  Cinderpath Member Username: Cinderpath Post Number: 27 Registered: 05-2006 |
Commuter route gets support Amtrak, Norfolk Southern willing to discuss service from Detroit to Ann Arbor for transit authority's market test. Andy Henion / The Detroit News DETROIT -- Amtrak, which runs long-haul trains through southeastern Michigan, and Norfolk Southern, which owns the track, say they're open to the possibility of commuter service from Detroit to Ann Arbor. The companies' buy-in is crucial for the potential $100 million project to move off the drawing board. The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, which is leading the effort, recently scrapped grander ideas for premium train or bus service between the two cities because of low ridership projections. Instead, SEMCOG wants to establish lower-cost demonstration service to test the market, possibly by leasing Amtrak trains. Marc Magliari, Amtrak's Chicago-based spokesman, said the company is open to running the service, although a host of issues must be worked out, including equipment needs, potential cost and agreement with Norfolk Southern. Project leaders from Amtrak and SEMCOG will meet for the first time this week in Detroit. In addition to its core long-haul business, Amtrak is the nation's leading contractor for commuter service, running lines in California and on the East Coast. "It's the business we're in," Magliari said, adding that the Detroit-Ann Arbor proposal "is still very early in the process." Amtrak's Pontiac-to-Chicago trains run full, so any new service likely would require additional trains. Amtrak has some in storage, although they're designed for long-haul use and more seats would probably need to be added to accommodate heavy commuter traffic. Amtrak's Detroit station is off Woodward Avenue in the New Center Area, meaning commuters would have to find other means of transportation to get downtown. Virginia-based Norfolk Southern is also willing to discuss the possibility of commuter service, said spokesman Rudy Husband. The company runs six freight trains a day along the Detroit-to-Ann Arbor route, which leaves room for additional service. By comparison, the company runs 100 trains a day on its main Toledo-to-Chicago line. When setting up a commuter agreement, the company requires the service to meet federal safety standards; that it not hurt current or future company business; that Norfolk Southern is "compensated fairly" and that the company is protected from a liability standpoint. "If those conditions are met, the odds are fairly good" it will be approved, Husband said. It's too early to say how much the service would cost or when it could start, said Carmine Palombo, SEMCOG's transportation director. SEMCOG has some federal funding that could possibly pay for a portion of the service, said Palombo, who wouldn't disclose the amount. The federal government has earmarked $100 million for the Detroit-to-Ann Arbor service, although that funding only becomes available when SEMCOG proves that suitable ridership exists. The money cannot be used for the demonstration line, Palombo said. | ||
Livernoisyard Member Username: Livernoisyard Post Number: 1936 Registered: 10-2004 |
Why start another thread about this, even using the very same title as the first??? | ||
Ndavies Member Username: Ndavies Post Number: 2378 Registered: 10-2003 |
Already covered 9.5 hours ago. https://www.atdetroit.net/forum/mes sages/5/89265.html?1166453636 |
