Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers

2024 Michigan Rail Conference

Register now for the 2024 Michigan Rail Conference August 14-16, 2023 in Livonia, MI. The conference will also function as the inaugural annual meeting for the recently established National University Rail Center of Excellence (NURail CoE).

Featuring Keynote Speaker, Patrick Fuchs, Member of the Surface Transportation Board. Great lineup of speakers and events that you won't want to miss!

No comment needed!

Ever wonder why the U.S. doesn't have a world-class passenger rail system? Here's why...you get what you pay for:

New Train Service from the Twin Cities to Milwaukee and Chicago

Borealis Train | Amtrak Take the Borealis train between St. Paul/Minneapolis and Chicago with stops in Glenview, La Crosse, Milwaukee & Winona. Book your trip today.

Interesting work!

Mapping the Expansion of Passenger Rail in the United States PART TWO --Visualizing Corridor Identification and Development Program (Corridor ID) Selections and FRA Long Distance Study Route Selections

The City of Durand is seeking to improve pedestrian connectivity between Downtown and the Durand Union Station. The idea to establish a safe pedestrian crossing of the CN Railroad tracks has been proposed in several recent studies, including the City’s Non-Motorized Master Plan. The City has secured grant funding to study the feasibility of this pedestrian railroad crossing.

The City of Durand has prepared a short, 10-question survey to solicit citizen and stakeholder opinions related to this project.

Durand Pedestrian Railroad Crossing Survey Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.

Food for thought.

Ever wonder why the U.S. doesn't have a world-class passenger rail system? Here's why...you get what you pay for:

Something to ponder.

Is It Cheaper To Drive Versus Take A Commuter Train? Amtrak has plenty of convenient trains for commuters, but is it cheaper to drive?

Wolverine Service Update

Amtrak to cut back on Detroit-to-Chicago trips to allow for track improvements Amtrack will be limiting its operations between Detroit and Chicago this year for track improvements.

More proposed service for Michigan.

New study underway to expand passenger railways in Toledo Toledoans are one step closer to a new form of transportation that would link the city to Cleveland and Detroit.

Only thing missing is passenger trains!

The Revitalization of Ruin U-M alumni are helping transform Michigan Central Station into an epicenter of innovation.

Please encourage Governor Whitmer to include more funding for public transit and non-motorized transit in the upcoming budget.

secure.everyaction.com Copyright © 2023 Transportation Riders United, Inc. PO Box 2668, Detroit, Michigan 48202 313-963-8872 [email protected]

Michigan needs to replicate what North Carolina has accomplished.

NC By Train achieves record breaking ridership - The Coastland Times NC By Train achieved record ridership in 2023 for the second year in a row. The state’s intercity passenger rail service

MARP Membership Meeting
Thursday, December 7, 2023
5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Via Zoom

MARP is inviting you to take a break from your holiday preparations and “zoom in” to the last membership meeting of the year.

Join Zoom Meeting Here

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86964098970?pwd=ZXZQeEJJVTdld2JjOTlGdytENlNVQT09
Meeting ID: 869 6409 8970
Passcode: 188371

This article notes that passenger rail should be a key part of Michigan's economic future.

Opinion | Michigan’s prosperity depends on building great cities and schools | Bridge Michigan We need vibrant, densely populated cities to attract young talent and more students completing four-year degrees to build our economy. Low-wage jobs won’t get us there. If we can attract talented people, capital will follow.

New Amtrak fare system coming.

Amtrak announced on October 18, 2023, that a simplified fare structure will be rolled out later this fall and it will feature two general fare level options:

Flex Fares: For customers who want a more flexible travel option, these tickets will be fully refundable if canceled, and can be changed without fees before departure[1]; and

Value Fares: For customers who know their travel plans and want a more affordable option, these tickets will be a lower price than Flex tickets, non-changeable and receive a 75% refund if canceled.

The press release noted that many Flex fares will be offered at substantially lower starting rates (i.e. when booked far in advance of travel) than are currently offered.

https://media.amtrak.com/2023/10/amtrak-announces-simplified-fares-coming-soon/

https://www.hsrail.org/blog/impressions-from-a-ride-on-brightline/?emci=2bd452e0-6a6c-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&emdi=fa261f52-ce6d-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&ceid=2218401

Eight quick thoughts after riding Brightline’s new Orlando to West Palm Beach service | High Speed Rail Alliance America is defined by its regions. From the mountains and lush forests of Cascadia, to the plains and Great Lakes of the Midwest, to the bluegrass and sweet wetlands of the Southeast—every region is unique.

Good news for Michigan.

NEWS - MDOT awarded federal grant to replace Manistee River railroad bridge NEWS - MDOT awarded federal grant to replace Manistee River railroad bridge Michigan DOT sent this bulletin at 09/29/2023 09:56 AM EDT Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASESeptember 29, 2023 MEDIA CONTACTMichael [email protected] MDOT....

Tell Lansing you want better train service!

Tell Lansing that you want better trains! | High Speed Rail Alliance Michigan needs and deserves vastly better train service. Together we can ensure that happens.

Please answer this action alert.

Action Alert: Ask Congress to Fund Federal Railroad Administration at $3.4 Billion in FY24 | High Speed Rail Alliance Congress is not providing the necessary funding to make high-speed rail a reality. Ask your representatives to get on board!

More trains to take in the future!

MIPRC & member state DOTs file comments on FRA's long-distance service study The Congressionally mandated Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Long-Distance Service Study offers myriad opportunities to strengthen the Midwest’s, as well as the nation’s, passenger rail network, from expanding existing services to restoring routes Amtrak inherited but discontinued, the Mid...

Learn about Amtrak operations centers.

An exclusive behind-the-scenes look at a few of the most important Amtrak operations centers - The Points Guy Amtrak has several major facilities core to its operations on the Northeast Corridor. TPG got a look at a few of the operations centers and the training facility to see how Amtrak keeps its trains moving.

https://youtu.be/sIPmGooGtuY

CrossRail Chicago: Making High Speed Rail in America Possible CrossRail Chicago is a practical and affordable way to build the essential core of our nation’s railroad network. It will upgrade and connect several existin...

Governor J.B. Pritzker of Illinois today took an important step for our whole country. | High Speed Rail Alliance Governor J.B. Pritzker of Illinois today took an important step for our whole country. Next, we need Congress to step up—take action now!

http://www.marp.org/?p=7802

August 5: In Person Membership Meeting NOON – 2:00 PMCrossroads Village / Huckleberry Railroad 6140 Bray Road, Flint MI 48505 Make plans now to attend the August 05 MARP membership meeting taking place at Crossroads Village in Flint. The meeting will take place from Noon to 2:00 pm, giving members an opportunity to tour the Village

https://www.mlive.com/politics/2023/07/michigan-to-boost-high-speed-passenger-rail-with-20m-program.html

Michigan to boost high-speed passenger rail with $20M program Local governments will be able to invest in high-speed rail services thanks to a grant program approved by state lawmakers.

Nat Read boarded the Amtrak 681 Downeaster train at North Station Friday morning, a small suitcase in tow. This wasn’t just any trip; it marked the completion of the train enthusiast’s decades-long quest to travel all 21,400 miles of the entire Amtrak railroad.⁠ ⁠ Read, 84, boarded the 8:50 a.m. train to Brunswick, Maine, arriving at about 12:15 p.m. and completing the final leg of his tour — or, as he put it, “the last thread of passenger rail on Amtrak’s spiderweb map.”⁠ ⁠ Once Read arrived in Brunswick, he said the train staff made an announcement over the speaker.⁠ ⁠ “I feel fulfilled, this has been over 80 years it’s taken me, and to be in Brunswick after all of this, it’s an elated feeling,” Read said from Maine on Friday. “It was a day I will remember forever.”⁠ ⁠ Click on the link in our bio to read more about Read and his railroad memories.⁠ ⁠ ✍️: Vivi Smilgius and Maggie Scales⁠ 📸: Vincent Alban for The Boston Globe

Please take action to protect passenger rail funding!

Tell Congress: Fully fund passenger rail with $7 billion The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law authorized investing nearly $7 billion in passenger rail in 2024's federal budget. Tell Congress now to approve this full amount.

The current Amtrak Board is not representative of all Amtrak passengers. Please take action to fix this.

Demand a Better Amtrak Board! Rail Passengers Association has made securing a voice for passengers in the Midwest, West, and the South a key plank of our advocacy over the past few years, including as part of this year's advocacy push during RailNation:DC.Thanks in part to our...

School is out and the summer flash sale is here! Kids 2-12 can ride free with the purchase of at least one adult ticket!

Book now: http://spr.ly/6187ONjrP