Transportation Department announced this morning. The bulk of the funds — $196.5 million — is to help retrofit a 135-mile … Continue reading Michigan wins $200M for high-speed rail →

05/09/11

From the Detroit Free Press The Detroit International Bridge Co. has hired Ann Arbor-based Quinn Evans Architects to design the restoration of the windows and roof at the Michigan Central Depot in Detroit, the bridge company said Thursday. Quinn Evans is known for its work restoring historic buildings. Elisabeth Knibbe, a principal at Quinn Evans … Continue reading Ambassador Bridge owner hires Quinn Evans Architects for Michigan Central Depot work in Detroit →

05/09/11

Unprecedented Investment in the Northeast Corridor, Expanded Service in the Midwest and New, State-of-the-Art Rail Equipment Top List of Rail Dollar Recipients From a U.S. Department of Transporation press release WASHINGTON – U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced $2 billion in high-speed rail awards providing an unprecedented investment to speed up trains in the … Continue reading U.S. Transportation Secretary LaHood Announces $2 Billion for High-Speed Intercity Rail Projects to Grow Jobs, Boost U.S. Manufacturing and Transform Travel in America →

05/09/11

From the Kalamazoo Gazette U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, issued a statement tonight about Monday’s anticipated announcement that Michigan will receive more federal funding for high-speed rail between Detroit and Kalamazoo. Upton’s statement: With skyrocketing gas prices, this announcement comes as great news to families in southwest Michigan. I proudly helped lead the effort … Continue reading Rep. Fred Upton says high-speed rail announcement is ‘great news’ →

05/09/11

From The Detroit News Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood will visit Detroit and New York on Monday to make major high-speed rail funding announcements. Last month, Michigan applied for more than $560 million in funding — including joining three other states as part of a joint request. Michigan officials expect the state will receive significant funding … Continue reading LaHood coming to Detroit with ‘major’ high-speed rail announcement →

05/08/11

From The Flint Journal Michigan, the automaking capitol of America, doesn’t quite know what to do about high-speed rail and light rail lines to move people and perhaps freight around and across our state. The Great Lakes State needs to climb aboard and join the passengers who are flocking to railroad stations. On the Blue … Continue reading Editorial: Michigan must climb aboard movement to ride the rails →

05/03/11

From the Niles Daily Star Amtrak will celebrate the nation’s love for trains at its fourth annual National Train Day Saturday with celebrations at stations across the country, including the one in Niles. National Train Day commemorates the day the first transcontinental railroad was created and looks toward the future of rail travel. It also … Continue reading Depot to celebrate National Train Day →

04/27/11

From the Detroit Free Press A transit station along the Troy-Birmingham border that has been in the works for more than a decade has hit a fork in the road, leaving Troy officials unsure which way to turn. Birmingham officials decided earlier this month against buying a piece of land that would have been part … Continue reading Birmingham pulls out of transit plan with Troy →

04/27/11

From AnnArbor.com University of Michigan graduate student Jon Bolenbaugh says he uses the Amtrak station in Ann Arbor about twice a month and prefers train travel over driving or flying. “I’ve taken a lot of train rides actually,” he said, waiting to catch the train to Chicago on Friday afternoon on his way to see … Continue reading Ann Arbor remains busiest Amtrak stop between Detroit and Chicago →

04/27/11

From Trains Magazine OKEMOS, Mich. — Eugene L. Huddleston, the author of several books on Chesapeake & Ohio steam locomotives and two TRAINS features, died Friday, April 22, 2011. He was 80 years old. Huddleston grew up in Russell, Ky., near a major C&O terminal. Though he moved north to attend college, the books he … Continue reading Eugene L Huddleston author and photographer dies →

04/27/11

From the Flint Journal Dennis Jefferson noticed something on his Amtrak trip from Charleston, Miss., to Flint this week: There’s a lot less elbow room and a lot more people on the train than there were just six months ago. Fueled by higher gas prices and what state transportation officials say is greater awareness, the … Continue reading Faster than a speeding train, number of Amtrak riders soars in Flint →

04/27/11

From Crain’s Detroit Business Detroit Mayor Dave Bing’s administration has crafted a plan to divert some of the city’s annual federal capital transportation grant funding to back bonds that will pay for Detroit’s share of a $500 million light-rail system on Woodward Avenue. The deal, which has federal approval, allows the cash-strapped city to arrange … Continue reading Bond sale to help raise local match for M1 light rail project →

04/27/11

From the Holland Sentinel People are feeling pain at the pump. That’s the reason why Sherri Cadeaux of the Macatawa Area Express said many Hollanders are relying on public transit to get around as gas prices are expected to hit $4 a gallon. From March 2010 to March 2011, the MAX saw a 25.66 percent … Continue reading Gas prices push alternative rides →

04/27/11

From the Detroit Free Press Detroit was once a place where people with new ideas came to make them happen, especially ideas that involved transportation. Not anymore, it seems, based on the lack of response to overtures to the city from Jerry Sanders, chairman and CEO of SkyTran. SkyTran would love to make Detroit the … Continue reading Columnist: SkyTran offers Detroit new idea for mass transit →

04/27/11

From the Port Huron Times Herald Amtrak’s passenger services in Michigan saw higher ridership numbers in the first six months of the 2010-11 fiscal year ending in March. Growth was noted on all three routes, including the Blue Water service between Port Huron and Chicago, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation. Blue Water service … Continue reading Amtrak’s Michigan ridership shows growth →

04/26/11

Analyzes conventional and high-speed equipment needs From an Amtrak press release – April 1, 2011  With its intercity passenger rail equipment nearing an average age of 26 years, Amtrak today is issuing an updated fleet strategy plan that analyzes the company’s need to replace its existing conventional and high-speed fleet and manage capacity to meet … Continue reading Amtrak issues updated fleet strategy →

04/19/11

From The Detroit News After decades of looking like a bombed-out relic, the iconic Michigan Central Train Depot is set to receive a mini face-lift. Manuel “Matty” Moroun, owner of the depot and the Ambassador Bridge, will replace the roof and the windows on the once elegant 19-story building that has overlooked Michigan Avenue since … Continue reading Decaying Central Depot to get spruce-up →

04/14/11

From Trains Magazine Contrary to earlier reports, no high speed rail funds survived in the budget Congress appears poised to pass for the 2011 fiscal year. The six-month deal that passed last Friday night in an effort to prevent a government shutdown cut all remaining funds from the high speed intercity rail program for this … Continue reading Budget cuts all 2011 funds for high speed rail →

04/04/11

From SooToday.com NEWS RELEASE INDIAN TRAILS, INC. ***************************** Indian Trails extends service to Bishop International Airport, Union Station Chicago OWOSSO, MI – Indian Trails’ motorcoach service throughout Michigan and the near Midwest has been expanded to two new locations: Flint’s Bishop International Airport and Union Station Chicago. Beginning April 4, 2011, four daily trips will … Continue reading Indian Trails extends service in Flint, Chicago →

04/04/11

From The Detroit News Megabus.com will begin offering daily departures from Detroit to Pittsburgh and Toledo for as low as $1 for a one-way ticket beginning May 11. Pittsburgh will be the intercity express bus firm’s sixth hub and begin daily service to and from nine new cities, including Detroit and Toledo, said Dale Moser, … Continue reading Megabus.com to expand its service from Detroit →

04/04/11

From East Village Magazine Indian Trails’ motor coach service throughout Michigan and the near Midwest has been expanded to two new locations — Flint’s Bishop International Airport and Union Station Chicago. Beginning April 4, four daily trips will be made between Flint’s Bishop International Airport and points north (Saginaw, Bay City, Alpena, the Upper Peninsula) … Continue reading Indian Trails extends service to Bishop Airport →

04/04/11

From the Owosso Argus-Press The 1941 Pere Marquette 1225 will receive significant improvements, thanks in part to a transportation grant announced Wednesday by Rep. Ben Glardon, R-Owosso. The locomotive, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is the only surviving large steam locomotive still operating in Michigan, and has become a significant source of … Continue reading State rep announces grant to aid 1225 project →

03/26/11

From the Dowagiac Herald-Palladium  Ron Leatz, 68, the host of the Dowagiac Amtrak station, has been volunteering with the Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers for three years. He met with Herald-Palladium Staff Writer Kate Genellie to talk about what a station host does and the appeal of train travel. Why did you join MARP? I’ve … Continue reading Read an interview with MARP member and station volunteer Ron Leatz →

03/18/11

From WSJM AM&FM Construction starts today (Wednesday) on a project that will dramatically change the exterior of the Amtrak station in St. Joseph by adding a new all glass waiting room. Silver Beach Pizza shares the building with Amtrak. The restaurant is paying for the upgrade because it will earn additional seating, but also because … Continue reading New St. Joe Amtrak Waiting Area Coming →

03/18/11

From The Detroit News The Transportation Department is putting $2.4 billion in returned high-speed rail funds on the fast-track for competitive bids. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said today that all states can compete for $2.4 billion in funds returned by Florida to develop high-speed rail corridors across the United States. They must submit applications by … Continue reading U.S. to take bids for $2.4 billion in returned rail funds →

03/18/11

From The Detroit News “The train is coming.” That was the message sent by city official March 10 to neighbors and members of Mount Olive Baptist Church about a proposed light rail system on Woodward that would pass directly in front of the church. Hosted by the Detroit Department of Transportation, the meeting provided environmental, economic … Continue reading Woodward light rail excites supporters →

03/18/11

From the Petoskey News-Review Petoskey officials have tentatively closed on their long-sought acquisition of a rail corridor running through the city’s downtown area. The 1.17-mile route, which was owned by the state of Michigan, extends from Emmet Street to the Petoskey city limit near Bay View. City officials have conceptual plans for developing the route … Continue reading Petoskey railroad purchase is close →

03/11/11

Increasing gasoline prices contribute to record February From an Amtrak press release WASHINGTON – February marked 16 consecutive months of Amtrak ridership growth and was the best February on record with 2,099,010 passengers. “The ridership increase shows the continued popularity of rail travel and the need for continued investment in passenger rail service,” said Amtrak … Continue reading Amtrak marks 16 straight months of ridership growth →

03/11/11

From the Owosso Argus-Press Steam Railroading Institute’s new executive director is a whiz at fundraising, but he’s no expert on steam locomotives. Not a problem: David Shorter, who is relocating to Owosso from his home in Miami, Fla., will soon receive a crash course in railroads — from SRI’s new full-time project manager, Kevin Mayer. … Continue reading SRI names new director →

03/11/11

From Capitol News Service An online transportation forum is trying to promote improvements in railroad systems throughout the state. The website, called michiganbyrail.org, is intended to see what people in different regions want when it comes to improving rails, according to Tim Fischer, deputy policy director at the Michigan Environmental Council (MEC). In addition to the … Continue reading Forums promote better railroad access →

03/05/11

From The Lansing State Journal Rep. Mike Rogers wanted even deeper cuts in this year’s federal budget than those agreed to by House Republicans last week. But he parted with most Republicans in backing funding for Amtrak and for the National Labor Relations Board. Those are some of the Howell Republican’s spending priorities revealed by … Continue reading Rep. Rogers backs cuts, but not for Amtrak, labor board →

03/05/11

From the Battle Creek Enquirer Rep. Tim Walberg wanted even deeper cuts in this year’s federal budget than those agreed to by House Republicans last week. But he parted with most Republicans in backing funding for Amtrak and the National Labor Relations Board. Those are some of the Tipton Republican’s spending priorities revealed by last … Continue reading Walberg: Cut deeper, but don’t derail Amtrak →

03/05/11

From The Metro Times Despite all the hype and hope for light rail along Detroit’s Woodward corridor, there are major questions of funding. And there is also the daunting legacy of decades of mass transit hopes that haven’t left the station. The current plans are moving forward for a light rail train, the first leg … Continue reading Hopes are high for the Woodward Corridor – But obstacles remain →

03/05/11

From the Birmingham Eccentric The Federal Railroad Administration is about to give away nearly $8.5 million in federal stimulus money on a project that is knee-deep in question marks. That’s the implication of court depositions in the lawsuit being waged over the Troy-Birmingham Transit Center. Grand Sakwa Properties is suing the city of Troy to … Continue reading Transit center awash in questions →

03/05/11

From MLive Transportation Riders United, Michigan Environmental Council along with neighborhood associations, the NAACP, and other groups, began a series of community engagement forums on the proposed M1 Woodward light rail line last night in Palmer Park. Here’s what you need to know about the proposed transit project. The Plan: The M1 light rail line … Continue reading Everything you wanted to know about Detroit’s M1 light rail project… but were afraid to ask →

02/27/11

Englewood flyover project part of $6.8 billion in transportation spending reductions proposed in Congress From The Chicago Tribune Funding is in jeopardy for construction of a major rail-bridge system to ease at least some of the freight and passenger train congestion in the Chicago region, officials warned Thursday. The argument against building the Englewood flyover … Continue reading Solution to South Side rail bottleneck threatened by U.S. cuts →

02/13/11

Record January marks 15 straight months of ridership growth From an Amtrak press release The numbers are now in and January is the 15th straight month of ridership growth for Amtrak and also the best January on record with 2,126,429 passengers. This strong performance is part of a long-term trend that has seen America’s Railroadsm … Continue reading More passengers choosing Amtrak →

02/10/11

From WXYZ-TV — Detroit 20/20 Project For Catherine Martin getting around Detroit is an all day ordeal. A quick 10 mile trip from home to the bank downtown takes more than an hour each way. She says it isn’t easy to get around Detroit…or out of Detroit.. on a bus. What does she think about the … Continue reading Light Rail May Be A Few Stops Away →

02/10/11

Press Release from The White House Philadelphia, PA – Vice President Joe Biden today announced a comprehensive plan that will help the nation reach President Obama’s goal of giving 80 percent of Americans access to high-speed rail within 25 years, as outlined in his State of the Union address. The proposal will place high-speed rail … Continue reading Vice President Biden Announces Six Year Plan to Build National High-Speed Rail Network →

02/09/11

Press Release from the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure February 8, 2011 Washington, DC – House Transportation Committee Chairman John L. Mica (R-FL) and Railroads Subcommittee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA) today expressed extreme reservations regarding the Obama Administration’s plan to spend $53 billion over the next six years on rail infrastructure … Continue reading Mica & Shuster Skeptical of New Obama Rail Spending →

02/08/11

From the Detroit Free Press Feb. 4, 2011 Dearborn Police are investigating a crash this afternoon involving an Amtrak train and a City of Dearborn utility tractor that has left a 46-year-old city employee from Redford Township with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries. The crash occurred at 12:10 p.m. at Monroe south of Michigan Avenue, police … Continue reading Train accident closes Dearborn intersection →

02/05/11

From Progressive Railroading Amtrak officials are preparing a slate of activities to mark the 40th anniversary of the national intercity passenger railroad. The anniversary is May 1, but special events already have begun, including the unveiling of the first of four P-42 diesel-electric locomotives with historic paint schemes that entered regular revenue service in Chicago … Continue reading Amtrak announces 40th anniversary activities, adds Cascades Wi-Fi service →

02/01/11

From The Detroit News Amtrak sued the city of Detroit in federal court today over a March crash that happened after firefighters parked a fire engine on the railroad tracks. Amtrak accused city firefighters of placing the fire engine in danger of being struck by a train and “failing to exercise ordinary care,” according to … Continue reading Amtrak sues Detroit over collision with fire truck →

01/29/11

From AnnArbor.com The question was posed by an audience member at the Michigan By Rail‘s forum Dec. 9 at Washtenaw Community College: Why doesn’t the Amtrak train stop in Ypsilanti? After the meeting, Derrick James, Amtrak’s senior director of government affairs for the Midwest, approached Ypsilanti Mayor Paul Schreiber and told him the first step … Continue reading Amtrak back in Depot Town? Ypsilanti officials to consider request →

01/29/11

From the Jackson Citizen Patriot Ridership is up at Jackson’s historic Amtrak station. In 2010, 14,350 people boarded trains and 14,513 deboarded trains at the station, a total of 28,863. That’s an increase of 11 percent from 2009, when 25,987 people board and deboarded. Overall, ridership on the Wolverine line between Detroit and Chicago was … Continue reading Ridership at Jackson’s Amtrak station up 11 percent from 2009 to 2010 →

01/29/11

From The Grand Rapid Press City officials are clearing the path for a new railroad track that will bring the Pere Marquette Amtrak train to The Rapid Transit Center. City commissioners this week approved the sale of city-owned land at 150 Logan Street SW to the ITP for $1,050. The land is needed to build … Continue reading Grand Rapids sells land for Amtrak rail spur to The Rapid Transit Center →

01/29/11

From The Owosso Argus-Press An internal Canadian National Railway memorandum dated one month before a train derailed Jan. 6 suggests the engineer assigned to work on the engine that crashed near Durand was a trainee, though a CN official vehemently denies the engineer was unqualified. In a memo obtained through an anonymous source by The … Continue reading Internal docs: Trainee was engineer of derailed train →

01/26/11

From Crain’s Detroit Business The daily Amtrak rail service between Detroit/Pontiac and Chicago — known as the Wolverine line — saw a nearly 23 percent quarter-vs.-quarter increase to 130,683 passengers in the first quarter of the fiscal year, which ended Dec. 31. Ticket revenue on the route increased more than 26 percent to nearly $5 … Continue reading Amtrak lines from Michigan to Chicago see boost in traffic and revenue →

01/26/11

From a Michigan Department of Transporation press release January 24, 2011 — Ridership and revenue soared on Michigan’s three Amtrak routes during the first quarter of fiscal year 2011, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). The strong performance indicates that more passengers are becoming aware of the convenience and good value of rail … Continue reading Amtrak ridership and revenue soar on Michigan routes →

01/22/11

From The Detroit News Federal officials on Thursday announced a grant agreement has been signed for $25 million toward a proposed light rail project in downtown Detroit. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced the deal was signed by the Federal Transit Administration, city of Detroit and Michigan Department of Transportation for the first phase of … Continue reading Feds grant $25M for downtown light rail →

01/22/11

From the Detroit Free Press WASHINGTON – A grant agreement signed by federal officials, the city of Detroit and the Michigan Department of Transportation should clear the way for $25 million to be spent on a 3.4-mile, 12-station light rail line connecting downtown Detroit to Grand Boulevard in New Center. Federal Transit Administration officials announced … Continue reading Detroit light rail plan buoyed by $25M grant →

01/10/11

From The Battle Creek Enquirer A driver, allegedly blinded by the sun while traveling south on Helmer Road, today slammed into the side of a westbound Amtrak passenger train, according to Battle Creek police. Though the car was totaled, the driver was conscious when officers arrived at the scene about 2:24 p.m. An Air Care … Continue reading Driver crashes car into Amtrak train →

01/09/11

From the Lansing State Journal A proposed multibillion-dollar magnetic levitation train that would run through Livingston County could be financed using taxpayer-backed credit ratings if agreed to by government units, a Troy-based financier said. The danger: If a public-private lease agreement were broken, government units that provide local services would be on the hook to … Continue reading Financier suggests public backing for train →

01/08/11

From The Dowagiac Daily News Light Up the Depot illuminated Dowagiac’s train station with 550 bulbs, with another 650 added to the roof next Christmas as phase two. “The amazing part about all of this is that the money did not come from individual people, like we thought it would,” Ron Leatz told Dowagiac City … Continue reading Depot roof will be lighted next year →

01/08/11

From the Calagary Herald RT&S Tuesday, November 30, 2010 One of Canada’s oldest industries could open new markets to Asia without the need for an expensive or controversial pipeline to the West Coast, executives from both major railroads said, the Calgary Herald reports. Speaking at an oilsands conference in Calgary, James Cairns, a vice-president with … Continue reading Shipping oil by rail touted over pipeline →

12/13/10

From Detroit Free Press News from Washington in October that the state would get $150 million to develop a high-speed railway between Kalamazoo and Dearborn brought a welcome push to Michigan’s efforts to build a 21st-Century transportation system. But the federal government can’t help those states that won’t help themselves. Michigan now faces the very … Continue reading Editorial: Michigan at risk of losing rail funds →

12/13/10

INDIANA — A collision between a vehicle and an Amtrak train bound for Grand Rapids caused nearly a one-hour delay for passengers Sunday evening, but no one on the train was injured. The driver of the vehicle was taken to a hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening, an Amtrak spokeswoman said today. The crash … Continue reading Indiana car-train collision Sunday delays Amtrak arrival in Grand Rapids →

12/12/10

From AnnArbor.com City of Ann Arbor transportation manager Eli Cooper drew a line between two dots representing Detroit and Ann Arbor on a large Michigan map. “The first goes here,” he said referring to what he and many others see as the first priority for an improved rail line in Michigan. Area residents at the … Continue reading Advocates tell residents to lobby for better rail service →

12/10/10

From the Muskegon Chronicle Muskegon community leaders and train aficionados are hoping for a “choo-choo” under their Christmas tree. They gathered this week to contemplate the future of train service in Michigan. With dreams of restoring passenger rail service to Muskegon and even creating a lakeshore tourist route to Mackinaw City, it might take Santa … Continue reading Muskegon residents are asking for passenger rail service along the lakeshore →

12/09/10

From AnnArbor.com Federal high-speed rail grant money turned down by Wisconsin and Ohio will be redirected to about a dozen other states eager to help develop high-speed rail corridors, and Michigan isn’t on the list of receivers, federal officials announced this afternoon. The incoming Republican governors in Wisconsin and Ohio indicated recently they would not … Continue reading Michigan not on list of states receiving high-speed rail funding turned down by Ohio and Wisconsin →

12/09/10

From the Muskegon Chronicle The public is invited to a forum Wednesday evening on the future of Michigan’s passenger rail transportation. The open meeting is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. at the Shoreline Inn and Conference Center, 750 Terrace Point Blvd. Residents are encouraged to speak out on how best to improve passenger and … Continue reading Passenger rail future is topic of Muskegon public meeting →

12/08/10

From Michigan Now/Interlochen Public Radio A month ago, Michigan’s congressmen and senators were hailing the federal government, which would be sending $161 million dollars for high speed rail. Track improvements might mean a trip from Detroit to Chicago in just three hours. But a struggling state government would have to find a way to match … Continue reading $161M On The Line: Will Michigan See High-Speed Rail? →

12/07/10

From The South End The Woodward Avenue Light Rail Transit Project, a public transit train that will travel from Hart Plaza to Grand Boulevard – and eventually extending to Eight Mile Road – will bring Detroit a chance to transform from a weary, old-fashioned city into a lively, innovative metropolis – or at least that’s … Continue reading DDOT hopes to break ground on M-1 light rail project next fall →

12/06/10

From the Lansing State Journal  The East Lansing Amtrak station was a busy place Nov. 24 – the day before Thanksgiving – as travelers crowded aboard Chicago-bound trains. Tim Hoeffner braved cold weather along with the other passengers. The administrator for the Michigan Department of Transportation’s Office of High-Speed Rail was on hand to talk … Continue reading In the news: Tim Hoeffner, administrator of the Michigan Department of Transportation’s Office of High-Speed Rail →

12/02/10

From The Traverse City Record-Eagle  Railroad cars haven’t moved for months on the tracks near Dan Welburn’s condominium complex. He estimates the 15 or so cars have been dormant since July, apparently there for storage. Now he and other residents of Lake Ridge condos, on the western edge of Boardman Lake in Traverse City, want … Continue reading Train storage irks residents →

12/01/10

From the Detroit Free Press The benefits to Metro Detroit of intercity passenger rail and commuter rail service are clear — economic development, environmental improvement, affordable connections between our communities and convenient travel to and from home and work. The sticking point has been how to pay for it. Until now. Successful funding and completion … Continue reading High Speed Rail in Michigan could become a reality if the State Senate acts →

12/01/10

From The Grand Rapids Press Grand Rapids is on the verge of a passenger rail renaissance that promises to accelerate economic development, boost tourism, help the environment and better connect Grand Rapidians with the rest of the state and the nation. In order to make that happen, state senators must approve legislation securing $161 million … Continue reading Guest column: Michigan lawmakers must act to secure $161 million for fast passenger rail service →

12/01/10

From Crain’s Detroit Business A local state lawmaker’s self-described Hail Mary attempt to get the enabling legislation for a new Detroit River crossing out of a Senate committee and onto the floor for a full vote failed today. Sen. Ray Basham, D-Taylor, tried using a procedural maneuver to get HB 4961 out of the Senate … Continue reading Last minute attempt fails to get DRIC bill out of Michigan Senate committee →

12/01/10

From the Gary Post-Tribune Construction will start next year on the $71.4 million railroad project that the feds authorized for Northwest Indiana in early 2010, state transportation officials said Monday. The project, which is supposed to relieve congestion in a bottleneck from Porter County to the Indiana/Illinois state line, is paid solely by stimulus funding. It’s … Continue reading High-speed rail work to start in ’11 →

11/17/10

From Trains Magazine SAULT STE. MARIE, Ont. — Canadian National’s Agawa Canyon tour train equipment is on its way to Illinois for refurbishment and repainting. CN spokesman Mark Hallman told TRAINS News Wire the C$10 million project aims to improve the ride experience. CN acquired the tour train with its 2001 purchase of Wisconsin Central … Continue reading Agawa Canyon tour train to be refurbished, repainted →

11/12/10

From NPR’s “All Things Considered” High-speed rail may be among the casualties of last week’s midterm elections. The governors-elect of Wisconsin and Ohio say they will reject hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding intended to start up new high-speed passenger rail service in their states, even though the projects require their states to … Continue reading Not so fast: High Speed Rail future not so certain →

11/12/10