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Minutes

Meeting Minutes – Executive Committee – August 20, 2011 – East Lansing

MINUTES
MICHIGAN ASSOCIATION OF RAILROAD PASSENGERS
EXECUTUVE COMMITTEE MEETING
CORAL GABLES RESTAURANT, EAST LANSING

AUGUST 20, 2011

Present:  Jim Wallington, Barney Whittier, John Langdon, Kay Chase, Hugh Gurney, Bob Tischbein, Kathleen Newell, Jim Hinkins

Call to Order:  The meeting was called to order at 10:40 a.m. by Chairman Tischbein.

Newsletter: Aware of the resignation of Valderas as editor at the July 30 meeting, a lengthy discussion ensued about the direction MARP should now take to get its message out.  Should we continue with The Michigan Passenger in its present format on a quarterly basis, should we go to an 8 ½”x11” format like the NARP orNew YorkState publications, or should we rely mainly on an e-mail publication, or do some combination of these formats.  It was decided that a committee consisting of Chase, Wallington, Gurney andWhittier would sort these issues out and make a recommendation at the October 8 meeting.

It was agreed that we should advertize among our membership for a new editor.  Chase thought a student intern was a possibility.  Langdon agreed to check out the community college inHolland.  Wallington suggested Sobczak, our webmaster.  There was general, but not total, agreement that we might have to pay a new editor.

TRANS4M-   Transportation For Michigan:  Chase handed out a briefing statement on Trans4M, a coalition of groups working for better public transportation, including trains, intercity bus and urban transit.  MARP is one of the original members.  Langdon, Chase and Monteith are the most involved.  Langdon and Monteith serve on the Outreach Committee which is attempting to bring additional organizations into the coalition, thus increasing its clout.  They also serve on the Policy Team which has three major goals:  

            Passage of a rail bonding bill in the state legislature

            Local implementation of the “Complete Streets” legislation passed in 2010

            Passage of legislation to enable formation of a Regional Transit Authority in

           Southeast Michigan.

 Chase is working with the Community Organizing Team which is developing toolkits and training materials to help in engaging citizens in transportation policy decisions which will advance the Trans4M mission.

As to the rail bonding bill, Langdon noted that it had been introduced in the Michigan House of Representatives.  It is a way to come up with the approximately $28 m match required to capture the high speed rail grants promised toMichiganby the U. S. Department of Transportation.

Route Enhancement Committee:  Langdon expressed pleasure that members were becoming more active in promoting various rail services, but felt they needed the input and support of the Executive Committee to be spokespersons.  Chase agreed, and suggested that such activities be reviewed and approved by the Route Enhancement Committee.  Several of the newer members present were unfamiliar with the Route Enhancement Committee, so Gurney handed out copies of the Route Enhancement Committee (REC) recommendations made back in 2007.  Gurney agreed to reactivate the committee.

Membership:  Newell noted that membership to date is down from 2010.  Last year, we recruited 85 NARP members as new members.  To date, 47 of those, mostly senior citizens, have renewed.  Chase agreed to get the current NARP membership list from DeLora and send a letter to those not on our list.  She will also send out a reminder to all non renewing 2010 members.

Meetings:  Whittier reported that November 12 had been finalized as the date for the monthly meeting inSt. Joseph.  We will be meeting in the newly renovated St. Joseph Amtrak station.  A buffet will be set up for lunch.

Amtrak 40th Anniversary Train:  The special Amtrak 40th Anniversary Train will be on display in Jackson on October 8 & 9.  Those wishing to volunteer aboard the train can register with Amtrak.  Langdon has requested a MARP table at the Jackson Depot on those dates, to be shared with the Friends of the Jackson Station.  Volunteers are needed to staff our table.  If our request for a table is denied, we have the option of sharing a table with NARP.

Amtrak 2012 Budget: Langdon urged all to write letters to theirU. S. Senators and Representatives urging full funding for Amtrak in 2012.  Chase agreed and suggested we should be meeting these people during August when they are at home in their districts.  Langdon suggested that Larry Sobczak put information about district meetings on our web site.

Chase urged all to sign the Stand Up for Trains petition being circulated by NARP.  She would like to see MARP do a viewpoint letter in one major newspaper inMichigan.  We also need letters to the editor in all newspapers.  Langdon offered to contact NARP for assistance with strategy.

 Adjournment:  The meeting adjourned at 12:30 p.m.

 Respectfully submitted:                                              Accepted:

 Hugh D. Gurney                                                         Robert Tischbein

Secretary                                                                     Chair

Announcements, FYI, News

Amtrak Pere Marquette to run 90 minutes early for temporary period, beginning Aug. 15

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 Langdon, a spokesman for the Michigan Association of Rail Passengers, said the track work involves replacing rails, ties and ballast.

He said CSX, which operates the track, wants to have the tracks cleared early in the day to allow for more daytime work hours. Amtrak’s return schedule on the Pere Marquette, the line running from Grand Rapids to Chicago, will remain unchanged.

The temporary schedule is expected to last through Sept. 1.

With the temporary change, all stops on the morning Amtrak run also will be 90 minutes earlier than normal. Amtrak stops in Holland, Bangor and St. Joseph before reaching Chicago.

Source: http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2011/08/amtrak_to_run_90_minutes_early.html

News

Editorial: Q&A with Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff: Build balanced transit

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: The City of Detroit has already cut bus service significantly. Without a regional transportation plan in place, operating new light rail service on Woodward could divert more money from the Detroit Department of Transportation and the city’s already inadequate bus system. Does the FTA consider that an impediment to completing the Woodward Light Rail Project?

ANSWER: Yes, it is. We are critically concerned. We’re not interested in building a rail system that’s going to starve the bus system. For transit to work in this city — or any other — you need both, and you need to have them coordinated and planned in a way that they’re not only feeding each other but also serving all the requisite employment centers, hospitals, universities. Going through the financing plans, we do have concerns about whether funds for the bus service would have to be diverted for the rail system.

Read more: http://www.freep.com/article/20110814/OPINION01/108140440

News

Editorial: A modern public transit system is within reach

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 White, CEO of the Woodward Light Rail Project, deserve great credit for taking on a project that could lead, at last, to a first-class regional transit system.

That said, Detroit must stop the foot-dragging on creating a regional transit authority that would operate not only light rail but also an improved city and suburban bus system. If not, the city risks undermining already faltering bus service — and even derailing plans to run light rail along Woodward, from 8 Mile to downtown.

The project would take roughly $10 million a year to operate. State transit funds and — on a short-term basis — federal congestion mitigation money could cover some operating costs. Even so, without a regional authority and dedicated funding, the project is simply not viable.

Read more: http://www.freep.com/article/20110814/OPINION01/108140434/Editorial-modern-public-transit-system-within-reach?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Opinion

Announcements, Meetings

MARP 38th Annual Meeting – REGISTER NOW!

Saturday, September 10, 2011, is the date for MARP’s 38th Annual Meeting. Clara’s On The River –the former Michigan Central depot in Battle Creek – is the place. Our keynote speaker will be former Congressman Dr. John “Joe” Schwarz, whose experience in government and lifelong interest in railroading give him a unique perspective and influential voice in the continued development of train services in Michigan. Tim Hoeffner, head of MDOT’s office of high-speed rail, and Rick Harnish, Midwest High Speed Rail Assoc., will provide updates on the many exciting initiatives to expand and improve passenger train services in our region. We will also hear about the renovation of the Battle Creek Station which is now underway.

Reservations for the meeting, which includes a catered, sit-down luncheon, must be postmarked by Wednesday, August 24. GET YOURS IN THE MAIL NOW!

Click here to download a registration form.