seeing how there is no more news on this IM going to say this project has been cancelled here it is the middle of august and nothing more has been said. stupid other states are expanding there rails we can't even get this stupid thing up and running
This stupid project is taking forever to get up a running stupid government why can't they see that rail is better then building 12 lane freeways and adding the rush hour congestion. Not all of us have the luxury of a private jet.
i really hope this project follows through..as well as the woodward light rail project. despite all the crime and stuff in and around detroit, ive been going there almost monthly and it truly is a beautiful city with so much potential. please..for the community make this happen! thank you so much!
@tyu3456 I don't think they know when it will be up and running but if the state purchases the line from Dearborn to Kalamazoo then service could start soon after,
@lexmarks567 The whole train system is refurbished GO transit trains, which is fine with me, I love GO transit trains, I just wish they weren't so pricey, I pay over $300 for a monthly pass from Hamilton to Union on GO transit.... Just a heads up for Ann Arbor, once this is operational expect a huge growth spike, when this sort of service was added to Hamilton it's population almost doubled (despite the old signs still being up) in a few years. The region around it now is 1 million people.
lexmarks and harvey: Check semcog.org for updates on this project. Initially, the expected funding did not come through so no, it will not be running this month. However, some government funding has since been obtained, so things move onward, but not at the initial schedule.
After having read about these sorts of things at length in Trans magazine, I have come to wonder how much they plan to interfere with freight operations in order to get this running? It seems to me, if they really want this service, they'd expand the existing right-of-way to minimize their impact on freight services. This would require adding extra tracks to the line.
Perhaps they'll do that for the Pierre Marquette, and extend it to Detroit. This would also increase train speeds.
I'm really interested in these mass transit projects. As a Wayne Student, I find it silly to jump in a car to go to Fairlane Mall or to Ann Arbor and paying for gas and parking is such a hassle. I hope that this can bring money and more business to the Detroit because if that thrives, everything should follow. Good luck, Detroit!
Thank you for your support of the project. The initial Dearborn stop will be located at the existing Amtrak station near the performing arts center. Once the new station has been built, there will be a public entrance from Michigan Ave.
The initial focus on commuters may make practical sense, but it differs substantially from how this project is being sold.. Having a couple runs during commuter hours has little relevance to sports/theater/museum travelers, airport travelers, hospital travelers, or workers with non-standard hours. Those other groups need more frequent, more flexible travel options. I fear we're focusing too much on costly rail when modern busses are far more practical.
The project is being sold as a "demonstration" project to establish higher level transit ridership in the region. In addition to the basic commuter service, the project team is seeking to utilize the train to serve specific events that occur in the corridor. The team is working with the Detroit Visitors and Convention Bureau to determine which events would best accommodate rail transit between Ann Arbor and Detroit.
Please take this response as a positive suggestion: Could you all consider turning the advertising side of the Cadillac-Tower in Downtown Detroit to a Midwest-version of Times-Square!! Believe it or not that could bring alot of businesses downtown as all businesses loves advertisement. Just imagine the huge jumbo-tron TV's on that side of the building, that would be a tourist-attraction in itself....
While busses may be more flexible in terms of scheduling, they're prone to the exact same problems as regular car traffic: jams, accidents, road construction, and so on.
Rail travel can suffer from delays as well (anybody who's ridden on the Michigan portion of Amtrak's lines can testify to that), but increased infrastructure work-- a long-term goal of this project-- can deal with a good portion of that, rail in general suffers from much lower accident rates than auto travel.
So the Metro Airport station will actually be near Michigan Ave and you'll have to run a 10 minute bus to the airport down Merriman Road or something?
No, there will not be a demonstration train running this fall. We're working on procuring vehicles and have contracted with Great Lakes Central Railroad to lease/refurbish the rail cars. The first set is expected to be delivered in early 2010 with the remainder being delivered by the end of the year for both Ann Arbor to Detroit and the WALLY commuter rail services. The process for procuring rail cars is underway for delivery by July 2010. The initial service should be operating by October 2010.
SEMCOG agrees that night service would be great, but first, ridership must be established through this demonstration project. The primary purpose is to serve commuters in the am and pm peak travel periods and once ridership is established, the argument for increased frequencies can be made.
Why can't the rail line run near the Michigan Central Depot? The old building needs to be renovated. This goal needs the impetus that would be provided by a rail line actually running to the area. I can't imagine that a temporary station near the MCD site could not be established while a renovation plan is worked out for the building.
Holy crap, I didn't know this project was anywhere near completion; this is great!
2 questions since someone is being kind enough to answer here:
1) Is the wifi going to be free or one of those paid services?
2) When you say it's bike accessible, does that mean I could ride my bike to a station, take it onboard with me, and then bike to my final destination?
Currently, the estimated trip time from Ypsilanti to Detroit is approximately 50 minutes, overall trip time is about one hour and five minutes (this time includes station dwell times of two minutes per station). Negotiations with the host railroad are in progress and the overall estimate could be reduced by approximately 10 minutes. Initial service will consist of four round trips per day. Two in the morning and two in the evening. Schedules and actual service times have not yet been confirmed.
Do you know what railroad will be used? Amtrak ,metrolink? I think they need to put a station in west dearborn also. Thats were I railfan. Will they need to make the track double track and triple track at the henry ford (CP MORT)?
The proposed service will cover the current Amtrak Wolverine line that services Pontiac-Detroit-Chicago. To keep project costs down, the planners are making use of existing stations. The Dearborn station will have feeder service to West & East Dearborn. Negotiations are still underway to determine the capital improvements needed to operate the passenger service safely with existing freight operations. However, we don't anticipate the need to add capacity (double track) the majority of the route.
The opening day that the project team is working toward is October 2010. This date has been mandated by Governor Granholm and activities are being carried out by the Michigan Department of Transportation and the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments to ensure that this goal is met.
well don't stop there should go a little deeper into the suburbs so i don't have to take the car to the airport..
desalvo66 4 months ago
seeing how there is no more news on this IM going to say this project has been cancelled here it is the middle of august and nothing more has been said. stupid other states are expanding there rails we can't even get this stupid thing up and running
lexmarks567 6 months ago
The last update was april and here it is going on july any update? will this thing be running this year.
lexmarks567 8 months ago
Any updates?
IrishInColumbus 1 year ago
This stupid project is taking forever to get up a running stupid government why can't they see that rail is better then building 12 lane freeways and adding the rush hour congestion. Not all of us have the luxury of a private jet.
lexmarks567 1 year ago
i really hope this project follows through..as well as the woodward light rail project. despite all the crime and stuff in and around detroit, ive been going there almost monthly and it truly is a beautiful city with so much potential. please..for the community make this happen! thank you so much!
stevefisher123 1 year ago
@tyu3456 I don't think they know when it will be up and running but if the state purchases the line from Dearborn to Kalamazoo then service could start soon after,
DmityandEmmaandSasha 1 year ago
any updates on when this will be up and running? there's no mention of it yet on the website
tyu3456 1 year ago
no november updates yet
lexmarks567 1 year ago
well i know for a fact that the locomotives are EX go transit F59PH locomotives and they have 5 digit numbers.
lexmarks567 1 year ago
@lexmarks567 The whole train system is refurbished GO transit trains, which is fine with me, I love GO transit trains, I just wish they weren't so pricey, I pay over $300 for a monthly pass from Hamilton to Union on GO transit.... Just a heads up for Ann Arbor, once this is operational expect a huge growth spike, when this sort of service was added to Hamilton it's population almost doubled (despite the old signs still being up) in a few years. The region around it now is 1 million people.
cynicalbluewhale 10 months ago
lexmarks and harvey: Check semcog.org for updates on this project. Initially, the expected funding did not come through so no, it will not be running this month. However, some government funding has since been obtained, so things move onward, but not at the initial schedule.
somedanguy 1 year ago
I read that this project was cancelled due to lack of funding yet railcars are still being refurbished.
lexmarks567 1 year ago
@lexmarks567 Delayed, but not cancelled.
gibb1991 1 year ago
Is the start-up still on track for October, 2010?
harveyk400 1 year ago
After having read about these sorts of things at length in Trans magazine, I have come to wonder how much they plan to interfere with freight operations in order to get this running? It seems to me, if they really want this service, they'd expand the existing right-of-way to minimize their impact on freight services. This would require adding extra tracks to the line.
Perhaps they'll do that for the Pierre Marquette, and extend it to Detroit. This would also increase train speeds.
LeksServices 1 year ago
This video is too conformist and traditional with the music and voice.
Boring
womensman87 1 year ago
Are you going to be hiring any conductors or locomotive engineers? or will that be through the host railroad?
MichRRconductor 1 year ago
I'm really interested in these mass transit projects. As a Wayne Student, I find it silly to jump in a car to go to Fairlane Mall or to Ann Arbor and paying for gas and parking is such a hassle. I hope that this can bring money and more business to the Detroit because if that thrives, everything should follow. Good luck, Detroit!
MissyLKS8 1 year ago
It's about time!!!
DennisVernier 2 years ago
I'm really excited about this project and what it will do for my community here in West Dearborn!!
Will there be a public entrance to the Greenfield Villiage depot in West Dearborn? Or will we need to purchase a ticket to the museum?
brad3378 2 years ago
Thank you for your support of the project. The initial Dearborn stop will be located at the existing Amtrak station near the performing arts center. Once the new station has been built, there will be a public entrance from Michigan Ave.
semcog 2 years ago
The City of Dearborn has acquired the property from Ford on the north side of the Michigan Central @ Elm St. for the new West DBN station.
I'm hoping it was also service our bus and taxi services. The Kalamazoo and Battle Creek Amtrak stations also serviced as mass transit centers.
jrahrig 2 years ago
This is tremendously exciting. Congrats to SEMCOG on all of the hard work that went into this plan. I can't wait to see it come to Ypsilanti!
ypsidixit 2 years ago
The initial focus on commuters may make practical sense, but it differs substantially from how this project is being sold.. Having a couple runs during commuter hours has little relevance to sports/theater/museum travelers, airport travelers, hospital travelers, or workers with non-standard hours. Those other groups need more frequent, more flexible travel options. I fear we're focusing too much on costly rail when modern busses are far more practical.
Pleasanter1 2 years ago
The project is being sold as a "demonstration" project to establish higher level transit ridership in the region. In addition to the basic commuter service, the project team is seeking to utilize the train to serve specific events that occur in the corridor. The team is working with the Detroit Visitors and Convention Bureau to determine which events would best accommodate rail transit between Ann Arbor and Detroit.
semcog 2 years ago
Please take this response as a positive suggestion: Could you all consider turning the advertising side of the Cadillac-Tower in Downtown Detroit to a Midwest-version of Times-Square!! Believe it or not that could bring alot of businesses downtown as all businesses loves advertisement. Just imagine the huge jumbo-tron TV's on that side of the building, that would be a tourist-attraction in itself....
varner313 1 year ago
While busses may be more flexible in terms of scheduling, they're prone to the exact same problems as regular car traffic: jams, accidents, road construction, and so on.
Rail travel can suffer from delays as well (anybody who's ridden on the Michigan portion of Amtrak's lines can testify to that), but increased infrastructure work-- a long-term goal of this project-- can deal with a good portion of that, rail in general suffers from much lower accident rates than auto travel.
SheriffOfaloaf 2 years ago
any word on what model locomotive will be used. maybe those MP-36 or MP-40 locos by motive power.
lexmarks567 2 years ago
So the Metro Airport station will actually be near Michigan Ave and you'll have to run a 10 minute bus to the airport down Merriman Road or something?
macintologist04 2 years ago
Is their going a demonstration train running this fall?
nssd70m2 2 years ago
No, there will not be a demonstration train running this fall. We're working on procuring vehicles and have contracted with Great Lakes Central Railroad to lease/refurbish the rail cars. The first set is expected to be delivered in early 2010 with the remainder being delivered by the end of the year for both Ann Arbor to Detroit and the WALLY commuter rail services. The process for procuring rail cars is underway for delivery by July 2010. The initial service should be operating by October 2010.
semcog 2 years ago
@semcog
well here it is January and no service
lexmarks567 1 year ago
Any updates from recent meetings, SEMCOG?
Has the location for the airport stop been nailed down? (The proposed one seems an awfully long way away from the airport)
I'll be on board the first day I can!
somedanguy 2 years ago
SEMCOG agrees that night service would be great, but first, ridership must be established through this demonstration project. The primary purpose is to serve commuters in the am and pm peak travel periods and once ridership is established, the argument for increased frequencies can be made.
semcog 2 years ago
Why can't the rail line run near the Michigan Central Depot? The old building needs to be renovated. This goal needs the impetus that would be provided by a rail line actually running to the area. I can't imagine that a temporary station near the MCD site could not be established while a renovation plan is worked out for the building.
jersey1979 2 years ago
Holy crap, I didn't know this project was anywhere near completion; this is great!
2 questions since someone is being kind enough to answer here:
1) Is the wifi going to be free or one of those paid services?
2) When you say it's bike accessible, does that mean I could ride my bike to a station, take it onboard with me, and then bike to my final destination?
somedanguy 2 years ago
What is the estimated transit time from the station in Ypsi to the station in Detroit? How many trips estimated per day?
tpedroni 3 years ago
Currently, the estimated trip time from Ypsilanti to Detroit is approximately 50 minutes, overall trip time is about one hour and five minutes (this time includes station dwell times of two minutes per station). Negotiations with the host railroad are in progress and the overall estimate could be reduced by approximately 10 minutes. Initial service will consist of four round trips per day. Two in the morning and two in the evening. Schedules and actual service times have not yet been confirmed.
semcog 3 years ago
Do you know what railroad will be used? Amtrak ,metrolink? I think they need to put a station in west dearborn also. Thats were I railfan. Will they need to make the track double track and triple track at the henry ford (CP MORT)?
nssd70m2 3 years ago
The proposed service will cover the current Amtrak Wolverine line that services Pontiac-Detroit-Chicago. To keep project costs down, the planners are making use of existing stations. The Dearborn station will have feeder service to West & East Dearborn. Negotiations are still underway to determine the capital improvements needed to operate the passenger service safely with existing freight operations. However, we don't anticipate the need to add capacity (double track) the majority of the route.
semcog 3 years ago
The opening day that the project team is working toward is October 2010. This date has been mandated by Governor Granholm and activities are being carried out by the Michigan Department of Transportation and the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments to ensure that this goal is met.
semcog 3 years ago
when is this supposed to happen
313STREETS 3 years ago