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Announcements, Meetings

Reminder: MARP member meeting July 30, 2011

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ANNOUNCING

MARP Member Meeting

Saturday, July 30, 2011, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

(Executive Committee will meet at 10 a.m.)

Amtrak Dowagiac Station

200 Depot Drive, Dowagiac MI 49047

MAP

Continuing our survey of historic railroad stations, MARP will convene this month in the depot built in 1903 to serve passengers of the Michigan Central Railroad. It now welcomes travelers who arrive on Amtrak trains from Chicago and Michigan communities along both the Blue Water and Wolverine routes.

On this particular Saturday, the village of Dowagiac will be rolling out the red carpet to celebrate Summer Fun Days. We hope you are planning to bring family and friends to enjoy the many activities that will be going on in the vicinity of the train station while we meet.

A walking tour of downtown includes the many public sculptures for which Dowagiac is known. Particularly notable are the 3 leaping, twisting cougars that gambol alongside the railroad tracks east of the station. In the afternoon, we plan a visit to The Museum at Southwestern Michigan College. The museum houses a train layout winding its way through a mock-up of historic Dowagiac as well as fascinating displays of the industry that put Dowagiac on the map: Round Oak Stoves. When we return to downtown, you’ll want to be sure to visit Caruso’s Candy Kitchen for an old-fashioned soda or an ice-cream cone. And don’t forget to get some hand-dipped chocolates for the road. You’ll be glad you came!

Remember that all are welcome and encouraged to attend the Executive Committee meeting that begins promptlyat 10:00 am. The general membership meeting will convene at 11:00 am with a short presentation on the history of railroading in the village of Dowagiac. MARP will present a certificate of appreciation to the Town and Country Garden Club, whose members maintain the flowers around the depot. We will get an update of the status of funding for Michigan rail projects. Our usual “no-host” lunch will follow at the nearby Round Oak Restaurant, 137 S. Front Street.

Service alert! While the Blue Water is scheduled to arrive in time for the 11 a.m. general meeting, on time performance recently has been problematic. You may wish to forego the train this time.

Please REPLY to this message if you would like to carpool to the meeting with others from your area.

Looking forward to seeing you on Saturday!

 

Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers

 

Dowagiac Virtual Tour

Dowagiac Depot

The Museum at Southwestern Michigan College

Announcements, News, Press Releases

Michigan Flyer Proposes New I-96 Route, Twice as Many Trips to Detroit Airport

From an Indian Trails press release

Michigan Flyer — the airport shuttle service of Indian Trails, Inc., and Okemos Travel — plans to add a new I-96 route this fall,  doubling the number of trips it makes each day between East Lansing and Detroit Metropolitan Airport.

Currently, Michigan Flyer offers luxury motor coach service along the I-94 corridor between East Lansing, Jackson, Ann Arbor and Detroit Metro.

To establish the new route on the I-96 corridor between East Lansing, Howell, Brighton, and the Detroit airport, Michigan Flyer is seeking a one-time grant of $1.5 million from the federal Transportation, Community, and System Preservation Program (TCSP) to help fund start-up operations. The new route is expected to become self-sustaining in its second year of operation.

“The new route will make airport shuttle service available to communities along I-96 for the first time,” said Indian Trails President Gordon Mackay. “It also represents a major improvement in convenience for other travelers in mid-Michigan, because it will double the frequency of trips — from 7 to 14 per day — between East Lansing, Ann Arbor and Detroit Metro. That will enable us to offer hourly departures, which many passengers have told us they want.”

To begin the new route, Michigan Flyer would contribute $390,000 in matching funds/in-kind value toward operations and invest $1.5 million of its own funds to purchase three new luxury motor coaches.

Public-Private Partnership

The TCSP Program funds public-private partnerships to improve the efficiency of the transportation system, reduce environmental impacts of transportation, reduce the need for costly future public infrastructure investments, and ensure efficient access to jobs, services and centers of trade.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation and studies by many other authorities, public-private partnerships in transportation often result in significant cost savings, shorter project development times, less public sector financial, operational, and maintenance risk, and greater innovation.

Indian Trails and Michigan Flyer are privately owned providers of public transportation services. A significant percentage of Indian Trails inter-city routes statewide are subsidized by the State of Michigan.

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is sponsoring Michigan Flyer’s application for the TCSP grant. Michigan Flyer plans to begin the new service as early as Nov. 15, 2011, to serve the public during the peak holiday travel season.

The new I-96 project cannot proceed without the TCSP funding.

Green Transportation Alternative

“MDOT realizes that travelers need alternatives to filling their cars with $3.50-per-gallon gasoline, fighting highway congestion, and paying $10-$18 per day for airport parking,” said Indian Trails Vice President Chad Cushman. “MDOT is also interested in reducing air pollution, conserving energy, and improving highway safety.  Michigan Flyer is by far the greenest, most fuel-efficient and safest way to get to the Detroit airport. Plus, with our free WiFi and electrical outlets, passengers stay connected and productive while riding in comfort.”

“Also, Michigan Flyer runs both ways,” Cushman noted. “So the new I-96 route would, for the first time, enable daily commuters from Southeast Michigan, Brighton, and Howell to reach Lansing-area businesses, education and health institutions, and recreation and entertainment venues.”

Support for Michigan Flyer Application

In addition to MDOT, Michigan Flyer’s grant application is supported by Sen. Debbie Stabenow, Rep. Mike Rogers, officials at Michigan State University and University of Michigan, the Michigan Environmental Council, Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers, and communities along the I-96 corridor.

“I am impressed by the efforts of Michigan Flyer to improve regional mass transit and enhance the quality of life,” Sen. Debbie Stabenow wrote to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood in June. “I hope you will give their proposal your strong consideration.”

On July 5, the Capital Area Regional Transportation Study (CARTS) committee of the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission voted overwhelmingly to recommend planning commission support for Michigan Flyer’s proposal by adding it to the “illustrative list” of transportation improvement projects for TCSP consideration. The planning commission is expected to act on the proposal at its July 27 meeting.

Indian Trails, Inc. — which has served as Michigan’s premiere, family-owned, inter-city motor coach carrier for more than 100 years, and is based  in Owosso—operates one of the largest and newest fleets of deluxe motor coaches in Michigan. Its services include charters, tours, shuttles, airport transfers, casino runs and daily scheduled routes throughout Michigan and into Chicago and Milwaukee.  On the web at http://www.indiantrails.com/.

The Michigan Flyer — whose motto is “Why Drive?” — offers affordable, seamless, luxury motor coach connections between Lansing, Jackson, Ann Arbor, and Detroit Metro Airport. Jointly owned by Indian Trails and Okemos Travel, Michigan Flyer has carried nearly 400,000 passengers since its launch in November 2006 — and has achieved an extraordinary 99 percent rate of on-time arrivals and departures.  On the web at http://www.michiganflyer.com/.

Announcements

TRU Meeting on Woodward Light Rail – Monday, July 11, 2011

Come Monday evening to TRU’s summer meeting to learn all about the Woodward Light Rail plan!

Last week the Woodward Light Rail team and Federal Transit Administration made a big announcement:

  • They completed and signed the final Impact Statement and
  • They selected a locally-preferred alternative including the alignment, route, and stations.

Come to Woodward Light Rail route mapTRU’s Summer Meeting to learn all about the Woodward Light Rail plan, including next steps, challenges, and how you can help make sure it happens:

  • Monday, July 11, 6:00-8:00pm
  • Ann Arbor room of the U of M Detroit Center (3660 Woodward Ave, just north of Mack)

Officials from the Woodward Light Rail project team will be there to present their decision-making process and plan and to answer your questions.

Plus, get updates on other TRU projects, events, plans, and activities.  You won’t want to miss it!

Find us on Facebook  And please help spread the word and bring friends!

Announcements, FYI, News

Illinois announces partnership to study 220-mph rail service

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn today announced a partnership between the University of Illinois, the Illinois Department of Transportation and a special advisory group to study the feasibility of 220-mph passenger rail service between Chicago, Champaign-Urbana and beyond. The study will complement the ongoing construction of a regional 110-mph network that will connect Chicago to 40 cities in the Midwest, while supporting Governor Quinn‘s vision to create jobs, enhance regional mobility and improve the environment by expanding passenger rail in Illinois.

“Illinois is leading the nation with our work to expand high-speed and passenger rail,” said Governor Quinn. “This study will provide greater insight into how we can make 220-mph rail service a reality. An expanded and improved rail network will boost our position in the global economy and create thousands of jobs.”

The study will explore the potential costs and benefits of establishing 220-mph service between O’Hare International Airport, downtown Chicago, McCormick Place, and Champaign-Urbana. It will also look at extending the corridor in the region to cities south of Champaign-Urbana, including St. Louis and Indianapolis.

Leading the study will be University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign professor Christopher P.L. Barkan, director of the school’s railroad engineering program and one of the nation’s top rail scholars. Contributing will be University of Illinois at Chicago Urban Transportation Center director Stephen Schlickman, former executive director of the Regional Transportation Authority. Their findings, made possible through a $1.25 million contribution from the Illinois Jobs Now! capital program, is expected to be complete and presented to Governor Quinn in late 2012.

“I’m delighted that the University of Illinois can lend its vast expertise to this crucial study, and I’m grateful to the governor and other leaders in the state for their support of this important work,” said University of Illinois President Michael Hogan. “High-speed rail is transformational in its effect on economic development, personal mobility and on our society, in general. It’s an idea that is well worth a hard look. The benefits to the University of Illinois alone cannot be overstated.”

In addition to offering corridor location recommendations, the study will offer estimated ridership projections, economic impacts, construction costs and financing options. Assisting in the effort will be an advisory group composed of transportation experts, rail advocates, labor leaders, and regional planners who will provide input during the course of the study.

The members of the special advisory group include:

  • State Senator Martin Sandoval (D-Chicago)
  • State Representative Elaine Nekritz (D-Northbrook)
  • Rick Harnish, Midwest High Speed Rail Association
  • Kevin Brubaker, Environmental Law & Policy Center
  • Joan Murphy, Cook County Commissioner (6th)
  • Bob Guy, United Transportation Union
  • J.D. Ross, Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors
  • MarySue Barrett, Metropolitan Planning Council
  • Jack Guthman, Shefsky & Froelich Ltd

Governor Quinn and IDOT broke ground last year on the state’s signature high-speed line between Chicago and St. Louis. Speeds of 110-mph along parts of the corridor will be reached as early as next year. A completed Midwest network will create over 57,000 jobs, including 24,000 in Illinois. In addition to Chicago-St. Louis, the Obama Administration has provided funding for the Chicago to Iowa City via the Quad Cities and Chicago to Detroit corridors. Last month, the U.S. Department of Transportation also awarded additional funding to expand the Midwest’s new equipment fleet with modern, domestically-built locomotives and railcars.

Announcements, News

Draft copy of the Michigan State Rail Plan has been released

Where is rail transportation headed in Michigan? What role does rail freight play in our state’s economy? When and how will high speed rail become a viable option for passenger travel in our Great Lakes State?

These and other questions will be addressed in the Michigan State Rail Plan. MDOT is developing the comprehensive plan to set forth state policy involving freight and passenger rail transportation, including commuter rail operations. It will present priorities and strategies to enhance or preserve rail service that benefits the public, and will serve as the basis for future federal and state rail investments in Michigan.

Your review of the draft document and comments is important. An executive summary also is available. Check this site often to monitor progress, view documents and help shape Michigan’s rail future!

Draft Document Available, Public Meetings Planned for June

MDOT will host a second round of public meetings June 7-16, 2011, to take comment on the Draft State Rail Plan. The meetings are scheduled for Detroit, Battle Creek, Flint, Escanaba, Traverse City and Grand Rapids. The public may stop by anytime between 4:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. to review the draft document with the planning team, ask questions and provide input before the plan is finalized. Presentations are planned for 4:30 and 6:30.  View the public meeting locations and schedule here. Comments are encouraged through July 1, 2011.

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