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Press Releases

Moving Michigan forward

New transportation coalition, unprecedented in breadth, kicks off campaign to boost communities, economies with connected, convenient choices

PRESS RELEASE
April 7, 2011

Contact:
Tim Fischer, MEC:  734-255-9206
Arnold Weinfeld, MML: 517-230-8071
Rick Chapla, Right Place: 616-443-6053

Making Michigan’s towns and economies more robust through transportation policy reform and smart investments in roads and bridges is the ambition behind Transportation For Michigan (Trans4M). The new coalition was announced today during a statewide telephone press conference.

 “This coalition is dedicated to establishing public policies that enable more frequent, reliable and affordable transportation options and smart, effective prioritization of upkeep for our existing roads and bridges,” said Dan Gilmartin, executive director of the Michigan Municipal League.  “To be competitive, Michigan must recognize the vital role that these services play in our economy and our quality of life.”

The broad-based Trans4M coalition partners include nonprofits, businesses, policy makers, environmental groups, planners, academic institutions and others.  It comes at a crucial time for Michigan as the state retools its beleaguered economy in the midst of rising gasoline prices and declining revenue for road repairs and improvements.

“Now more than ever we have to be strategic and smart with every dollar we invest,” said Rich Studley, chief executive officer of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce. “Maintaining our current roads and bridges, and providing options for people who want to become less dependent on gasoline and personal vehicles are key strategic goals for our state.”

Surveys consistently show that having reliable, affordable transportation options is a key factor in attracting and retaining jobs and talent. More than three-quarters of New Economy companies rated access to efficient public transportation as an extremely important factor in selecting corporate locations according to a recent survey by Jones Lang LaSalle, a financial and professional services company.

“Becoming more diverse, more flexible and more resilient in our economic foundation and in our transportation options is essential if we are to compete for future jobs and prosperity,” said Gilmartin. “Connecting our communities to each other, and workers to jobs, is both an economic and quality of life imperative.”

Transportation for Michigan intends to work with local, regional, state and federal decision makers to create strong transportation systems that will energize the state’s economic recovery. Priorities may include:

  • Supporting adequate and targeted investments in the state’s existing roads and bridges
  • Supporting Gov. Rick Snyder’s transportation budget recommendations for the Comprehensive Transportation Fund
  • Securing state legislative approval for matching funds that will leverage $161 million in federal dollars for high speed passenger rail projects along the Detroit-Chicago corridor
  • Creating regional transportation authorities to connect people and communities with multiple travel options

Chris Kolb, president of the Michigan Environmental Council, said the coalition’s goals make both economic and environmental sense.

“Moving people more efficiently reduces our dependency on fossil fuels and lessens the public health impacts caused by their emissions,” said Kolb. “Smarter transportation options mean more vibrant, more livable, healthier communities and a stronger economy.”

Trans4M will be adding organizations to its membership roll in coming months. Current members include:  Community Economic Development Association of Michigan,  Detroit Branch NAACP,  Disability Advocates of Kent County, Gamaliel of Michigan,  Land Information Access Association, Metropolitan Organizing Strategy Enabling Strength, Michigan Association of Planning, Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers, Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Michigan Environmental Council, Michigan Fitness Foundation, Michigan Land Use Institute, Michigan Municipal League, Michigan Suburbs Alliance, The Right Place, Inc.,  Transportation Riders United

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Reports

Michigan By Rail Final Summary Report

In June 2010, Michigan Environmental Council (MEC) and the Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers (MARP) convened a series of statewide public forums focused on Michigan’s rail system.  Sixteen Michigan By Rail public forums were held across the state during the summer and fall.

This summary of Michigan By Rail findings provides a brief overview of the Michigan By Rail public forums, a discussion of the five common themes that emerged through each forum, a description of each of the forums including promotional materials, sample press materials and sample maps from each forum that best represent the general direction of that particular forum.

The purpose of the Michigan By Rail public forums was to begin a statewide conversation about Michigan’s passenger rail system, to better understand what Michiganders want out of the state’s passenger rail system, and to encourage citizens to submit their ideas to the Michigan Department of Transportation for incorporation into the official State Rail Plan.

The forums took place on weekday evenings and were primarily participant-driven.  They began with opening remarks which included an explanation of Michigan By Rail public forums and the State Rail Plan.  MEC and MARP clearly distinguished Michigan By Rail public forums from the transportation department’s four listening sessions.

Short introductions of the sponsors, local partners, and elected-official hosts followed the opening remarks.  Three United States congressmen, twenty-five state legislators, more than twelve mayors, and numerous city council members and township officials hosted the events.  Over 100 local partners, including more than 40 municipalities, eighteen chambers of commerce, seven planning departments, six conventions and visitors’ bureaus, and many others, helped publicize the forums.  Roughly 1,100 citizens participated.

Interactive mapping sessions consumed the majority of the forums.  Participants clustered around tables in groups of about ten.  The participants were given large Michigan maps which contained only county lines.  The participants were instructed to first place a sticker on the map which indicated where they considered home.  Then, they placed another sticker on the map at a place that they considered to be important to the state — a natural area, culturally significant place, etc.  Some participants used more than one sticker.  They were then instructed to draw lines on the map where they would like to travel by passenger train.  They also were reminded to consider freight rail traffic.  Finally, a person from each table presented that table’s map to the group at large — summaries of discussions, an explanation of what they drew on the map, and so on. The full group had the opportunity to question and comment on each map.

A representative from Amtrak or the Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers explained Michigan’s current passenger rail system after the map presentations.  The overview of the current system was intentionally delayed until after each table presented its map so as not to influence the mapping session.  The system overview led into wide-ranging discussions that consumed the remainder of the forum.  The discussions varied from forum to forum based on participant interest.  Common themes emerged both in the discussions and written input submitted by participants.

MEC and MARP collected input from participants about the current passenger rail system and their visions for its future.  Participants’ comments and the maps they created were used in the preparation of this document.

Nearly all of the participants wanted an improved and expanded rail system including more frequent and reliable service.  Five passenger rail themes emerged over the course of sixteen Michigan By Rail public forums regarding how to best achieve that goal:

  1. Michigan’s passenger rail system should include a Traverse City to southern Michigan connection.
  2. Michigan’s passenger rail system should connect east Michigan to west Michigan.
  3. Michigan’s passenger rail system should connect Michigan’s universities.
  4. Michigan’s passenger rail system should include commuter rail connections.
  5. Michigan’s passenger rail system should connect to Toledo.

What follows is a brief discussion of each of the common themes.

Michigan’s passenger rail system should include a Traverse City to southern Michigan connection
Each map at each forum included connecting Traverse City to the southern part of the state in some fashion.  The southern connection points varied between Grand Rapids and the Ann Arbor area depending on where the forum was held.  The maps, discussion, and comments, however, were consistent across forums regarding a Traverse City to southern Michigan passenger rail connection.

Michigan’s passenger rail system should connect east Michigan to west Michigan
Almost every map included connecting Michigan’s east side to west side from Detroit to Lansing to Grand Rapids (and often Holland).  Discussions around this passenger rail connection focused on linking together Michigan’s three principal cities (without first traveling to Chicago); commuter possibilities; connecting two major universities, Michigan State University and Wayne State University; make doing business easier in the three cities; and tourist travel — sports venues in Detroit, Art Prize in Grand Rapids, and the Capitol and other state government interests in Lansing.

Michigan’s passenger rail system should connect Michigan’s universities
Participants consistently mentioned a desire to connect Michigan’s universities and colleges. Some Michigan college towns are currently served by Amtrak; increasing service frequency, re-scheduling to accommodate the academic calendar, and connecting the college and universities together were reoccurring points.  The rationale that surfaced most typically in connecting the state’s academic institutions was to allow for instructors and students to more easily work and study at more than one institution.

Michigan’s passenger rail system should include commuter rail connections
Participants at each forum discussed the need for some sort of commuter rail service connecting the principal cities to outlying areas, particularly Detroit, Ann Arbor, Flint and Grand Rapids.  These discussions included a direct rail connection to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW).

Michigan’s passenger rail system should connect to Toledo
Connecting Michigan’s existing passenger rail system to Toledo came up at each forum.  Participants discussed that one must travel to Chicago — or by motor coach to Toledo — to travel to points east such as New York.  Connecting Toledo to the Wolverine at Ann Arbor or Detroit was typically suggested.

More information, including photos of all of the participant-created maps, as well as local news articles covering many of the forums, is available at www.michiganbyrail.org.

Tim Fischer, Deputy Policy Director
Michigan Environmental Council

The full Michigan By Rail Summary Report is available online as a PDF file for viewing, downloading, or printing at:

http://bit.ly/fSYINU

Announcements, FYI

Maple Syrup Festival Train Ride

Train Rides – Shepherd to Mt. Pleasant

On Saturday April 30th a train will depart the Shepherd Train Depot and run to the Mountain Town Station Depot in Mt. Pleasant.

Train departs the Shepherd Depot hourly from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Pricing is $10.00 per person / round trip.

There will also be a Dinner Train leaving Mountain Town Station at 5:00 pm. The Dinner Train will be $70.00 & up, including all the beer and wine you would like. You must be 21 years or older to take part in the wine and beer tasting.

There will be a special wine and beer tasting in the Club Car. The price is $35.00 per person. Tickets are available at the following locations:

  • Shepherd Depot
  • The Hair Razor in Shepherd
  • Mountain Town Station in Mt. Pleasant

More info:

News

Decaying Central Depot to get spruce-up

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 1913.

“We’re applying with the city to replace the roof and the windows,” said Dan Stamper, bridge company president.

“We’re doing it because it would be much easier to help a developer to come up with a package to use the depot if some improvements were made … so that’s what we’re doing.”

Stamper said it was too early to come up with an estimate for the repairs, but acknowledged it would be expensive.

“We have our engineers working on an estimate,” he said.

Mayor Dave Bing’s office confirmed the city has had preliminary talks with the bridge company about repairs to the depot.

“But that’s about the extent of it so far,” said Bing spokesman Dan Lijana.

“Obviously seeing improvements to the central depot to make it look more aesthetically pleasing is something we would certainly support. But they haven’t pulled any permits as of yet. We await their next move.”

Created by the same architects who designed Grand Central Station in New York City, the building at one time was the largest train station in the world and known for its rich décor.

Decline and decay pulled into the station soon after the last train departed in January 1988. Scrappers looted the building.

Over the years, several ideas have been pitched for the building, including a new police headquarters. None has panned out. Nor has a 2009 resolution from the City Council to demolish it.

Because of its look of urban decay, the depot has been used in several films, including “Transformers,” “The Island,” “Four Brothers” and “Eight Mile.”

From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20110325/METRO01/103250394/Decaying-Central-Depot-to-get-spruce-up#ixzz1Jz6c38KP

News

Budget cuts all 2011 funds for high speed rail

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 year.

The Friday deal included a one-week bill that keeps the government’s doors open while bill-writers ink the six-month deal. The one-week bill carves $1.5 billion from the program immediately, and the six-month bill eliminates the remaining $2.9 billion that President Barack Obama wanted the program to receive this year.

The Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission says the bill will also rescind $400 million appropriated to the program in 2010. This money remains to be obligated because Florida turned back $2.4 billion in funds earlier this year for its planned Tampa-Orlando route.

Earlier reports indicated $1 billion survived the appropriations process, but it appears those reports were erroneous.

The bill will also cut $80 million from Amtrak’s budget below fiscal year 2010 levels.

Transportation cuts weren’t limited to the rail sector. Under the plan, Congress will rescind $2.5 billion in not-yet-obligated highway funds.

Source: http://trn.trains.com/en/Railroad%20News/News%20Wire/2011/04/Budget%20cuts%20all%202011%