Category Archives: Announcements

Announcements, Meetings, Uncategorized

January 15: On-line Meeting

Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers Member On-line Meeting
Thursday, January 15, 6:00 PM Eastern Time

HAPPY NEW YEAR MARP MEMBERS! As we look forward to the opportunities ahead of us in 2026, we hope you will click in to a ZOOM call on Thursday, 15 January at 6:00 PM Eastern Time.

Executive Committee member Eric Schertzing will be on board to get us thinking about the role of MARP and its individual members in promoting and improving Amtrak service in our state. Eric will kick off the discussion with some information on ridership numbers and on-time performance on Michigan’s three routes over the last few years.

Eric and the Executive Committee want to hear your ideas. The bulk of the meeting time will be devoted to facilitated discussion, focusing on issues around:

  • Promoting a cross-state bus service as a step toward implementation of the proposed Coast-to-Coast train service linking Detroit-Lansing-Grand Rapids;
  • Securing needed new equipment;
  • Growing MARP membership (ideas about outreach, use of social media);
  • How MARP can work effectively with MDOT, Amtrak, and other advocacy organizations;

To help the meeting move smoothly, you are invited to submit comments and questions in advance to MARP@MARP.org. During the meeting, you may use the Chatbox to comment or ask your question.

Attend the Meeting via Zoom :

Zoom Passcode: 706115

 

Announcements, Meetings

Dec 11: MARP Virtual Event – MDOT Updates

Event via ZOOM
Thursday, 11 December 2025 at 6:00 PM

You are invited to “zoom in” on Thursday, 11 December 2025 at 6:00 PM to hear Alexzandria Elsea, MDOT Office of Rail, with an update on the status of the three Michigan improvement/expansion projects accepted into the Corridor ID Program established under the Bi-Partisan Infrastructure Law passed by Congress in 2021. The State of Michigan received 3 grants of $500,000 each to begin work
toward adding a new round trip on each of the existing services, the Wolverine, Blue Water, and Pere Marquette routes. In conjunction with this work, the Office of Rail is looking at possible restoration of
service to Windsor, Canada, as well as a proposed new Coast-to-Coast service that would connect Michigan’s three largest cities. There will be an opportunity for Q&A, but we ask that you submit, in advance, any questions you have to: MARP@MARP.org
We will also hear from MARP Chair Tom Fletcher and members of the Executive Committee on plans for the upcoming year, along with a general update on passenger rail in our state/region.

Join Zoom Meeting Here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82964669357?pwd=YbraIGFbn5TlDyUE21fTXrT2R5w88a.1

Meeting ID: 829 6466 9357
Passcode: 097083
Or Join By Phone: Dial 312 626 6799

REMEMBER: Send any questions you have to MARP@MARP.org

Announcements, Meetings

Register now for MARP Annual Meeting on Oct. 18

Meeting scheduled for Oct. 18, 2025

Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers
52nd ANNUAL MEETING
Durand Union Station
200 Railroad Street, Durand MI 48429
18 October 2025     12:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Featured Speaker
Kevin McKinney
Founder and Publisher of Passenger Train Journal

Make plans now to attend! Our featured speaker will be Kevin McKinney, perhaps best known as the founder and publisher of Passenger Train Journal. MARP activities of the past year will be reviewed and plans for the coming year discussed.

The cost to attend is $30 per person and includes a catered luncheon. The online registration deadline is Friday, October 10. If mailing, please drop in the mail by Wednesday, October 8.

IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND, PLEASE REGISTER TODAY!

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

ACT NOW! The deadline for online registration is Friday, Oct 10.
Mail-In forms must be postmarked by Wednesday, Oct 08.


cards

Powered by paypal

Prefer to send your registration by U.S. mail? Click on the form below, print it, fill it out and mail along with your check
by Friday, Oct 08 to:

MARP, Inc. | c/o Jean Merckel | 33373 Hampshire Road | Livonia, MI 48154

(Click on this form to enlarge and print)

Questions? Email contact@marp.org

Announcements, Meetings

June 7th Up-North MARP Meeting

Guest Speaker Carolyn Ulstad, Transportation Program Manager at Groundwork Center, will provide an overview of the North + South Passenger Rail project that looks to connect Northern Lower Michigan to the Detroit metro area, beginning with a brief look at its history, a look at what’s included in this year’s phase II study along with updates, and where the project is headed in the future.

RSVP to contact@marp.org is appreciated for event planning.

Meeting Details

Location: Northwestern Michigan College (NMC)
Scholars Hall Room 101 (1450 College Drive, Traverse City, MI 49686)
Date: Saturday, June 7th
Time: 11:00 am – 1:00 pm