MINUTES
MICHIGAN ASSOCIATION OF RAILROAD PASSENGERS
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
RAPID CENTRAL STATION, GRAND RAPIDS
JULY 28, 2012

Members Present:     Robert Tischbein, Kay Chase, John Langdon, Jim Wallington, Hugh Gurney, Jim Hinkins, Dave Randall

Also Present: Rich Vavra-Musser, Larry Krieg, Mary Myers, Dan Myers, Chuck Merkel, Jean Merkel, Al Koole, Ronald J.Vonk, Shirley J. Vonk, Charles V. Shong, Dan Platz, Doug Wilson, Rosemary Horvath, Stan Roth, Michael Frezell

Call to Order:  Chairman Tischbein called the meeting to order at 10:03 a.m.

Minutes:  Secretary Gurney distributed minutes from the previous meeting in Muskegon on June 16, 2012.  Langdon moved acceptance of the Executive Committee minutes.  The motion was seconded by Randall and approved by the members present.

Langdon then moved acceptance of the Monthly Membership Meeting minutes.  Randall seconded the motion and it was approved by the members present.

Treasurer’s Report:  Randall distributed the Treasurer’s Report and reviewed salient portions.  As of June 30, 2012, the checking account stood at $10,728.28 and the Pratt Fund was valued at $16,359.82.  As of the end of June, MARP has taken in 62% of the income projected for the year and has expended 32% of the projected expenses.  Income does include $5,000 received from TRANS4M in January, 2012 for expenses incurred in 2011.

Randall distributed a draft Position Description for the Treasurer’s position for review by members of the Executive Committee.

Coordinator Reports:

            Governmental Affairs: Langdon distributed flyers announcing forums for review of the draft 2035 Michigan Department of Transportation Plan and urged members to attend and participate.  Chase suggested that members attend and send their comments to her so that she could submit a formal recommendation from MARP.  She also urged members to forward their comments directly to MDOT as individual citizens. 

Alpena, Tawas City, and Hancock have been added as Amtrak Thruway destinations, Langdon noted.  Effective on August 1, Charlevoix will gain Indian Trails service, but Kalkaska and Mancelona will loose service as a result of rerouting.  He urged that we push for designation of both Charlevoix and Beaver Island as Amtrak Thruway stops.

Gurney noted that he had recently taken the Amtrak Thruway bus operated by Trinity from Ann Arbor to Toledo.  The service was highly satisfactory.

Megabus is now operating three trips daily Detroit-East Lansing-Grand Rapids-Chicago. Amtrak could loose 270 passengers a day if all elected to take Megabus, though Krieg observed that the seats on Megabus were much narrower than seats on Amtrak.    In Grand Rapids, the bus stops at the Amtrak parking lot.  Megabus offers curb pick up only.

Amtrak goes to paperless ticketing system wide in late July.

Amtrak has announced a very ambitious plan for redevelopment of Union Station in Washington, D.C.

Langdon shared architectural renditions for a new transportation center in East Lansing.  The new station will be closer to the diamond and depicts a platform for future commuter service on the CSX line.  Capitol Area Transportation Authority recently received a $6.2 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration for construction of the new facility.

            Communications:  TRANS4M has held several Community Forums to learn what citizens want Michigan’s transportation system to look like. So far, attendance has consisted mainly of transit riders.  Chase urged MARP members to attend upcoming meetings for broader representation.  Dates and locations are listed at the www.trans4m.org website.  There will be a meeting in Ann Arbor this coming Thursday.

Vavra-Musser urged that the data gathered from the recent rail forums be incorporated in the 2035 State Transportation Plan.  The plan should deal with all transportation infrastructure including rail, transit and marine.

MARP’s Annual Meeting will take place at the Durand Union Station on Saturday, September 22.  FRA Director Joe Szabo, Tim Hoeffner of MDOT, and Ron DeCook have been invited.  Bob Johnston of Trains magazine is confirmed as the principal speaker.  Check the MARP website, www.marp.org for registration forms.

This year, the League of Conservation Voters has included the Supplemental Transportation Bill on its scorecard for state legislators.  The League now sees transportation as part of its mission. 

            Membership: No Report.

            Meetings:     The Executive Committee will next meet on August 25 at 11:00 a.m. at the Coral Gables Restaurant in East Lansing.  There will be no August Membership meeting.

Scheduled meetings for the remainder of 2012 are:

            September 22              Annual Meeting, Durand Union Station

            October 13                  St. Louis, former Pere Marquette Station

            November 10              Essex, Ontario, former Michigan Central Station

Wallington handed out a tentative schedule for 2013.  Suggested additions were Traverse City and Vicksburg.

Wallington will look into the former Grand Trunk station in Lansing, now being rehabilitated by Lansing Board of Light.  He will also keep tabs on the new station in East Lansing for a meeting there when completed.

Adjournment:  The meeting adjourned at 11:00 a.m.

Respectfully submitted:                                  Accepted:

Hugh D. Gurney                                             Robert Tischbein

Secretary                                                         Chair

MINUTES
MICHIGAN ASSOCIATION OF RAILROAD PASSENGERS
MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP MEETING
RAPID CENTRAL STATION, GRAND RAPIDS
JULY 28, 2012

Members Present:  Hugh Gurney, Rich Vavra-Musser, Bob Tischbein, Dave Randall, Jim Wallington, Kay Chase, Larry Krieg, Mary Myers, Dan Myers, Chuck Merkel, Al Koole, Ronald J. Vonk, Shirley J. Vonk, Charles V. Shong, Dan Platz, Doug Wilson, Stan Roth, Michael Frezell, John Langdon, Jim Hinkins, Rosemary Horvath

Also Present: Seth Horton, Jean Merkel

Call to Order:  Chairman Tischbein called the meeting to order at 11:05 a.m.

Past Grand Rapids Rail Stations: John Langdon handed out a packet with visuals of past Grand Rapids rail stations and timetables.  As late as 1956, Grand Rapids was served by the C&O/Pere Marquette, Grand Trunk Western and Michigan Central.  C&O provided service to Detroit and Chicago until 1971, when Amtrak was established.  Amtrak restored service to Grand   Rapids in 1984.

Passenger Rail Coming to Rapid Central Station:  Seth Horton, a member of the architectural firm Progressive AE, spoke of the success of the beautiful and functional Rapid Central Station which first opened in 1997.  Just south of downtown, the facility is the hub of the city’s transit system and also serves Indian Trails and Greyhound intercity buses.  Rapid Central Station has been the incubator for a vibrant downtown area with student apartments, restaurants, a micro-brewery and now the home of the Grand Rapids Ballet.  The terminal includes platforms for eighteen buses.  Rapid Central Station was the first LEED approved transit center in the nation.

From its inception, it was intended that Rapid Central Station would be a truly multi-modal transportation center including passenger rail.  Progressive AE is now designing the new Vernon J. Ehlers rail station just south of the Rapid Central Station.  With an initial FRA grant of $3,800,000 secured by then Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers, plus additional funding from FTA, MDOT, the RAPID, the Grand Rapids DDA and the City of Grand Rapids, construction of the new station should begin in the next 2-3 months, as soon as agreements with CSX are finalized.  Bergman Associates of Lansing will construct a new rail spur to the station from the existing CSX mail line about 500 yards to the south.  The new station will replace the current Amtrak station about six blocks to the west.

The 2800 square foot station will include a waiting room for passengers, a snack area and a separate space for the crew to rest.  A clock tower lit at night will be visible from both the Wealthy Street overpass and U. S. 131.  The platform will be 400 feet long with a canopy covering 312 feet of the distance.  It will provide for level boarding. The station will be served by one track initially, but space is available to construct a second track on the other side of the platform as passenger volumes increase.  Erhardt Construction will be in charge of station construction, which should take about a year.

In the discussion that followed, Langdon pointed out that the platform would be long enough to serve seven-car trains.  All trains serving the station will be push-pull, negating the necessity to turn trains around in Grand Rapids.  Trains destined in the future for Lansing or Kalamazoo would be able to use the station.  Facilities will be provided to service trains at the station.  Space is available for a ticket counter should the station be staffed.  Plans call for a future canopy between the new train station and the existing Rapid Central Station.

Regional Chapter Reports:

            Northern: No Report

Detroit Metro: Hinkins is trying to find as much as he can about the proposed Bus Rapid Transit routes proposed for Metropolitan Detroit.  As currently envisioned, one route will follow Gratiot out as far as M-59, then head west to Pontiac, and return to the center city on Woodward.  A second route will go out Michigan   Avenue to DetroitMetroAirport and may continue on to Ann Arbor.

Bus Rapid Transit does not seem to tie in with any commuter rail projects.  In fact, any commuter rail initiatives would need unanimous support from the proposed Regional Transportation Authority Board.

For this reason, Carmine Palombo of SEMCOG sees the Ann Arbor-Detroit commuter rail line as something independent of the proposed RTA.   Hinkins speculates that SEMCOG will be responsible for operating the service.  The  MI Train commuter cars are now ready and have been tested and approved for speeds up to 40 mph.  Additional tests and approval for speeds up to 79 mph have yet to be done.  It is hoped that the commuter cars will be available for special event use by the end of 2012, possibly to move people to the open air hockey game in Ann Arbor on January 1, 2013.  Scheduled service must await completion of work at the West Detroit Junction.

Krieg noted that the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority recently approved funding for locating and designing stations along the WALLY route.  AATA will be meeting with each community involved.  AATA continues to negotiate with the Ann Arbor Railroad for access into downtown Ann Arbor.

Langdon, Tim Fischer of the Michigan Environmental Council,  and Rick Harnish of Midwest High Speed Rail were among those attending a recent meeting on the proposed new Detroit River Tunnel.  Wilson reported that environmental assessments for the tunnel are underway.

East/Central: No report.

Western:  The proposed station stop at Fennville on the Pere Marquette is a dead issue, Langdon reported with regret.  The track curves as it goes through the community and a platform cannot be built on the curve.  Unfortunately, New Buffalo was not successful in winning the TIGER IV grant to study a connection between the CSX line and the Amtrak line just north of that city, meaning that a second frequency on the Pere Marquette is less likely in the immediate future.

Committee Reports:

            Route Enhancement Committee:  Gurney noted that additional Amtrak Thruway stops in Northern Michigan had been discussed earlier in the day.

Old Business:

            VIA Rail Cutbacks:  Wilson reported that along with DeLora and Tischbein, he had recently met with concerned citizens and officials in Sarnia, Ontario.  One suggestion was a new Amtrak Thruway bus connecting Battle Creek, East Lansing, Flint, and Port Huron with Sarnia and London, Ontario.

New Business/ Good of the Order

            Chicago Union Station:  Noting recent complaints from MARP members about the utter chaos at Chicago Union Station, Krieg proposed a subcommittee to review the present situation in conjunction with other affected rail passenger groups in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana.  The subcommittee would meet with Amtrak officials in Chicago and recommend immediate improvements that could be made without costly structural changes.  Krieg’s motion was seconded by Langdon and approved by the members present.

Connections to Comerica Park:  Several members from West Michigan urged MARP to use its influence to develop good connections between West Michigan and ComericaPark.  At the present time, none exist.

Adjournment:  Tischbein moved adjournment.  The motion was seconded by Langdon and approved by the members present.  The meeting adjourned at 12:35 p.m.

Respectfully submitted:                                              Approved:

Hugh D. Gurney                                                         Robert Tischbein

Secretary                                                                     Chair

DRAFT
MINUTES
MICHIGAN ASSOCIATION OF RAILROAD PASSENGERS
MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP MEETING
UNION STATION, MUSKEGON
JUNE 16, 2012

Members Present:  Hugh Gurney, Don Monteith, Dave Randall, John Langdon, Kay Chase, Dave VanderBee, Clark Charnetski, Steve T. Sobel, Dan Platz, Kathleen Newell, Larry Sobczak, Dianne Patterson, Robert Patterson, J. P. DesCamp, Rich Vavra-Musser

Also Present: Rosemary Horvath, Tess Craven, Alan Bond, Andy Bussard

Call to Order:  Acting Chair Monteith called the meeting to order at 11:40 a.m.  All present were asked to introduce themselves and tell why they were interested in passenger rail.

Nominations:  Nominations Chair Sobel reported that all incumbent members of the Executive Committee have agreed to serve in their current positions for another two years.  Larry Krieg has agreed to stand for the vacant Vice Chair position.  We are still looking for members qualified and willing to stand for the positions of East/Central Regional Chair and West Michigan Regional Chair. 

Speaker: Andy Bussard, Archivist with the Muskegon Railroad Historical Society, then gave an excellent Power Point presentation on railroading in Muskegon County.  By 1869, Muskegon was connected to Ferrysburg by rail.  This short line was incorporated into other lines to connect to Grand Haven and Holland.  Over the years, other lines were built and by 1897, the Pere Marquette was operating a railroad car ferry to the western side of Lake Michigan.  Throughout the first six decades of the Twentieth Century, the port was served by three major railroads, the Pere Marquette, the Grand Trunk Western and the Pennsylvania, with loaded railroad cars ferried to various points in Wisconsin.  Passengers transferred from trains to the ferries at the Union Depot and the nearby Grand Trunk Depot.  The last passenger train departed Union Station on April 30, 1971, the day before Amtrak took responsibility for passenger service nationwide.  It is ironic that the first railroad to connect Muskegon to the rest of the world is the last to serve the community, running north from Holland and Grand Haven to Muskegon.

In addition to the Power Point presentation, replete with historic photographs and visuals of actual railroad timetables and other documents, Bussard provided members with an excellent set of maps depicting the routes of all the rail lines serving Muskegon and adjacent counties.

Adjournment:  The meeting adjourned at 12:55 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted:                                             Accepted:

Hugh D. Gurney                                                         Robert Tischbein

Secretary                                                                     Chair

DRAFT
MICHIGAN ASSOCIATION OF RAILROAD PASSENGERS
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
UNION STATION, MUSKEGON
 JUNE 16, 2012

 Members Present: Don Monteith, Hugh Gurney, Dave Randall, John Langdon, Kathleen Newell, Kay Chase

 Also Present: Rich Vavra-Musser, Rosemary Horvath, Dave VanderBee, Clark Charnetski, Steve T. Sobel, Tess Craven, Dan Platz, Larry Sobczak, Alan Bond, Diane Patterson, Robert Patterson, J. P. DesCamp

 Call to Order:  Acting Chair Monteith called the meeting to order at 10:10 a.m. 

 Minutes:  Minutes of the Executive Committee Meeting and the General Membership Meeting in Chelsea on April 21 were reviewed.  Langdon moved acceptance of the Executive Committee minutes.  The motion was seconded by Randall and approved by the members present. 

 Langdon then moved acceptance of the General Membership Meeting minutes.  This motion was likewise seconded by Randall and approved by the members present.

 Treasurer’s Report:  Randall then passed out copies of the Treasurer’s Report and highlighted findings.  As of May 31, 2012, MARP’s checking account stood at $11,067.48 and the Pratt Fund was valued at $15,719.87.   At this point in the Fiscal Year, we have hit our target on dues and have expended 39% of our budgeted expenses, an operating ratio of 45.92%.  Randall moved approval of the Treasurer’s Report.  This was seconded by Gurney and approved by the members present.

 Randall then proposed that MARP move its investment account, often referred to as the Pratt Fund, from American Funds Investment Company of America A (AIVSX) to Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Investment (VTSMX).  The prime reason for this recommendation would be cost, down from an expense ratio of 0.61% to 0.18% with Vanguard. 

 Langdon moved acceptance of Randall’s proposal.  This was seconded by Newell and approved by the members present.

 Coordinator Reports:

            Governmental Affairs:  On June 15, Langdon attended the signing of the accord between Michigan Governor Snyder and Canadian Prime Minister Harper clearing the way for construction of a second bridge across the Detroit River just south of Detroit.  MARP has remained neutral on this issue.

On the same day, Langdon joined Hinkins and Fischer at a meeting on a new rail tunnel between Detroit and Windsor.  The consensus of those present was that the tunnel would be built.  Passenger trains would use the existing tunnel and freight would move through the new tunnel.

 On June 10, 11 and 12, Langdon and Chase were in Kalamazoo attending a meeting of the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission.  The group, which has developed the Midwest rail plan now coming to fruition, enjoyed travelling between Porter and Kalamazoo at 110 mph.  One of the Illinois representatives threw out the idea of using a carrier other than Amtrak for Midwest trains.

             Communications:  Larry Sobczak acknowledged problems with the Spring issue of The Michigan Passenger.  Some letters did not print.  The printer has been notified of the problem and will do a small test run before he prints the next issue to be sure that all glitches have been addressed.

             Membership:  Newell noted that the reminder notice had brought in an additional forty renewals as well as several donations.  We are working to be sure that our membership records are current before soliciting new members from the NARP membership list.

             Meetings:  Speaking for Wallington, Gurney announced that the next meeting will take place at the Rapid Central Station in Grand Rapids on Saturday, July 28.  The Annual Meeting is scheduled for Durand Union Station on September 22.  Bob Johnson of Trains magazine will be the principal speaker.  Members were asked to be sure their passports or enhanced driver’s licenses were in order in preparation for the November 10 meeting in Essex, Ontario.

 Langdon suggested a meeting adjacent to the historic depot in Vicksburg sometime in 2013.

 Regional Chapter Reports:

            Southeast Michigan:  Gurney reported that the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority has approved expenditure of funds for WALLY station design.  SEMGOG’s Carmine Palombo reports that during the week of May 7-11, in-motion testing of the MiTrain commuter cars was conducted by Great Lakes Central Railroad in Shiawassee County.  The cars are now verified to safely and comfortably operate at speeds up to 40 mph. Final tests will be done by Amtrak on the Ann Arbor to Detroit corridor at speeds up to 79 mph during July.   Along with the technical testing of brakes, doors and other mechanical features, Amtrak personnel will be on board simulating station stops and familiarizing themselves with the cars.  Once these tests are complete, the cars will be cleared for use as Amtrak special trains.  SEMCOG and MDOT expect the first service to special events will take place in late 2012 or 2013.  The Amtrak certified inspectors, who have inspected refurbished cars in use by other commuter services have declared that the work done by Great Lakes Central is “best in class.”

Charnetski reported that the City of Ann Arbor has voted to accept a $2.8 million grant from the FRA to assist in planning a new passenger station in that city.  The new facility will probably be in the vicinity of the University of Michigan Medical Center, though there is some sentiment for keeping it at the existing location.  The governor is still pushing for a Southeast Michigan Regional Transportation Authority.

 Robert Patterson noted that the Detroit People Mover will soon be thirty years old.  It has had very few problems, though new equipment will soon be needed. 

 Langdon commented that everyone still needs to get on the same page if rail passenger service between Detroit and Windsor is to happen.

 East/Central: No Report.

 Welcome to Muskegon:  At this point, Vice Mayor Stephen Gawron entered the room and welcomed all the City of Muskegon.  He noted that at one time there were rail lines to every industrial site in the community and railroad cars were always being loaded on ferries bound for Kenosha and other points on the other side of Lake Michigan.  Muskegon is the deepest port on the east side of Lake Michigan and Gawron hopes to make it a vital port and a regional transportation center.  The tool and dye industry may lead the way.  Gawron noted that the CVB had been using the beautifully restored Union Station since the 1990’s and the city was now restoring the nearby Grand Trunk Depot.

             West Michigan:  Using Gawron’s welcome as a lead in, Langdon noted his work with the Muskegon CVB and local transportation authorities to establish bus service from Muskegon to Holland to connect with Pere Marquette trains there.  He is also working with the Grand Rapids’ RAPID on better connections between local transit and Amtrak.

 Amtrak has reduced the time certain trains take between Chicago and Kalamazoo, not because 110 mph speeds have been implemented, but to facilitate crew changes at Battle Creek. 

 The City of Grand Rapids has approved a stop for Megabus in that city.  In July, Megabus plans to initiate several daily frequencies connecting Detroit, East Lansing, Grand Rapids and Chicago. 

             Northern Michigan:  Effective on August 1, 2012, Indian Trails will start serving Charlevoix, Monteith reported.  MDOT, which also funds the Beaver Island Ferry, saw the value of a connection with intercity bus service.  The Indian Trails bus from Lansing which currently terminates at Boyne Falls, will now continue to the dock in Charlevoix.  Langdon sees the possibility that Beaver Island could be and Amtrak Thruway stop. 

Monteith also reported that train service will be renewed to serve mines opening along the Wisconsin-Michigan state line in the Western UP.  Canadian Pacific will operate the service.

 Plans to power the S.S.Badger by natural gas continue.

Adjournment:  The Executive Committee meeting adjourned at 11:30 a.m.

Respectfully Submitted:                                             Accepted:

Hugh D. Gurney                                                         Robert Tischbein

Secretary                                                                     Chair

MICHIGAN ASSOCIATION OF RAILROAD PASSENGERS
MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP MEETING
MICHIGAN CENTRAL DEPOT, CHELSEA
APRIL 21, 2012

 Members Signing In: Doug Wilson, Dave Randall, John D. Langdon, Hugh Gurney, Kay Chase, Bob Tischbein, Steve T. Sobel, Dan Platz. Gerri Anderson, Don Monteith, Clark Charnetski, Dick Pekarek, Larry Krieg, Charles Merkel, Julien Wolfe, Jim Hinkins, Donna Tipton, Ron Tipton, Roger Webster, Steve Vagnozzi, John Guidinger, Janet Howes, John DeLora

 Also Present: Larry Bean, Robert D. Shannon, Charley Bonnell, Martha Wolfe, Joann Stoddart

 Call to Order:  The meeting was called to order at 11:00 a.m.  Those who had arrived during the Executive Committee meeting were asked to introduce themselves.

 Speaker:  Hugh Gurney introduced Robert D. Shannon, local railroad historian and member of the Chelsea Depot Association. 

 Shannon began his remarks by pointing to a blown up photo of Michigan Central’s Mercury taking water on the run from a water trough just east of Chelsea.  The Mercury made the trip from Detroit to Chicago in four hours during the 1940’s. 

 Shannon first reviewed the development of railroads in England and in the Eastern United States including the Baltimore and Ohio, first to cross the Alleghenies. 

 The Michigan Central was one of three state owned railroads planned to cross the state from East to West.  It reached Chelsea in 1841 and was built as far as Kalamazoo before the state ran out of money.  Initially, the railroad had no ballast and the ties were laid parallel to the rails.  Eventually, the state sold its interests to financiers James Joy, J. Brooks and John Forbes who completed construction.  Instead of continuing west from Kalamazoo to St. Joseph, the new owners built southwesterly to New Buffalo and eventually into Chicago.  Trains ran at about 20 mph and took 8-12 hours between Detroit and Chicago.  With the advent of the telegraph, train speed increased to around 30 mph.  Motive power was wood, purchased from local farmers along the right of way.

 The Michigan Central financed the Great Southern Railway of Canada, stretching from Windsor to Niagara Falls, where it crossed back into the United States on a suspension bridge built in 1857.  This Canadian connection permitted trains to make the trip from Detroit to New York City in 15 hours by 1937.

The present station is Chelsea’s third, built in 1880.  During that decade, eight trains a day stopped at the growing community.  The Glazier Stove Works was the first major industry.  Others followed.

By the 1940’s, only two trains a day were stopping in Chelsea.  The completion of I-94 killed any remaining passenger service.  Conrail wanted to tear depot down in the 1970’s.  Fortunately, the city was persuaded to purchase the structure.  Today, the depot is managed by the Chelsea Depot Association, which supports its preservation by renting it out for functions such as weddings, receptions, dinners and other events.

DeLora noted that MARP members including himself, John Guidinger and Clark Charnetski did extensive work on the Chelsea Depot during the summer of 1974.  MDOT had agreed that if repairs were made at no expense to MDOT, they would have the planned Jackson-Detroit Michigan Executive stop there.  The roof was re-shingled, broken windows repaired, rotted siding replaced, and the entire building scraped down to bare wood and repainted in mint green and forest green, the paint acquired from a friendly Penn Central Division Superintendent.  Brick walkways around the building were dug out.  Chelsea was a stop on the Michigan Executive  until the train was discontinued in 1979. 

Regional Chapter Reports (Continued)

            Metro Detroit:  Hinkins noted the passing of long time member Dietrich Bergmann.  DeLora will be proposing a memorial for him, probably at the next meeting.

 DeLora is preparing old Michigan Central timetables for the MARP web site.

No activity has been noted at West Detroit Junction.

 Mayor Bing has been invited to participate in National Train Day festivities at the Detroit Amtrak station on May 12. 

 Charnetski reported that the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority plans to issue an RFP for WALLY Station Design in the near future.  Despite the withdrawal of the University of Michigan from the Fuller Road Transportation Center, the city of Ann Arbor intends to confirm a contract for design of a station at that location near the University of Michigan Medical Center. UM will build its parking structure at a location about ¼ of a mile distant.

             West Michigan:  Work is now underway on the new Grand Rapids rail station, Langdon reported.  Westrain plans to involve Chambers of Commerce, Convention and Visitor Bureaus and municipal leaders in its promotion of the current Pere Marquette and a second daily frequency.  Langdon is working on securing grant funding for a community benefits study to bolster the cause for a second frequency. 

MDOT is supporting New Buffalo’s application for a TIGER grant to connect the Pere Marquette line with the higher speed Amtrak line just north of that community.  The grant application also calls for a long passing siding between Dowagiac and Niles.

Ridership on the Pere Marquette is increasing and the daily train now consists of five cars.

             East/Central Michigan:  Pekarek reported that repair of the water damage at Durand Union Station is now complete.  The westbound Blue Water continues to run ahead of schedule east of Battle Creek.

 Committee Reports:

            Amtrak Thruway Connection Committee:  Gurney reported that the Michigan Flyer is now operating four additional frequencies between Ann Arbor and Detroit Metro Airport under and agreement with the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority.  The new frequencies will originate at UM’s Central Transportation Center, then proceed to the Blake Transportation Center in downtown Ann Arbor and a stop at the Kensington Court Hotel before heading to the airport on I-94.  Michigan Flyer buses serving East Lansing will now stop at the Blake Transportation Center and the Kensington Court Hotel in Ann Arbor.  Michigan Flyer will no longer serve Jackson.

             Route Enhancement Committee:  Gurney reported on the status of Route Enhancement Goals for 2012.  One item not reported elsewhere during this or previous meetings is that a methodology for determining costs under PRIIA Section 209 has been proposed by Amtrak,  agreed to by almost all of the states involved and approved by the STB.  Indiana opposes the methodology and may appeal.  Ground breaking for the new Dearborn Transportation Center took place on April 10, 2012.  The Route Enhancement Committee will meet today over lunch at Cleary’s Pub.

             Toledo Train Day:  Tischbein, Gurney, Newell, Leatz, Hinkins, Langdon and Wilson will help staff a MARP table at this event on May 5.  Several members of this group will also help staff the Amtrak 40^th Anniversary train on display there.

            Port Huron/Sarnia Blue Water Committee:  Wilson reported that a new Port Huron station near the location of the current station has been decided upon for several logistical reasons including proximity to the main CN tracks.  He submitted a detailed way finding plan to help passengers find the station.

             Outreach:  Tischbein distributed a copy of the Outreach Schedule as it exists right now.  He asked for volunteers to help staff National Train Day events at several locations on May 12.  Charnetski noted that he will put his efforts into the Ann Arbor Green Fair scheduled for June 8 rather than an event at the Ann Arbor Amtrak station on May 12.

            National Train Day:  Langdon reported that Tim Fischer is working to have both the Michigan Senate and the Michigan House of Representatives issue proclamations supporting National Train Day.

Adjournment:  The meeting adjourned at 12:50 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted:                                             Accepted:

Hugh D. Gurney                                                         Robert Tischbein

Secretary                                                                     Chair