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Re: Study Time....again - A2TC commuter rail project
Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2022 12:09 pm
by SD80MAC
MrAnderson wrote: ↑Mon Nov 07, 2022 6:52 pm
SD80MAC wrote: ↑Wed Nov 02, 2022 2:38 pm
Nah, just rooted in reality, not pipe dreams.
Well unfortunately, climate change isn't a pipe dream, it's reality.
Well, fortunately, we're not talking about Climate Change, we're talking about a mis-guided boondoggle connecting two points by rail that have no reason to be connected.
Increase frequency and up the speeds on our existing passenger routes before we dump millions of tax payer dollars into "studies".
Re: Study Time....again - A2TC commuter rail project
Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2022 12:23 pm
by MrAnderson
SD80MAC wrote: ↑Wed Nov 09, 2022 12:09 pm
Well, fortunately, we're not talking about Climate Change, we're talking about a mis-guided boondoggle connecting two points by rail that have no reason to be connected.
Increase frequency and up the speeds on our existing passenger routes before we dump millions of tax payer dollars into "studies".
I agree, there's no need for studies. Just build it.
Rail service also shouldn't need to be profitable. It is a service that isn't provided to a vast majority of Americans. They are forced to spend thousands on a car, the least efficient method of transport. We already dump billions into our highways, shift that to rails.
Re: Study Time....again - A2TC commuter rail project
Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2022 1:05 pm
by PatAzo
A2TC make the statement "...the system has the potential to be profitable based on conservative ridership forecasts." They set the bar for profitability.
Re: Study Time....again - A2TC commuter rail project
Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2022 1:39 pm
by J T
MrAnderson wrote: ↑Wed Nov 09, 2022 12:23 pm
I agree, there's no need for studies. Just build it.
Rail service also shouldn't need to be profitable. It is a service that isn't provided to a vast majority of Americans. They are forced to spend thousands on a car, the least efficient method of transport. We already dump billions into our highways, shift that to rails.
That's because roads go EVERYWHERE. Rails don't.
Yes, we spend thousands, but that's because we work hard to own things. And we want the freedom to come and go as we please and go wherever we want. Rails don't provide that.
Re: Study Time....again - A2TC commuter rail project
Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2022 3:15 pm
by Ypsi
PatAzo wrote: ↑Wed Nov 09, 2022 1:05 pm
A2TC make the statement "...the system has the potential to be profitable based on conservative ridership forecasts." They set the bar for profitability.
IF they truly believe or can prove this as a publicly funded venture, then it SHOULD be a no brainer and already started. 50 years of Amtrak and other commuter agencies would show otherwise. This "could" make a profit as a seasonal tourist train, but to pretend daily service with "conservative ridership" would be profitable is silly.
Re: Study Time....again - A2TC commuter rail project
Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2022 4:04 pm
by GRHC
J T wrote: ↑Fri Jul 15, 2022 6:30 am
That's because roads go EVERYWHERE. Rails don't.
Yes, we spend thousands, but that's because we work hard to own things. And we want the freedom to come and go as we please and go wherever we want. Rails don't provide that.
Re: Study Time....again - A2TC commuter rail project
Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2022 7:35 pm
by PatAzo
Aside from profitability another dubious claim A2TC makes is of lower peninsula residents "...the No. 1 transportation infrastructure addition Michiganders wanted was passenger rail service to Traverse City." Really?
Re: Study Time....again - A2TC commuter rail project
Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2022 8:31 pm
by Steve B
Almost as amusing as the naive A2TC proponents is the ongoing anguish expressed on this board about it. Chill out people. Money for the preliminary and final studies is infinitesimally small compared to the billions spent on other transportation projects in Michigan.
And if by some fluke we do end up getting a trial or permanent A2TC, just relax and enjoy the ride. After all, we're railfans. Don't get so angry about the prospect of additional trains!
Re: Study Time....again - A2TC commuter rail project
Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2022 10:42 am
by dalek ling
Steve B wrote: ↑Wed Nov 09, 2022 8:31 pm
Almost as amusing as the naive A2TC proponents is the ongoing anguish expressed on this board about it. Chill out people. Money for the preliminary and final studies is infinitesimally small compared to the billions spent on other transportation projects in Michigan.
And if by some fluke we do end up getting a trial or permanent A2TC, just relax and enjoy the ride. After all, we're railfans. Don't get so angry about the prospect of additional trains!
I think this “project” is going to be a lot like the Music City Star in Tennessee. Because at first they wanted to go from Nashville to Murfreesboro But they didn’t get cooperation from CSX. (Possibly why the Coast to Coast isn’t happening) and they are doing A2TC because the state owns it. Only thing they got to buy is access to Durand.
Just my opinion
Re: Study Time....again - A2TC commuter rail project
Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2022 12:27 pm
by DaveO
MDOT doesn't own Owosso-Durand and Osmer south.
Re: Study Time....again - A2TC commuter rail project
Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2022 1:07 pm
by J T
This thread is the gift that keeps on giving!
Re: Study Time....again - A2TC commuter rail project
Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2022 1:51 pm
by Ben Higdon
Its a shame we don't have any worthwhile mainstream news outlets anymore. I'd love to see a high profile news article looking into the amazing incompetence and dishonesty that keeps rolling this proverbial turd of an idea down the road.
Re: Study Time....again - A2TC commuter rail project
Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2022 2:14 pm
by dalek ling
Ben Higdon wrote: ↑Thu Nov 10, 2022 1:51 pm
Its a shame we don't have any worthwhile mainstream news outlets anymore. I'd love to see a high profile news article looking into the amazing incompetence and dishonesty that keeps rolling this proverbial turd of an idea down the road.
I think this is the closet one.
https://www.michigancapitolconfidential ... limsy-data
Re: Study Time....again - A2TC commuter rail project
Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2022 11:42 pm
by Steve B
DaveO wrote: ↑Thu Nov 10, 2022 12:27 pm
MDOT doesn't own Owosso-Durand and Osmer south.
Although interchange is at Osmer, MDOT owns past that to a point by Plymouth Rd. Street View shows a yard limit board, "BEGIN TWC" sign, 25 MPH speed limit sign, milepost "47.5," a rail project on the MDOT track ending there, and change of ballast color. The proponents of the ill-fated WALLY train envisioned a terminus in that area to avoid dealing with the Ann Arbor RR.
Mount Pleasant named officials to be apart of Committee To look into passenger rail
Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2024 5:58 pm
by dalek ling
Now the article is only for subscribers of the Morning Sun, but still here’s the link and the little snippet from there Facebook page
“A public update is expected this fall after the Mt. Pleasant City Commission named three officials to a committee that will look into a passenger railway to connect northern and southern Michigan. City Manager Aaron Desentz, Downtown Development Director Michelle Sponseller and City Engineer Stacie Tewari are the city’s Passenger Railway Service Advisory Committee, established”
https://www.themorningsun.com/2024/06/1 ... MTZieXRlcw
Re: Mount Pleasant named officials to be apart of Committee To look into passenger rail
Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2024 6:36 pm
by dalek ling
Re: Mount Pleasant named officials to be apart of Committee To look into passenger rail
Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2024 9:57 am
by joeyuboats
Still beating a dead horse, I see .
Re: Study Time....again - A2TC commuter rail project
Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2024 10:05 am
by ~Z~
Positive: use of archive.ph to link us to an article that's hidden behind paywalls, good work.
Negative: ug, yet another post about passenger rail on GLC trackage, over and over for years now. It's like CP buying CSX in Michigan, it will never die. I feel inclined to lock this, but if you all play remotely nice compared to the last Ann Arbor to Traverse City thread, I can leave it open for a bit.
Re: Study Time....again - A2TC commuter rail project
Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2024 4:47 pm
by GRHC
~Z~ wrote: ↑Fri Jun 14, 2024 10:05 am
Positive: use of archive.ph to link us to an article that's hidden behind paywalls, good work.
Negative: ug, yet another post about passenger rail on GLC trackage, over and over for years now. It's like CP buying CSX in Michigan, it will never die. I feel inclined to lock this, but if you all play remotely nice compared to the last Ann Arbor to Traverse City thread, I can leave it open for a bit.
I’m confused I thought the purpose of this thread was to spread A2TC disinformation give false hope and to facilitate mean spirited behavior. If that’s not the case then you might as well lock it. Lock it up lock it up lock it up.
Here’s a link to a video of the Mount Pleasant city council meeting that named three officials to a committee that will look into a passenger railway to connect northern and southern Michigan. This city council meeting was mentioned in an above post. The council meeting does not start until 7:32 in to the video.
https://www.youtube.com/live/6jjbHJ7yr6 ... ntxLVNTnUZ
Here’s a link to a video where another train is mentioned.
https://youtu.be/sIyOUnsGsUE?si=oTFylsxQktVzJ3Ds
Re: Study Time....again - A2TC commuter rail project
Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2024 10:42 pm
by J T
For F’s sake…let this foamer fantasy die once and for all!