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Newsletter

August 2016 edition of OnTrack

We hope you enjoy our new issue. And don’t forget that we like to hear from you. Do you have story ideas? Would you like to write one of your own? Let us know!

Highlights of the August issue:

  • MARP’s 43rd Annual Meeting on 24 September features an exciting keynote speaker
  • Information on registering to attend the Annual Meeting
  • The 4th Annual Michigan Rail Conference in Marquette MI features a panel on passenger operations in an era of lean public investment
  • The 21st Century State Infrastructure wants to hear from you
  • A Bylaws change will be voted on at the Annual Meeting
  • Reactions to the STB decisions on on-time performance and preference
  • Indian Trails, Inc. promotes “Pure Michigan” with new buses
  • Students now save 15% on Amtrak travel

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Announcements, Meetings

MARP Members Gather August 17, 2016

In conjunction with the 4th Annual Michigan Rail Conference
Northern Michigan University
University Center Building
1401 Presque Isle Ave
Marquette MI 49855
IT’S NOT TOO LATE! Make plans now to join fellow MARP members on August 17 at the 4th Annual Michigan Rail Conference on the campus of Northern Michigan University in Marquette.

MARP members will receive the “early bird” discount through August 9 when registering online. The fee will be $100 (a savings of $75). To receive the discount, enter the code MRC_MARP-late2016 in the box at the upper right of the final registration screen when entering your payment information (detailed instructions below).

MARP members wishing to attend only the passenger rail session at 12:45 on August 17 will be allowed to enter free, for that session only. This session is a panel discussion titled “Passenger Operations in an Era of Lean Public Investment”. Panelists include:

  • Chad Cushman, VP Business, Indian Trails, Inc., on Amtrak Thruway service in the Upper Peninsula.
  • Chris Bagwell, Executive VP & General Manager, Great Lakes Central Railroad, on restoration of passenger service in northern lower Michigan.
  • Larry Krieg, Chairman Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers, with an overview of Michigan passenger trains.
  • Frank Loetterle, Project Manager-Passenger Rail Office, Minnesota DOT, on the Northern Lights Express, a proposed higher-speed rail project linking the Twin Cities and Duluth.

View the complete Conference Program HERE

Here’s how to register online:

  • Click HERE to go to the registration page
  • Click on ADD TO CART
  • Complete the registration information form, then click CONTINUE. (The field trip is full. The golf outing is an extra charge.)
  • Click CHECKOUT on the next page
  • Add your e-mail address (sets up an automatic response for your registration), then click CONTINUE UNREGISTERED
  • Finally, put the Promotional Code MRC_MARP-late2016 in the box on the right side of the screen & click APPLY
  • Continue to follow the prompts to enter payment information and finish your registration.
LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU IN THE UP!
Announcements, Meetings

Register now for the 2016 annual Meeting on Sept. 24 in Durand

allaboardguySAVE THE DATE!

Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers
43rd ANNUAL MEETING
Durand Union Station
200 Railroad Street, Durand MI 48429
Sept. 24, 2016
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Make plans now to attend! Our keynote speaker is John Robert Smith, currently serving as Chairman of Transportation for America. During his 16 year tenure as Mayor of Meridian MS, he facilitated public-private partnerships in redeveloping the city’s Union Station as the Southeast’s first multi-modal transportation center. Mr. Smith is working closely with the Southern Rail Commission in an initiative to restart passenger train service between New Orleans and Florida and has served on the Amtrak board of directors, including terms as Chairman. In other business, MARP will elect officers for the 2016-18 term,  vote on a recommendation to revise language in the Bylaws relating to appointment and compensation of an Executive Director, and hear updates on Michigan rail projects.

COST: $25 per person includes a catered lunch

DEADLINE:  Sept. 14, 2016 is the deadline for registrations.

If you plan to attend, please Register Today!

CLICK HERE to register online

Or download the mail-in form and send with your personal check payable to MARP, Inc. to:

MARP, Inc. | PO BOX 510842 | LIVONIA MI 48151-6842

ACT NOW! The deadline for registration is Sept. 14, 2016.

Click on the button below to register online using PayPal, a major credit card or a debit card Click on the button below to register online using PayPal, a major credit card or a debit card




Prefer registration by U.S. mail? Click on the form below, print it, fill it out and mail along with your check

MARP Annual Mtg 2016 – mail-in form PDF

CLICK TO ENLARGE AND PRINT
CLICK TO ENLARGE AND PRINT
News

Port Huron train station no longer staffed

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 a.m., arriving in Chicago six hours and 35 minutes later. The return trip departs Chicago about 4 p.m., arriving in Port Huron at 11:38 p.m.

Marc Magliari, Amtrak spokesman, said the changes to staffing stations throughout the country follows a trend of passengers purchasing tickets online.

“More and more passengers are not using the ticket windows for purchasing their tickets,” Mahliari said. “Overwhelmingly the majority of our tickets are sold without any human interaction.”

Tickets will not be sold at the station. Passengers can make reservations and get eTickets at Amtrak.com, by using the free mobile apps, or by calling (800) 872-7245. The eTickets can printed at home or displayed using a smartphone. Passengers can also use Amtrak’s Quik-Trak ticketing kiosk at the station.

Amtrak started offering eTickets about four years ago. In 2014, nearly 24,000 people used the Port Huron station.

Magliari said Port Huron is joining a list of un-staffed stations that includes Grand Rapids, Lapeer, Durand, Holland, New Buffalo, St. Joseph and Troy.

Stations that remain staffed include Flint, Jackson, Detroit, Dearborn, Niles, Kalamazoo, Battle Creek and East Lansing.

At the end of the 2015 fiscal year, Amtrak employed 240 Michigan residents.

Magliari said he couldn’t say exactly where Port Huron’s station agent will go once the position is eliminated, but said the employee has union rights.

He said a caretaker will open and close the station and ensure it is clean and safe.

Amtrak also encourages passengers to be dropped off and picked up whenever possible at the Port Huron station, as parking is limited.

Matt Marderosian, director of Save Our Trains Michigan, said there is concern more cuts to staffing will be made along the Blue Water Line, which stretches between Port Huron and Chicago.

Marderosian said there is a demand to keep the trains running. He also believes many riders want the option of purchasing tickets onsite.

Source: http://www.thetimesherald.com/story/news/local/port-huron/2016/06/23/changes-coming-port-huron-train-station/86278374/