Summer 2009 stories include:

• Cutting Amtrak? – State legislators propose cutting subsidies for Amtrak’s Blue Water and Pere Marquette
• Stimulus Money at Work – Jackson receives $938K to restore historic Amtrak station.
• Back to the Future – Elevated high speed rail system could come to Michigan.
• Engineer Blamed – Amtrak engineer blamed for 2007 crash involving Grand Rapids-to-Chicago Pere Marquette.
• Schedule Changes for Amtrak’s Blue Water, Wolverine and Thruway Motorcoach Services.
• Ridership going down? – Economy affects Amtrak ridership in Michigan.
• Skiers take Amtrak.
• Michigan Celebrates National Train Day – Thousands turn out to celebrate the past and future of railroading.
• Amtrak President visits Michigan.
• Safe for Now – Detroit votes to demolish Michigan Central Terminal.
• Christmas in September – Disney tour train to roll into Michigan this fall.
• Transportation for America – MARP joins coalition promoting smart transportation solutions
• Notes from Membership Meetings
• Chairman’s Corner – There’s Still a 1st Amendment
• MARP Members at Work

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.

Spring 2009 stories include:

• Is the economy affecting passenger rail? – Funding for Blue Water and Pere Marquette runs into trouble while Amtrak ridership continues to rise.
• Stimulus Bill Passes – $9.3 billion to go toward intercity passenger rail.
• Apologizing and Testifying – Amtrak apologizes for December incident; MARP testifies for second Pere Marquette train.
• Causing Delays – City officials want Amtrak trains to stop traffic backups through downtown Jackson.
• Changes to Amtrak’s Board – Carper becomes Chairman; Stadtler appointed CFO.
• OneRail – Coalition forms to promote rail investment.
• Counting Down – Time nears for construction of Troy’s proposed transit center.
Amtrak vs. Winter: Round 2 – Equipment failures play role in delaying Amtrak trains this winter.
• Tracking Lincoln’s Route – Obama and Biden host Whistle Stop Tour to Washington for Inauguration.
• Norma’s Folly – Norma Ward honored for saving Durand Union Station.
• Regional Chair Found – Fischer named new East/Central Regional Chair.
• MARP Members at Work
• Notes from Membership Meetings
• Chairman’s Corner – The Stimulus: Pork or Progress?
• Midwest Cascade

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.

Winter 2009 stories include:

• Dashing through the Snow – First day of winter brings delays to Amtrak service across Michigan.
• Kummant Resigns – Joe Boardman’s appointment as Amtrak’s new President and CEO brings concerns.
• Plans include New Stations – Stations revealed for proposed commuter rail line between Ann Arbor and Detroit.
• Linking downtown with Amtrak – Ann Arbor Transportation Authority operates new bus route linking to Amtrak station.
• Transportation Secretary announced – LaHood’s nomination as new Secretary of Transportation brings concerns.
• Making Amtrak Enforceable – New federal law mandates priority to Amtrak over freight trains.
• Urging Congress – Coalition lists transit projects that could create thousands of jobs.
• Moving Michigan – New coalition to back transit efforts in Michigan.
• Secret’s Out – Amtrak connects Michigan residents with the East.
• Riding the Rails – People choose Amtrak over their cars in 2008.
• Reviving Passenger Rail – Economic climate makes passenger trains more viable.
• Welcome Everyone – New sign greets visitors to Durand Union Station.
• Here Comes Santa
• SEEKING REGIONAL CHAIR for EAST/CENTRAL REGION
• MARP Members at Work
• Notes from Membership Meetings
• Chairman’s Corner – “Same Old Lions”
• End of the Line – Star Clipper dinner train departs Michigan for the East Coast.

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.

Autumn 2008 stories include:

• Feeling the Love – Congress supports Amtrak after years of criticism.
• Setting Another Record – Gas prices drive riders to Amtrak
• Breaking Ground – Blue Water and Wolverine trains to serve New Buffalo
• Seeking Amtrak Stop – Fennville working to get Amtrak’s Pere Marquette to stop in town
• Designating Authority – Ann Arbor Transit Authority becomes authority for WALLY
• Coming Down – Pontiac demolishes Transpo Center
• Getting Tougher – New rules set for Kalamazoo’s Transportation Center
• Service Disrupted – Track work and hurricanes delay Michigan Amtrak trains
• 35th Annual Membership Meeting
• Chairman’s Corner– Congress and Michigan Wake-Up
• Dueling Light-Rail Systems Differ – Legislation begins for one proposed light-rail system as another brings safety concerns

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.

Summer 2008 stories include:

• Rediscovering the railroad – As oil prices rise, American turn to intercity rail
• H.R. 6003 Passes – Amtral bill passes, guranteeing the funnding through 2013
• Michigan’s Day – Tourism officials promote direc travel to Michigan via Amtrak
• Calls for increased funding – With more funding, broken down railcars could be returned to service
• Phased Out – Amtrak relocates locomotive overhaul operations away from Beech Grove
• Feasible at a High Price – Studdy for proposed WALLY commuter service released
• Flood of ’08 – Nation’s worst flood disrupts Amtrak service in the Midwest
• Agreement reached – Plans to build new Amtrak station rolls on
• National Trail Day – Railroads and organizations join Amtrak in first-ever National Train Day
• Making History – Riders give proposed Wally Commuter train a try
• Sign Language – New Amtrak signs go up in Durand
• Chairman’s Corner – It’s been a busy spring
• Michigan Central Depot Demolished? – Owner of historic building being forced to demolish station
• Transit Center Planned – Pontiac to replace Transpo Center with a new state-of-the-art facility
• Working to expand service
• Stepping up – Members take on a new role in wake of resignations
• Riding the trail – MARP visits Indian Trails

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.