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BEFORE THE

SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD

________________________________

FINANCE DOCKET NO. 35063

________________________________

MICHIGAN CENTRAL RAILWAY, LLC

ACQUISITION AND OPERATION EXEMPTION –

LINES OF NORFOLK SOUTHERN RAILWAY COMPANY

________________________________

MICHIGAN ASSOCIATION OF RAILROAD PASSENGERS’

COMMENTS TO

PETITION FOR CLASS EXEMPTION

Michael J. Whims

Chairman

Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers

1014 Iroquois Boulevard

Royal Oak, MI 48067

Tel: (248) 892-4545

Fax: (248) 546-6534

The Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers (MARP) is a non-profit corporation organized under the laws of the State of Michigan in 1973. Its purpose is to improve and expand passenger train services operating in the State of Michigan.

Pursuant to 49USC §10502 and 49CFR § 1121.1 et seq., Michigan Central Railway has requested exemption from the provisions of 49 USC §10901 regarding its proposed acquisition of certain rail lines currently owned and operated by Norfolk Southern (NS).

In MARP’s opinion, U.S. rail policy in 49 USC 10101(4) is clear that passenger train service is part of the Surface Transportation Board’s (STB) mandate i.e., “To ensure the development and continuation of a sound rail transportation system with effective competition among rail carriers and with other modes, to meet the needs of the public and the national defense.” (Emphasis added). The phrase “with effective competition…” is inclusive in nature, not exclusive.

Further, the transaction is not of ‘limited scope” as specified in 49 USC §10501 (a) (2) (a). Instead, this transaction is clearly of national scope and importance because:

It affects eight passenger trains per day.¹
There are far more passenger than freight trains on the Ypsilanti-Kalamazoo portion of the affected routes.²
The number of passengers involved is more than 500,000 per year, far greater than the stated number of MC’s shippers on all of the affected lines.³
The Ypsilanti-Kalamazoo segment has been designated by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation as a future High Speed Rail Corridor.⁴
The state of Michigan has joined with the following eight states- 1) Illinois; 2) Indiana; 3) Iowa; 4) Minnesota; 5) Missouri; 6) Nebraska; 7) Ohio; and 8) North Dakota- to form the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission to foster development of high speed passenger train service on the Ypsilanti-Kalamazoo segment.⁵
The Michigan Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department of Transportation have spent $102.8 million in Michigan to improve speed, safety and ride quality on the line between Pontiac and Chicago.⁶
The cities of Albion, Battle Creek, Dowagiac Durand, Flint, Kalamazoo and Lapeer plus the Capital Area Rail Council (Lansing area) have built or purchased stations that serve as gateways to their communities from Amtrak trains operating over the affected lines.
Plans have been publicly announced in Dearborn, Detroit and Troy, MI for station enhancements for handling expected increases in passenger traffic between Pontiac and Chicago.
The line from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo is part of a plan by MI-DOT’s to restructure the Pere Marquette passenger train service by running the service over this segment.⁷
The Detroit-Chicago line is part of an emergency evacuation route which has been agreed upon by the several states of the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission⁸

In spite of Watco’s public pronouncements, MARP is very concerned with WATCO’s financial and technical capacity to maintain passenger track and signals to the standards currently used by Amtrak. None of WATCO’s properties involve passenger train dispatching, Centralized Traffic Control, or maintenance of track to Federal Railroad Administration Class 4 track standards.

MARP has no objection to WATCO being involved with the freight operation on these lines. Its role as an owner, however, raises many issues. MARP is deeply concerned that on its Palouse and Coulee City Railroad, according to Washington State DOT, “WATCO Inc. has indicated it does not have enough capital to address the backlog of repairs necessary to keep all the lines in operation ⁹.” In addition, WATCO abandoned service on part of the railroad without prior notification. It did not resume service until after WS-DOT filed a complaint with the STB.

In MARP’s opinion, MC’s pledge to keep the line to current Amtrak standards is a promise which is not backed by enforceable guarantees. For that reason, MARP urges the following conditions to this transaction:

The Surface Transportation Board should retain jurisdiction over this transaction for ten years.
Amtrak should be a voting member of the MC Management Committee, and an ex officio member of any subordinate committees.
Watco has publicly indicated that in order to maintain a smooth transition, that NS will continue dispatching for 6-12 months. MARP feels this is reasonable, but due to the predominance of passenger movements over freight movements, Amtrak should assume Norfolk Southern’s dispatching duties for all passenger and freight movements between Ypsilanti and Kalamazoo after the transition period.
Amtrak runs more trains over the route by a two to one ratio; therefore Amtrak should be designated as the maintenance of way contractor. This will ensure that work will be done promptly and properly, since Amtrak has the greatest vested interest in high quality trackage, and has a maintenance of way base in Niles, MI.
MC should be mandated to notify Amtrak and STB within one business day of any slow order that is imposed on tracks over which Amtrak operates, along with the expected date of remediation.
Watco / MC should be required to post a joint $25,000,000 letter of credit for a period of 10 years, with the letter of credit callable by Amtrak on 20 days notice if any of these commitments is not completed in a timely manner, or if a slow order which was not previously agreed to by Amtrak is imposed on Amtrak trains as the result of inadequate maintenance.
MC should be required to produce inspection reports and certification to the satisfaction of Amtrak’s Chief Engineer that the condition of each bridge on the Kalamazoo – Ypsilanti segment qualifies passenger trains to traverse each bridge at a speed of 79 mph (if located where alignment permits such speed).
MC should be required to agree that each bridge on the Kalamazoo – Ypsilanti segment either qualifies for passenger train bridge traversal speeds of 90 or 110 mph (if located where alignment permits such speeds) or, if not, MC’s disclosure at this time of MC’s position regarding the scope of bridge modifications that will be required.
MC should be required to produce a detailed specification, including completion dates, of the timber and surfacing work and the signal work to be done by MC on the Kalamazoo – Ypsilanti segment during each year in its 5 year capital program, and the service disruptions, if any, that that work will create for Amtrak.
MC should be required to commit that its resurfacing work will not change the elevation of tracks at a station platform where the station platform already is or originally was at the 8 inch height above the top of rail, and in addition, to commit that at other stations track resurfacing work will be focused on adjusting the elevation of the tracks at stations so that the platform will be 8 inches above the top of rail, in compliance with Access Board requirements.

Respectfully submitted,

__________________________________

Michael J. Whims

Chairman

Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers

1014 Iroquois Boulevard

Royal Oak, MI 48067

Tel: (248) 892-4545

Fax: (248) 546-6534

I, Michael J. Whims, declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. Further, I certify that I am qualified and authorized to file this pleading.

Executed on September 6, 2007. ______________________________

Michael J. Whims

_______________________________

[1] Amtrak timetable, Spring-Summer, 2007

²P. 16, Michigan Central Petition for Exemption to STB. Document # 219765

³http://mdotwas1.mdot.state.mi.us/public/railstats/index.cfm?event=RidershipHistByCorr

⁴http://www.fra.dot.gov/us/content/203

⁵http://www.miprc.org/

⁶MI-DOT, Intermodal Planning Administration

⁷http://michigan.gov/documents/mdot/MDOT-MWRRI_Executive_Report_193254_7.pdf

⁸http://www.miprc.org/portal/uploads/lkliewer/MIPRC_rail_&_emergency_preparedness_report.pdf

⁹WS-DOT website URL -www.wsdot.wa.gov/publications/folio/PalouseCoulee.pdf

Reports

The Public Benefits of Passenger Trains

September 1, 2007 admin

By Kay Chase, Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers

September, 2007

The transportation system in the U.S. is facing daunting challenges which demand new solutions – solutions that include greater reliance on rail to move both people and goods.

The challenges include increasing highway congestion, cancellations and delays at airports, rising fuel costs, greenhouse gas emissions, and, particularly in Michigan, an aging population and inadequate financial resources for highway maintenance and construction. All of these are making travel more time consuming, costly, polluting, and dangerous.

In the period 1990-2001, vehicle travel on Michigan interstate highways increased 33%, while lane miles increased only 3% (TRIP, page 3). Highway traffic is expected to increase another 40% by 2026 if no new capacity is added. This will result in congested conditions on two-thirds of the state’s urban interstates and one-third of the rural interstates (TRIP, page 5).

Michigan faces two additional challenges: (1) an aging population, and (2) severe financial constraints that are hampering maintenance of the existing system, let alone allowing for future road expansion.

A report prepared in 2006 for the Michigan Department of Transportation states “The dominant socioeconomic change in Michigan is expected to be the increase in aging and retired populations.” (SocioecTR, page 30)

Consequently, MDOT predicts a tripling of highway fatalities among persons 65 or older in the next 25 years if present trends continue. (SafetyTR, page 20)

On the subject of safety, it is worth noting that “There has not been a single passenger death, other than from natural causes, on a Michigan train since Amtrak’s inception.” (personal communication, John DeLora, Executive Director of the Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers).

It is not unreasonable to assume that commuter and passenger trains will assume a greater role in Michigan’s future transportation system. The state of Michigan, along with other states throughout the Midwest, appears ready to place greater reliance on off-highway solutions to meet future transportation needs.

The recently completed Michigan State Long Range Transportation Plan (MichSLRP) foresees a revenue gap that will hamper both maintenance and repair of existing roads and bridges and the ability to add new capacity to the system. With nearly 60% of the state’s interstate highways in fair condition or worse – and with the looming bankruptcy of the Federal Highway Trust Fund – the need for new solutions is critical.

The State Long Range Plan proposes investing “in all transportation modes” and acknowledges the need for “adding new capital . . . expanding transit and rail passenger service.” (MichSLRP “Preferred Vision”, p.18)

Because travel by rail is safe, energy efficient, cost effective, and convenient, it seems clear that the state’s rail system offers the greatest potential for meeting future travel needs, given the challenges outlined above.

The transportation sector accounts for nearly a third of U.S. energy consumption. Cars and light trucks account for 60% of U.S. energy consumption, domestic air carriers 7%, Class I freight railroads 2%, and commuter- and intercity-rail a tiny 0.2%. (ORNL, Table 2.6)

On the basis on energy consumed per passenger mile, passenger rail (Amtrak) is 27% more efficient than cars, 57% more efficient than light trucks, and 43% more efficient than certified route airlines.

Transportation Mode Btu per passenger mile

Personal trucks 4,329

Certified air route 3.959

Cars 3,496

Intercity rail (Amtrak) 2,760

Source: Transportation Energy Data Book, Edition 26 (2007), Table 2.12

Technical improvements in equipment and changes in operating procedures have allowed Amtrak to cut its fuel use 10% over the period 2004-2006 – even while carrying more people on more trains (AMTRK-1).

Despite these efficiencies, rising fuel prices added $43 million to operating expenses over the period. This fact highlights the need for excellent track and signal maintenance and efficient dispatching to avoid fuel-wasting delays while enroute.

Growing concern with greenhouse gas emissions and the implications for global climate change make it likely that carbon will be regulated in the near future. Because the transportation sector accounts for almost a third of U.S. energy use, the highest share recorded since 1970 (ORNL, Table 2.1), and a third of the carbon dioxide emissions (ORNL, Table 11.4), the need for fundamental change is clear.

Passenger train travel, being more fuel efficient on a per passenger mile basis, will emit far less carbon dioxide.

For a trip of 280 miles, roughly the distance between Chicago and Detroit, one standard 5-car passenger train carrying 300 passengers will emit 19.5 tons less CO² than 191 automobiles carrying an equivalent number of passengers and almost 13 tons less CO² than the two airplanes needed to carry the same number of passengers (adapted from GHG spreadsheet developed by ELPC).

gal.fuel used^a x CO² factor^b = CO² emissions per vehicle

CO² emissions per vehicle x no.vehicles to move 300 people = lbs. CO²

Intercity Train (diesel) – a 5-car train will move 310 people

(281^c x 1.75) x 22.384 = 11,007 x 1 = 11,007 lbs or 5.5 tons CO²

Automobile – at 1.57 passengers per automobile, 191 vehicles needed to move 300

(279 / 20.8) x 19.594 = 263 x 191 = 50,199 lbs. or 25 tons CO²

Air – a Boeing 737-700 seats149 in all economy configuration

(0.9 hr. x 970) x 21.095 = 18, 415.935 x 2 = 36,832 lbs. or 18.4 tons CO²

^a based on Amtrak 1.75 gals/train mile est.; 20.8 mpg fleet average for automobiles; Air Transport Action Group est. of 970 gal jet fuel/flight hour

^bCO² factor calculated by Energy Information Administration

Aside from the substantial savings in fuel use and harmful emissions, train travel has some less obvious, but important, advantages over air travel. Train stations are typically located in downtown areas, thus saving the time and fuel needed to drive to airports many miles from the urban center. In addition, trains serve many smaller communities that have no commercial air service, bringing people to jobs, shopping and education facilities.

In summary, passenger rail offers a number of public benefits, among them:

Time- and cost-effectiveness
Safety
Fuel efficiency
Fewer harmful emissions

Americans are responding by riding the trains in record numbers and demanding faster and more frequent trains. A recent Harris poll asked “Who should have an increasing share of passenger transportation?” 44% of respondents said passenger trains should have an increasing share, with commuter trains a close second at 35%. A mere 11% favored an increasing share for cars. Movement of goods by freight rail was favored by 63%. Asked about their priorities for future passenger transportation, 47% said safety was their first concern, 44% said energy efficiency, while only 29% rated cost as a priority. (Harris)

Investment of public dollars at all levels has spurred economic development in urban centers. Rising fuel costs and concerns with greenhouse gas emissions demand expansion of the transportation system to include greater reliance on trains – passenger, commuter and freight – to move people and goods.

Continued success will require a mutually beneficial partnership with the freight railroad industry, an industry that offers many of the same public benefits.

In conclusion, passenger trains offer substantial public benefits that include safety, convenience, and cost-effectiveness, while lowering emissions of greenhouse gases

Improving trip times and increasing the number of trains on corridors connecting the nation’s downtown business centers can significantly improve regional transportation, often at a fraction of the cost of expanding highway or airport capacity. Many states have focused on rail corridor development as a critical element of improving access to city centers. With modest funding, these corridors could be able to better manage growing highway congestion and provide important environmental, economic and transportation benefits.

— Amtrak Government Affairs “Corridor & State Trains”, February 2007

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

REFERENCES

AMTRK-1 “Energy Efficient Travel”, June 2006

http://www.amtrak.com/pdf/Energy_Efficient_Travel.pdf

AMTRK-2 Amtrak Fact Sheet, FY 2006 “State of Michigan”

http://www.amtrak.com/pdf/factsheets/MICHIGAN06.pdf

AMTRK-3 Amtrak Government Affairs “Corridor and State Trains” (Feb. 2007)

http://www.amtrak.com/pdf/CorridorTrains.pdf

ELPC Environmental Law & Policy Center, Chicago IL

http://www.elpc.org

Harris The Harris Poll #14, February 8, 2006

www.harrisinteractive.com/harris_poll/index.asp?PID=638

TRIP Michigan Report, “Saving Lives, Time, and Money” (June 2006)

www.tripnet.org/MichiganInterstateReport062706.pdf

MichSLRP Michigan State Long Range Plan

www.michigan.gov.mdot

MWRRI-1 Midwest Regional Rail System, “Benefiting Michigan’s Economy”

http://michigan.gov/documents/mdot/MDOT-MWRRI_Michigan_brochure_193255_7.pdf

MWRRI-2 Midwest Regional Rail System, Executive Report (September, 2004)

http://michigan.gov/documents/mdot/MDOT-MWRRI_Executive_Report_193254_7.pdf

ORNL Transportation Energy Data Book: Edition 26 (2007), published by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Center for Transportation Analysis

http://cta.ornl.gov/data/index.shtml

SafetyTR Highway Safety Technical Report (MDOT 2006)

http://michigan.gov/documents/MDOT_TR_Safety_Report_7-28-06_166942_7.pdf

SocioecTR Socioeconomics Technical Report (MDOT 2006)

http://michigan.gov/documents/MDOT_SocioecTR_20060807_Final_167

566_7.pdf

Minutes

Minutes – July 14, 2007 – Lapeer

July 14, 2007 admin

MICHIGAN ASSOCIATION OF RAILROAD PASSENGERS

General Membership Meeting

Saturday, July 14, 2007

Lapeer Railroad Station

Lapeer, Michigan

MINUTES

Those Signing In: Hugh Gurney, Mark Buckley, Steve T. Sobel, Duke Van Til, Vi Van Til, Jim Hinkins, Don Monteith, Clark Charnetski, Robert Patterson, Mike Whims, Dave Randall, Tim Backhurst, John Langdon, Rich Vavra-Musser, Kaz Fujita, Larry Sobczak, Bob Tischbein, Diane Patterson

1) Call to Order: Chairman Whims called the meeting to order at 10:01 a.m, and declared the meeting to be a General Member Meeting; there being a quorum of members present. He thanked Dick Pekarek for making the arrangements for the meeting in this beautifully restored station which is used today for community meetings as well as a waiting room for Amtrak. Whims particularly welcomed MARP member Mark Buckley from Amtrak and asked all in attendance to introduce themselves.

2) Minutes of the June 16, 2007 meeting were reviewed. After clarification as to why Kaz Fujita’s name was not listed among Nominations, acceptance was moved by Duke Van Til, seconded by Steve Sobel, and approved.

3) Executive Director’s Report: Mike Whims reported that Executive Director John Delora was temporarily ill and could not attend. John plans to work on research for his talk at the Michigan Railroad History Conference while he is recuperating.

4) Treasurer’s Report: Dave Randall reported that MARP had $4,741.48 in the checking account on June 29, 2007 and $15,749.94 in the Pratt Investment Fund. We currently have 292 paid members and 15 life members. Dave will be following up with those who have not renewed. As requested by Chairman Whims, Randall agreed to assemble the e-mail addresses of all members. In response to a question from Robert Patterson, Randall indicated that Regional Chairs are given a list of members in their region sorted by Zip code. Whims urged Regional Chairs to make more use of these lists. Acceptance of the Treasurer’s Report was moved by Robert Patterson, seconded by Montieth, and approved.

5) Regional Activity Reports:

a) Eastern: Reporting for Dick Pekarek, Mike Whims reported that Blue Water On Time Performance, though still less than acceptable, had been better during the last month than in any previous reporting period in 2007. Unless requested, Pekarek does not plan to report on this subject at future meetings.

b) Metro: Reporting for Delora, Whims stated that progress was being made on the Howell-Ann Arbor commuter line. The state has pledged $1.4 million, which comes out to $14.00 per train mile, which Whims thought should be sufficient for operation. State-funded Amtrak trains receive about $10.00 per train mile from the state. Depending on when federal funds are approved, service may start in late 2007 or early 2008.

2008 is still the estimated time frame for Ann Arbor-Detroit regional trail service.

MDOT is currently constructing a temporary station at Pontiac to replace the current transportation center which is being torn down.

Clark Charnetski reported that plans for a new station in Dearborn west of the present site are still on track.

c) Northern: Don Monteith has been checking out bus stations and signage at these stations along the Amtrak Thruway bus lines in Northern Michigan. Addresses for these stations are correct in the Indian Trails schedules but not in the Amtrak schedules. Whims indicated he would contact Amtrak and request corrections. After some discussion, it was agreed that MARP should promote Indian Trails service in Northern Michigan, encouraging the state Welcome Centers to stock Indian Trails schedules and working with Indian Trails President McKay on better connections between Amtrak and Indian Trails service. Whims will invite McKay to a future membership meeting.

Montieth expressed fear that the closing of a paper mill at Gaylord could lead to the ripping out of the present rail line to that community.

d) Western: John Langdon reported that ownership of the Amtrak station in Holland is up in the air. He also indicated that the New Buffalo Welcome Center is stocking the Amtrak National schedules, but not the Michigan timetables. Each Welcome Center can order National and Michigan Amtrak schedules and Indian Trails schedules if they have the correct fulfillment codes.

6. Committee Reports

a) Outreach Committee: In the absence of Michael Frezell, Chairman Whims reviewed the Outreach schedule for the coming months. The National Model Railroad Show will be in Detroit July 27-29 with setup on the evening of Thursday, July 28. We have about 100 boxes of material to move into Cobo Center that evening. Several people will be helping but more help is needed. Bob Tischbein indicated he could help out. We have enough people staffing the NARP/MARP table on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The following weekend, August 4-5 is the Crossroads Village/Huckleberry Railroad show. Gurney & Whims are staffing the MARP table on Saturday, with Fujita & Pekarek working on Sunday.

b) Ride the Train Committee: Robert Patterson reported that Amtrak has indicated in their response to his request that they don’ have any extra equipment for a fleet display at this time. Patterson remains hopeful for the future. Mark Buckley reported that Amtrak still has equipment that needs to be repaired, including equipment from the Sunset Limited wreck back in 1993. They are working to get all equipment on line.

c) Route Enhancement Committee: Several goals have been met or are in the process of being met. We already have links on the MARP website to Amtrak, VIA, Indian Trails and Greyhound schedules as well as the Lansing-Detroit Metro service which is operated by Indian Trails We are currently working on adding links to the South Shore line and the Algoma Central Railway. The committee will meet after lunch to draft a Vision statement.

d) Beautification Committee: In John Delora’s absence, there was not report.

7) Old Business

a) Newsletter: Whims reported that the Summer, 2007, Michigan Passenger would be printed within the next week and would be available for the National Model Railroad show in Detroit.

b) NorfolkSouthern Michigan Line: Mike Whims indicated he had sent a letter to the President of NorfolkSouthern urging the company to protect its Michigan assets and expressing concern about passenger safety and service if the rail lines are sold. He did receive a response stating that NS recognized and respected its obligations to Amtrak. Within the past week, a new press release was issued announcing a proposed joint venture between NS and Watco Companies of Kansas to be known as Michigan Central Railway that would take over operation of the NS lines running between Ypsilanti and Kalamazoo, Jackson-Lansing and Grand Rapids-Kalamazoo. Amtrak was mentioned in the press release. Unspecified track improvements were promised. The new line will also take over NS trackage rights over Amtrak’s Kalamazoo-Porter line.

In reponse to a John Langdon’s question about sending a letter to the interim president of Michigan Central, Whims said he thought we should wait on that until we see what gets filed at the Surface Transportation Board. Whims thought it may be good to invite this person to the Annual Meeting.

8) New Business

a) Annual Meeting: The Annual Meeting is scheduled for Saturday, September 8, at the Durand Union Station. Michigan House Transportation Chairman Hoon-Yung Hopgood has been invited to speak. Buckley suggested we also invite the head if the new Michigan Central Railway.

b) Member Meetings – Remainder of 2007: We will meet either October 13 or October 20 in Howell if Gurney can book a meeting room at the Howell Carnegie Public Library and in Kalamazoo on November 17. Failing that, we could swap locations. There will be no meeting in December. The January meeting will be on January 12 at the Lansing Public Library.

c) Detroit Terminal Railroad Trail: After discussing the proposal for a Rails to Trails trail along the abandoned Detroit Terminal Railroad through Highland Park, Langdon moved that MARP support this proposal with the caveat that if ever needed, the right of way would be available again for rail service in accordance with the Rails to Trails program. The motion was seconded by Buckley and passed.

d) MARP Membership in NARP: Up until this point, John Delora has paid the NARP membership dues on behalf of MARP. John Langdon moved that MARP pay for a membership in NARP. The motion was seconded by Fujita and passed.

e) Station Photo File: In John Delora’s absence, no report was made.

f) MARP Vision Statement: Chairman Whims asked the Route Enhancement Committee to do a Vision Statement for MARP. NARP has recently done a Vision Statement and wants us to do something similar. The statement needs to be short and precise and focused on passenger train service. The Vision Statement should be something MARP can share with people who don’t have a lot of time to go into details, but need the big picture, such as legislators or members of chambers of commerce. The Route Enhancement Committee will meet after lunch today to take up the Vision Statement.

9) Other Business: Whims handed out information on Amtrak funding to date. Langdon urged that we press for more equipment to be provided by Amtrak in the 2008 Fiscal Year state contract. Whims agreed, stating that each train should have a full business car where seats would be sold at a premium. Business cars could be quiet cars as well in Buckley’s opinion.

Charnetski expressed concern with the connections between the Lansing-Ann Arbor-Dearborn-Detroit-Toledo Thruway bus and eastbound trains out of Toledo and connections out of Washington to other routes. Buckley recommended two Thruway busses, one Lansing-Ann Arbor-Toledo and the second Saginaw-Flint-Detroit-Toledo.

Vavra-Musser alerted the group of a Berrien County-Chicago high speed rail meeting on August 20 at the Twin Cities Airport in Benton Harbor.

In reponse to a question from Robert Patterson, it was agreed that MARP would encourage members to take the Owosso-Cadillac Fall Color Train on October 27. Members would be asked to book directly with Lake Central.

10) Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 11:45 a.m.

Respecfully submitted:

Hugh D. Gurney for Secretary Jim Wallington

Approved:

____________________________

Michael Whims, Chair

Meetings

Member Meeting July 14, 2007

July 14, 2007 admin

MARP Members:
Please join us on Saturday, July 14, 2007 for the Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers Member Meeting in Lapeer, Michigan. We are meeting at the recently renovated Lapeer Station, which is located at 73 Howard Street. From the I-69 Lapeer exit #155, go north 1.8 miles on M-24 (Lapeer Road or Main Street) past the RR tracks to Genesee St. Turn east ½ mile to Court Street, then south to Howard St. The meeting will begin at 10 am.

As always, we will be discussing and reporting on issues important to Michigan passenger rail. Attendance at the meeting is free. Dress code is casual. The agenda is posted and minutes of previous meetings are available on the meetings page.

Following the business meeting, the Route Enhancement Committee will be conducting a work session on MARP’s passenger rail Vision of what intercity passenger rail and bus service should look like in 2025. MARP’s Vision will become our master plan for future action. If you are interested in taking part in the development of the Vision, please stay for the work session.

MARP Activity and Events
Those who attended the June meeting in Durand were treated to a very informative presentation by Mike Bagwell, president of Great Lakes Central Railroad. After the meeting, we toured former Metra commuter rail equipment that GLC is planning to use on the proposed Ann Arbor-Howell commuter rail service. Other recent and planned activities include:
• MARP recently spoke before the Bipartisan Legislative Transit Caucus in Lansing about the economic benefits of passenger rail for Michigan, and has been asked to appear before the House Transit Subcommittee in the near future.
• Following a recent Michigan House joint committee hearing, MARP had a chance to meet and talk about the needs for better passenger rail service in Michigan with Amtrak President Alex Kummant.
• MARP members participated in “Michigan Day” at Chicago Union Station, hosted by a number of State tourist agencies, to promote Michigan passenger rail and tourism to thousands of Chicagoland commuters.
• MARP will staff a joint table with NARP at the huge National Model Railroad Association national convention in Detroit July 27-29. If you would like to help out, contact me soon.

Don’t forget that MARP’s Annual Meeting at Durand Union Station is coming up on September 8, 2007. Mark your calendar now. You will be receiving registration information soon.

If you haven’t renewed your MARP membership for 2007, please do so as soon as possible. If you did not receive a renewal card in the mail, email marprail@yahoo.com. Our primary expense is the Michigan Passenger newspaper, which we would like to continue publishing regularly.

I hope to see you in Lapeer on July 14.

Michael Whims
Chairman

L’avenir du jeu est arrivé avec les casinos en ligne. Des machines immersives aux tables live, profitez d’options sûres et de divertissement illimité.