Passengers gather on the platform as Amtrak train 365, the Blue Water, arrives at the station in East Lansing on Aug. 31, 2006. The train connects the Michigan communities of Port Huron, Lapeer, Flint, Durand, East Lansing, Battle Creek, Kalamazoo, Dowagiac and Niles with the Windy City of Chicago, Illinois. The passenger rail service has been around for over three decades. (Photo by Gregg Pullano)
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MDOT’s Long Range Transportation Plan
MARP is an invited participant in the development of the Michigan Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) Long Range Transportation Plan through the year 2030. Chairman Mike Whims represents MARP at the stakeholder meetings. Clark Charnetski also attended an open house held recently in Ann Arbor.
A draft “Preferred Public Vision” has been published by MDOT that considers intercity passenger rail to be “important” and focuses on high-speed (200mph+) rail for the future. Chairman Whims testified at the meetings that the future plan needs to:
- Focus more on “standard speed” intercity passenger rail that can at a minimum consistantly meet the current 79 mph speed limit without freight interference.
- Consider “high-speed” rail as a goal to carefully work toward for certain high-volume corridors after solving the freight interference problems. A fear Whims expressed is that the price tag for 200+ mph rail service will frighten everyone away from ANY passenger rail.
- Focus on increasing the share of freight movement by rail as a top public priority that will require public investment of some sort in the state’s privately-owned rail infrastructure.
- Analyze the state’s 50,000-mile state highway system to see how many miles can be abandoned or transferred to local road authorities based on low relative usage. (this was very unpopular among the meeting stakeholders).
You are encouraged to voice your opinions at the state website that has been set up for this long range plan: www.michigan.gov/slrp
You are also encouraged to attend and represent MARP at the following upcoming public open house meetings (details at their website)
August 7-Novi
August 7-Kalamazoo
August 8- Warren
August 8- Grand Rapids
August 9- Lansing
August 9- Ann Arbor
August 14- Mount Pleasant
August 15- Tawas City
August 15- Kingsford
August 16- Traverse City
August 16- Ironwood
August 17- St. Ignace
High speed train
Since 1995, Amtrak and the state of Michigan have spent millions of dollars building an advance signaling system on Amtrak’s corridor line in southwestern Michigan for a possible train speed of 110 mph. In the fall of 2005, train speeds along the line were raised from 79 mph to 95 mph. Planners at the Michigan Department of Transportation are discussing plans this summer of a passenger rail network capable of speeds in excess of 200 mph. The Amtrak passenger train pictured above is destined for Chicago cruises through the city of Niles on June 24, 2006 along the designated high speed corridor. (Photo by J.R. Valderas)
Summer 2006 MARP member newsletter
Summer 2006 stories include:
- Funding Restored – Michigan legislators restore $1 million shortfall in funding to continue Amtrak operations through September 2006
- Passenger Equipment Leaser purchases Michigan shortline railroad – Federated Railways buys Tuscola & Saginaw Bay Railway
- Commuters Get a Taste of Michigan – Tourism and transportation officials promote direct travel to Michigan destinations via Amtrak
- New Year, More Money – Amtrak presents 2007 Fiscal budget to Senate Appropriations Subcommittees
- Jackson Studies Depot Development Options – Former Michigan Central station to become an intermodal rail-bus station
- Passenger Survey Project
- Colorado or Bust – Travelers take Amtrak for their spring break vacation destinations
- MARP Members at Work
- Return of the 118 – Restored office car makes round trips on Amtrak’s Pere Marquette
- New MDOT Director – Kirk Steudle appointed Director of the Michigan Department of Transportation
- Chairman’s Corner: The Survey Says: Rail Travel Boosts Economy
- Grand Reopening Halted – Renovation work on former Michigan Central station delayed
- Truck Hits Michigan Amtrak Train – Train catches fire, leaving one dead and several injured
Published quarterly, The Michigan Passenger serves as the official publication of the Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers. Copies of the publication can be found at every Amtrak station in the state of Michigan as well as locations having interest in passenger rail such as local libraries, hobby stores and city halls. To receive this publication at your home or business, you must become a member of MARP. Join by filling out the application in the About MARP section of this website.
Almost tulip time!
Amtrak train 371, the Pere Marquette, arrives to pick-up passengers bound for Chicago and beyond at the Padnos Transportation Center in the Tulip City of Holland, Michigan on April 26, 2006. Holland’s 77th annual Tulip Time Festival is held May 6-13, 2006. (Photo by J.R. Valderas)