Lansing to Detroit commuter train???

[acatgal1118]

Years ago I heard about a proposed commuter train connecting Lansing and Detroit. Does anyone here know if this is still in the works?

Thanks!
Tanja

[RailCanon]

I think that idea died. I haven't heard anything about it for years.

[AARR]

As gas prices continue to rise I think we'll hear more ideas about public transportation.

Anyone think there are many people in power who'd love to see us average citizens dependent on government for getting around Just asking...not accusing or pointing a finger.

[nsted1582]

I think it died but I know they were also talking about one from Saginaw to Detroit. Im not sure about that one.

[trainjunkie47]

I think it died but I know they were also talking about one from Saginaw to Detroit. Im not sure about that one.

The only route possible would involve three railroads, making logistics a nightmare. You would have to go CN to Holly, CSX, SBS for sake of time and miles. CSX to Plymouth and north would be too long.

[CERY]

They could run a GRR-Lansing-Detroit train over CSX and that would offer a lot of people a cheap way to get to the main business centers of Michigan. However the track speeds are slow over CSX and there capacity may be stretched by adding commuter trains.

[OwlCaboose2853]

Years ago I heard about a proposed commuter train connecting Lansing and Detroit. Does anyone here know if this is still in the works?

Thanks!
Tanja

Microsoft Word - Lansing To Detroit Regional Commuter Rail Study Final Report
http://www.rossmanmartin.com/PDF/Lansin ... Report.pdf

Lansing to Detroit Passenger Rail Study Phase http://www.cata.org/media_files/pdf_fil ... phasei.pdf

Sound like as idea motion holding instead of dead~

[Scooterb]

How about Lansing to Jackson to Detroit all on NS trackage?

[CERY]

How about Lansing to Jackson to Detroit all on NS trackage?

Well track speeds are so slow on the Lansing Secondary that it would take all day just to get to Jackson. 10mph is about all they get to at least here in town.

[Scooterb]

Of course they would have to upgrade it, but it would be cheaper than laying new track and once they got to Jackson it would be fairly descent the rest of the way.

[OwlCaboose2853]

How about Lansing to Jackson to Detroit all on NS trackage?

Scooterb; Check pages 12 and 69 http://www.cata.org/media_files/pdf_fil ... phasei.pdf

[hobojim]

The bigger question is what does Detroit have that would support the daily ridership needed to make transit to there viable?
I think it is much more viable to have a statewide system patterned after the interstate system going where people want to go, than one going to a place where most people avoid.(Detroit)
Outside of a few sporting events there is not much in Detroit to attract people and nothing on a daily basis.
The real hurdles are not tracks and freights RRs cooperation, but politics and the desire of taxpayers to pay for such a system. Tracks can be upgraded, new rights of way can be established but that takes guts on the part of politicians, and that is something sadly lacking in Michigan.

[Fred]

I believe the talk about a Lansing/Detroit and a Flint/Detroit commuter service started when GM was closing up offices and moving everything to downtown Detroit, thought was employees could take the train rather than have to drive their own car. Nothing ever came of the rumors.

[CAT345C]

Grey hound or Indian Trails has that Michigan Flyer bus, that is like 5 dollars that does Lansing to Detroit so I think thats the closest we would get.

[Bentrail]

RUM AMTRAK FROM GRAND RAPIDS TO DETROIT OH WAIT
CSX WOULD HAVE TO UPGRADE LINE FROM GRR TO DETROIT.

[J T]

The bigger question is what does Detroit have that would support the daily ridership needed to make transit to there viable?

Answer: Nothing.

Hence, it'll never happen. Unless, of course, Detroit somehow magically becomes like Chicago overnight. You can talk all you want about track upgrades and whatnot, but all of that is a moot point unless Detroit has the ability to lure daily shoppers out of GR like Chicago does with the Pere Marquette.

Here's my answer to that:

[hobojim]

Detroit does not have a mall, shopping center or chain super market. Not much there to entice anyone.

[AARR]

Would the many corporate jobs (GM, Compuware, etc.), gambling, and sports that Detroit has be enough to attract the number of riders it takes to justify commuter service into Detroit? How about the festivals and shows at Cobo Hall? Just asking the questions...

[Fred]

I agree that the City of Detroit probably doesn't have the "draw" it did years ago. but I think commuter service might be viable if it offered riders the chance to get from "home" in Ann Arbor, Dearborn, Belleville, Wayne, other "western' suburbs as well as "downriver" cities to "work" in either Detroit, Troy, or Birmingham and vice-versa. I know quite a few people who would fit that description. The key would be that the trains MUST operate on time!

[AARR]

IMHO it'll take a strong job market to make commuter service viable. People commuting from the suburbs to the city for their jobs. I believe this is the case in other major cities. I don't think a city's entertainment options will sustain commuter service. So IMO Detroit needs jobs for commuter service to work.