Amtrak’s Pere Marquette train arrives in Fennville, Mich. to unload passengers riding from Holland, Mich. as part of the Goose Festival’s “train ride” event Oct. 9, 2005. About 90 passengers rode the train from Bangor, Mich. to Fennville on Friday, Oct. 7, 2005 and another set of nearly 90 passengers rode the train from Holland to Fennville on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2005. Tickets were $7, including shuttle bus back to starting station. What a deal! Both train rides sold out. This is the only time that Amtrak’s Pere Marquette stops in Fennville all year. Fennville was a regular stop for Chesapeake & Ohio’s Pere Marquette passenger trains back in the day. (Photo by J.R. Valderas)
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Amtrak trains are still running in Michigan despite budget cuts
Governor Granholm signed into law the FY 2006 budget act (P.A. 158) which authorizes $6.1 million for operation of the Blue Water and Pere Marquette trains for the budget year. The act requires that both trains run on a 7-day per week schedule and serve all cities along their routes. The act also provides for penalties if Amtrak chooses to eliminate any of the service prior to the end of the budget year (September 30, 2006).
The act also requires MDOT to work toward finding ways to reduce expenses of operating the trains. This could mean a number of things, such as station staffing, food service, and other operational costs.
There is a provision for increasing the funding level to $7.1 million if Amtrak signs an agreement to move its Beech Grove, Indiana equipment repair and maintenance operation to Battle Creek. Amtrak has already indicated that this is unlikely to occur.
The act is silent regarding fares. Amtrak could conceivably raise its fares to make up for the shortfall in state support. Amtrak has already announced a nationwide fare increase to offset rising fuel expenses.
MARP believes these Amtrak routes are a valuable form of transportation for many Michigan communities. In addition, Amtrak provides jobs to Michigan citizens and purchases goods and services from several Michigan businesses. “The increasing ridership proves that Michigan citizens want the service. High fuel prices and airline bankruptcies make train service even more critical for the future,” said Whims.
MARP wishes to thank its members who communicated their support of Michigan passenger rail service to community leaders and state officials. MARP will continue to work with MDOT and state officials toward reinstating the $7.1 million funding level during the budget year. It is important to let people know that both trains are still running.
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Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers Elects Executive Committee
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 21, 2005
CONTACT: Mike Whims, Chairman or John DeLora, Executive Director PHONE: (248) 892-4545 or (313) 575-6608
The membership of the Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers elected its Executive Committee for the 2005-2007 term at its September 17, 2005 annual meeting in Detroit. The re-elected officers include Michael Whims (Royal Oak), chairman; Michael Frezell (Lansing), vice chairman; James Wallington (Perry), secretary; John DeLora (Detroit), Executive Director/metro Detroit chapter chair; Richard Pekarek (Grand Blanc), east/central Michigan chapter chair, John Langdon (Holland), western Michigan chapter chair, and Clark Charnetski (Ann Arbor), at-large executive.
Newly elected Executive Committee members include Andrew Kent (Au Gres), Northern Michigan chapter chair; Kay Chase (Kalamazoo), at-large executive; Kazuya Fujita (East Lansing), at-large executive, and J.R. Valderas (Holland), at-large executive. The committee appointed David Randall (Livonia) as treasurer to replace the late Terry Donnelly (Marquette).
The Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers is an all volunteer, non-profit corporation established in 1973 to improve passenger train service, travel conditions for passengers, and to work for the preservation of historic rail stations.
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TWO MICHIGAN AMTRAK ROUTES COULD STOP IN OCTOBER
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 19, 2005
CONTACT: Mike Whims, Chairman or John DeLora, Executive Director PHONE: (248) 892-4545 or (313) 575-6608
Many Michigan Amtrak passengers may be left at the station after state Legislators recommended cutting $1 million from Michigan’s fiscal year 2006 passenger rail budget on Thursday. The budget will go to Governor Granholm. If approved, this cut will end the Port Huron – East Lansing – Chicago Blue Water and the Grand Rapids – Holland – Chicago Pere Marquette trains.
The Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers (MARP) opposes any cuts to Amtrak, especially at a time when both the Blue Water and Pere Marquette are experiencing ridership increases. During the first half of the current fiscal year, the Blue Water has experienced a 21% ridership increase and the Pere Marquette has seen an 11% increase compared to the same period a year ago.
Amtrak currently receives $7.1 million from the state; however, Senate Bill 281 would cut next year’s budget down to $6.1 million. Cutting $1million from Amtrak’s budget forces both the Blue Water and Pere Marquette to be eliminated under the current contract with the state. The bill contains an amendment by Rich Brown (D-Bessemer) that would restore funding if Amtrak would move a major maintenance facility from Beech Grove, Indiana (near Indianapolis) to Michigan.
“This is political blackmail,” said Mike Whims, MARP Chairman. “Amtrak is not going to move a multi-million dollar facility based solely on getting back the $1 million it already needs for Michigan train operations.”
MARP believes these Amtrak routes are a valuable form of transportation for many Michigan communities. In addition, Amtrak provides jobs to Michigan citizens and purchases goods and services from several Michigan businesses. “The increasing ridership proves that Michigan citizens want the service. High fuel prices and airline bankruptcies make train service even more critical for the future,” said Whims.
Citizens are urged to contact Governor Granholm, state representatives, and state senators to voice support for Amtrak.
The Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers is an all volunteer, non-profit corporation established in 1973 to improve passenger train service, travel conditions for passengers, and to work for the preservation of historic rail stations.
For further information please contact Mike Whims (248) 892-4545 or John DeLora at (313) 575-6608 or visit MARP’s website at http://www.marp.org.
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Fall 2005 MARP member newsletter
Fall 2005 stories include:
- AMTRAK SAVED BUT FOR HOW LONG?
- 2006 Transportation Budget May End Amtrak Service in Michigan
- Legislators fund Amtrak but ties strings to food and sleeper service
- Joe Schwarz Ready to Fight – U.S. Congressman calls a special meeting to support Amtrak
- Blue Water Service Sabotaged – Four vandals face charges in halt of local Amtrak train
- Treasurer Dies – MARP Treasurer and Upper Peninsula Regional Chairman passes
- Celebrating A Century of Service – Durand Union Station turns 100 years old
- All Aboard For a New Experience – Amtrak launches its new Empire Builder
- New Members Welcomed
- Beech Grove Not Moving To Michigan – After shocking announcement, Amtrak has no plans to relocate
- Chairman’s Corner: Spotlight on MARP’s Coalition Associates
- Editorial: The Tipping Point
- Platform Raised – Bangor station gets a new boost
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.