It’s no suprise that commuter rail in michigan is messy, if not nonexistent. But 2 new services are planned, one for detroit-ann arbor, the other for ann arbor-howell. However, these services are disconnected from the state owned commuter agency, the Suburban Mobility for Regional Transit, better known as SMART. I think smart should stand for Southeastern Michigan Area Regional Transport, but back on topic. In my opinion, MiTRAIN and WALLY shpuld be merged into a new SMART commuter rail. Niw i may make a data sheet for it later.
One of the only railfans who gives a crap about the MMA, despite not living IN the northeast.
The Howell service I believe was pushed as an alternative during reconstruction of parallel US Route 23. However, judging from what I see by ocassionally driving that route, the reconstruction is done. MDOT had some Metra bi-levels refurbished for the Ann Arbor service, paid to store them for about 5 years, and then told the owner they would not pay storage any more. Google Earth image of Yuma, MI, shows them still sitting there at the wrong end of ex-AA track. As I recall, suburban voters turned down a SMART milage.
What do you mean by turning down a smart milage? And if SEMCOG is going to be discontinued, well, that would suck.
ThamasTehTrainWhat do you mean by turning down a smart milage?
I think he means 'SMART millage', meaning the addition of some number of tenths of a cent (aka "mills", one thousandth of a dollar) to the tax rate to help pay for the service.
ThamasTehTrain What do you mean by turning down a smart milage? And if SEMCOG is going to be discontinued, well, that would suck.
I may have mixed up SMART with RTA. I just remember a recent Detroit Free Press article that said the failure of some milage had put a hold on Rail/BRT proposals.
Michigan resident here. From all appearances WALLY and MI-TRAIN are dead in the water. Nothing new to report for years now, and as much of a fantasy as the Ann Arbor- Traverse City train.
Yet again, now this new 110 MPH Higher speed route between detroit and toledo is planned. I wonder what stock it would use.
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