Detroit & Michigan: Go-Town Transportation Lowdown

[DetroitMan]

SMART plans to create an express shuttle from downtown Detroit to DTW airport

“No stops along the way, straight to the airport," Lloyd said. "That is what we are leaning towards."

Planning still needs to be done for the transit line but the city hopes to have the bus up and running by either late 2023 or early 2024.

The route is being made possible through a $2 million grant under the infrastructure law.

https://www.wxyz.com/news/city-plans...to-dtw-airport

[seabee1526]

Originally Posted by DetroitMan

SMART plans to create an express shuttle from downtown Detroit to DTW airport

https://www.wxyz.com/news/city-plans...to-dtw-airport

Needs to be from Royal Oak and Novi not Detroit.

[seabee1526]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kr4EZwZbxwQ

Can this be the transit solution for Detroit?

[Velvet_Highground]

Some good news coming out of Lansing on upgrading the state rail network.

-Federal grant money is funding improvements along Michigan passenger rail lines

-Michigan Senate proposed $100 million for new state rail grants

-Eventually, advocates studying new passenger routes to Traverse City and Canada

Michigan may spend big on passenger trains, eying service to Canada, Up North

May 24, 2023
Bridge Michigan
Lauren Gibbons



….

Federal officials in recent years have made billions of dollars in grant money available for passenger rail, and Michigan has received nearly $85 million from 2018 to 2022.

A northern Michigan passenger rail group in 2022 also received $2.3 million in state and federal funding to research a new route connecting metro Detroit to northern Michigan cities including Traverse City and Petoskey, while the state is pursuing money to extend rails to Canada.

Some Michigan Democrats, now in the legislative majority, also want to chip in on passenger rail improvements. The state Senate budget proposal included $100 million for grants to "encourage high-speed rail development" by providing matching funds that local governments need to qualify for federal money.

"I'd like to see us modernize our mass transit the way a lot of other states have," said Sen. Veronica Klinefelt, an Eastpointe Democrat who chairs the transportation budget subcommittee.

….

Annual statistics on Michigan’s three passenger train routes — which run from Chicago to Detroit and Pontiac (Wolverine service), Chicago to Port Huron (Blue Water) and Chicago to Grand Rapids (Pere Marquette) — over the last 30 years show the state’s ridership peaked at roughly 795,996 passengers in 2013 and generally hovered above 700,000 passengers per year until the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2022, 623,989 passengers rode trains in Michigan, up from 2021 but still below pre-pandemic levels.

Michigan has challenges for long-distance trains, namely that it is a peninsula and not a pass-through state. But the state is poised to capitalize on increased rail investments along with other Midwest states seeking federal grant money, said Laura Kliewer, director of the Illinois-based Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission.

“There's a lot of new possibilities out there,” Kliewer said, noting that faster and more frequent trains running on Michigan’s existing lines would go a long way toward increased ridership.

The ideal scenario for Michigan train riders would be a more interconnected, streamlined Midwest rail network and increased frequency of train departures, so riders don’t have to arrange their day around a train schedule, she added.

….

The Michigan Transportation Department has eight active federal grants open along the state’s three passenger rail routes, including projects to replace railroad ties and bridges, prevent trespassing on train tracks, even out curves to allow trains to run up to 110 mph and fix Detroit’s New Center station.

The Office of Rail has also submitted federal applications for competitive grants to improve and increase service on all three existing routes, as well as a possible extension of the Detroit line into Canada.

….

The 2018 feasibility study the center conducted on the plan estimated a high-speed passenger rail line connecting Ann Arbor and Traverse City could generate more than $100 million in revenue by 2050.

How much the project would cost largely depends on how fast the trains go — 60 mph trains running for a 4.5-hour trip would cost about $40 million in track repairs, while a 110 mph service that cuts the trip to 3.5 hours would require replacing tracks and cost upwards of $1 billion, the study concluded.

….

https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-go...e-canada-north

[Velvet_Highground]

There’s movement on the Ohio side of things for a Cleveland, Toledo Detroit passenger rail corridor. Inter-state cooperation makes things a bit more difficult and Ohio isn’t even at the study stage yet but it’s still a positive development.

After the closure of Michigan Central Depot the Great Lakes and greater Midwest rail network had been altered to revolve around Chicago as the central hub. With Michigan being a peninsula with its only connection options to Canada in the LP the rail set up makes intra-state commuting by rail circuitous and unreasonable.

If the rail projects end up being perused SE Michigan would regain its status as a hub instead as its set up now the end of an out of the way spoke. It would be interesting to see what changes that could bring to Metro area expanding / upgrading mass transit or adding in additional regional commuter rail services.

16 million people visit Michigan annually and 3/4 spend at least one night in the Detroit area if rail travel becomes more popular then perhaps opening a eastside line picking up from New Center with a local stop in Mt Clemens and continuing on to the beach at Port Huron could be an additional attractive amenity. The only high quality Great Lakes beach experience in the region is in Port Huron and neighboring Lakeport State Park it’s close enough for a day trip by rail if the old eastside line was reopened for passenger service.

Ohio Taking First Step in Expanding Passenger Rail

February 08, 2023
Rail.Ohio.gov

Governor Mike DeWine has directed the Ohio Rail Development Commission to apply for the first phase of funding to study expanding passenger rail service in Ohio. The Federal Railroad Administration’s Corridor Identification and Development program would assist the state in assessing potential intercity passenger rail corridors.

“This is the first step of many in this process. We have a lot of questions that need to be answered before we make any commitments,” said DeWine. “The information we gather from this effort will help us make informed decisions about federal opportunities for passenger rail in Ohio.”

The state has identified two corridors to advance for consideration: Cleveland-Columbus-Dayton-Cincinnati and Cleveland-Toledo-Detroit.

If the application is successful, the Federal Railroad Administration would provide $500,000 per corridor. These funds would allow Ohio to bring in a consultant to prepare a scope of work for a Service Development Plan. This would be a comprehensive plan that includes information about the track improvements, equipment, stations and other facilities, operating costs, ridership, and required state subsidy that are needed to start service.

https://rail.ohio.gov/about-ordc/new...passenger-rail

[subterranean]

Ann Arbor to Traverse City Rail is one step closer

As we roll into another Memorial Day Weekend, Bridge Magazine shares that Northern Michigan is one step closer to adding another means of travel – passenger rail: Federal officials in recent years have made billions of dollars in grant money available for passenger rail, and Michigan has received nearly $85 million from 2018 to 2022.

Source: https://leelanau.com/ann-arbor-to-tr...e-step-closer/

[seabee1526]

I’d like to see the National Theatre moved to the corner of Woodward and Cadillac Square and use it as a line connector station for Q Line heading north, C Line heading down Michigan Ave and H Line running over and looping at Huntington Place.

The only way to make people stop thinking of it as a joke is to expand and make it useful.

[seabee1526]

Has anyone drawn up the best route for rail from the city to DTW?

[DetroitMan]

MLive had a great article on the proposed automated lane project along I-94 today. The project will stretch from Ann Arbor-Saline Rd to the Lodge Freeway using the existing far left lane. The lane would have barriers set up to separate it from the existing lanes and entry points would be designated. If a future phase as automated cars become more common, a lane would be built exclusively for them using private funds.

I-94 could host self-driving vehicle lanes between Ann Arbor and Detroit. Here’s how to learn more

When fully complete, it would stretch from Ann Arbor-Saline Road in Ann Arbor to M-10, the Lodge Freeway, in Detroit, officials said.

MDOT previously announced open houses in the Ann Arbor area in March for the project but then postponed them, saying officials and Cavnue needed “further alignment” on an environmental study necessary for the project before presenting it to the public. The Belleville event is meant to discuss the environmental study, and more meetings are anticipated at different points along the proposed corridor in Wayne and Washtenaw counties in 2023, MDOT officials said.

The Ann Arbor meetings haven’t yet been rescheduled, though MDOT anticipates hosting an open house in Washtenaw County sometime this year, spokesperson Rob Morosi said in an email.

Officials have said the project would involve designated I-94 lanes with equipment for autonomous vehicles and smart technology, including sensors to detect traffic, weather and road conditions, while allowing driverless vehicles to communicate with each other.

“At its core, the project is designed to be ‘future-proofed’ and evolve to meet transportation goals, beginning with connected buses and shared mobility vehicles such as vans and shuttles, and expanding to additional types of (connected and automated vehicles) such as freight and personal vehicles,” reads a project description on MDOT’s website. The lanes will likely be physically separated from the rest of the highway, accessible only at certain points. At the start of the project, all vehicles will be able to use them, but as self-driving vehicles become more common and their usage exceeds a certain threshold, the lanes may be restricted to only the high-tech vehicles, according to a question and answer page for the project.

Construction will bring improved pavement and updated striping on the far-left lane of I-94 in both directions, as well as new poles to support camera and sensor equipment installed along the median and new signs to identify lane entrances and exits, according to MDOT.

The building of the specialized lanes is expected to be privately funded, the agency says. They would be built in three phases, with the first stretching from U.S. 23 in the west to Oakwood Boulevard in the east.

https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor...earn-more.html

[Velvet_Highground]

It’s good to see this project go forward. There’s the benefits to the auto industry by providing another innovative piece of infrastructure helping to keep the city, state & region at the center of autonomous mobility development. In the longer term there’s benefits for commuters as well helping foster high tech R&D + manufacturing in the A2 to Detroit corridor, a long time regional goal.

[DetroitMan]

SMART Bus expands services in Oakland County, new routes for use

SMART is expanding its bus services in Oakland County, adding over 60 new routes and stops − a move that broadens the reach of public transportation in metro Detroit following years of political gridlock over the bus system.

The current expansion marks a change for public transit in the region. In recent years, political opposition has limited the reach of this public transportation system across Oakland County.

The county previously operated under a fragmented system, with individual cities deciding whether to participate in the bus system. Auburn Hills City Council voted to leave the bus service in 2022, before a judge ruled against the city.

SMART bus also decided to close a stop in Pontiac last year, before quickly reversing the decision following public pushback. Attitudes toward the bus service in Oakland County began to shift in the November 2022 election, as county voters passed a transit millage for the first time. According to a news release, the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation has added 68 bus stops in cities such as Novi, Wixom and Bloomfield Hills.

Dwight Ferrell, general manager for SMART, said he’s excited about the expansions as they are long overdue.

"We are thrilled to kick off this round of expansions in Oakland County. It's a momentous occasion as we bring transit service to communities that have been underserved for far too long,” said Ferrell. “Our commitment to improving mobility options in the region is unwavering, and we are proud to get these buses on the road."

https://www.freep.com/story/news/loc...d/70825926007/

[deja vu]

Good. It's long overdue.

[DetroitMan]

Detroit's QLine ridership increased 62% year over year

Ridership on Detroit's Woodward Avenue streetcar system increased 62% year over year during an eight-month period.

In its annual report released Thursday, QLine leadership attributed the increase, in part, to improved service as it works toward its goal of having riders wait no more than 15 minutes for a stop. The report says streetcars are arriving within 15 minutes or less for 71% of trips, compared to 66% last year.

The M-1 Rail nonprofit running the 6.6-mile loop between Congress Street downtown and West Grand Boulevard in the New Center area said an average of 2,629 people rode the QLine per day this year between January and August; it was 1,608 last year.

Total ridership during that period was 644,187 compared to 397,265 last year.

The report says that 75% of riders are people of color and 68% are Detroit residents.

Last year, the state Legislature extended a $5 million annual QLine subsidy through the 2038-39 fiscal year. The system has received that allotment since the 2019-20 fiscal year.

https://www.crainsdetroit.com/transp...-past-8-months

[ssiguy]

Good to see the ridership increase but 2,600/day is still pretty paltry but hardly surprising considering how poor the service is. The minimum it should be running at is every 10 minutes all day and preferably more like every 5 minutes.

[DetroitMan]

Turkish Airlines to launch flights from Detroit Metro Airport

Beginning Nov. 15, Turkish Airlines will offer three flights per week from Detroit to Istanbul on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays using the airline's Boeing 787-9 aircraft. The airline will add an additional flight on Saturdays beginning Dec 25.

DTW is the airline's 13th U.S. gateway and it plans to open another in Denver this year. Within the U.S., the airline flies to Atlanta, Washington, D.C., New York, Newark, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Miami, Boston, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Seattle.

The airline has ambitious growth plans to drive U.S. tourism to Turkey, with an annual goal of 2 million visitors per year. Turkish Airlines flies to more than 340 destinations in 129 countries across five continents. The Istanbul Airport is positioned to connect to more than 80 destinations within a three-hour flight, according to a news release. "It's exciting to open another gateway in the Midwest region, connecting travelers from neighboring areas through the bustling hub of Detroit," Ahmet Bolat, chairman of Turkish Airlines and the executive committee, said in the release. "This is a significant opening in our expansion plans for North America as we continue our mission of connecting more people and more destinations through our robust global route network. As flights from Detroit Metropolitan Airport take off this fall, we warmly welcome travelers to explore Istanbul and beyond."

Turkish Airlines boasts business class service with modern full-flat seats, entertainment systems, Ferragamo amenity kits and a new menu of gourmet dishes.

https://www.crainsdetroit.com/transp...-metro-airport

[electricron]

Originally Posted by ssiguy

Good to see the ridership increase but 2,600/day is still pretty paltry but hardly surprising considering how poor the service is. The minimum it should be running at is every 10 minutes all day and preferably more like every 5 minutes.

Large ridership increases year to year coming out of a pandemic should be expected. What matters is how well the train does without having the data corrupted by a pandemic.

[DetroitMan]

Gilbert makes pitch for expanded mass transit in metro Detroit

Detroit billionaire Dan Gilbert wants to see the federal government fund expanded mass transit around Southeast Michigan.

Doing so could help further the efforts of Detroit and the broader region to attract talent, Gilbert said Thursday morning during an event at the Townsend Hotel in Birmingham hosted by the Detroit Free Press. To that end, the mostly privately funded, 6-year-old QLine streetcar that runs along Woodward Avenue could serve as an example that a wide array of parties can work together in the region to get things done.

“The more groups that get behind doing a regional system would (increase) the chances of the feds funding it,” Gilbert said during the sold-out event. “And just think about how great that would be if you have lines going to (Detroit) Metro Airport, up Woodward all the way to Pontiac and then going west and going east. It would be unreal. It would be a different city.”

Ridership on the QLine — a 6.6-mile loop between Congress Street downtown and West Grand Boulevard in the New Center area — has been increasing, growing 62% year-over-year, as Crain’s reported in September.

Critics have long contended that the streetcar fails to provide the necessary mass transit viewed as needed throughout the region, and something that sets metro Detroit apart from other major metros in the U.S. with unified systems. While the various transportation systems in Southeast Michigan have been growing and adding service in recent months, the region remains far from having a unified transit infrastructure.

But doing so is critical, according to Gilbert, the founder and chairman of Detroit-based Rocket Companies Inc. (NYSE: RKT), the umbrella company for Rocket Mortgage and a host of other consumer finance and real estate companies. Gilbert was blunt in his analysis Thursday that expanded transit service was just one of many items needed for the city of Detroit and the broader region to attract talented workers.

The millennial and younger generations “brag” about not having to own a car, Gilbert contended, and ensuring they can do so here is necessary for the region’s economic development effort.

“We've got to be in the game,” Gilbert said. “We weren't in the game for decades — we lost decades. You guys probably all have children or brothers or sisters or relatives that moved to different cities. I think it's become a badge of honor for some parents to brag that their kid is in New York or Chicago. We’ve got to change that.”

Conditions to attract workers from elsewhere while also keeping some of the young people who grow up in the state have improved, the businessman argued. He largely pointed to many of his own efforts through his real estate company Bedrock LLC to reinvigorate downtown Detroit.

https://www.crainsdetroit.com/transp...d-mass-transit

[Velvet_Highground]

Please for the love of god make it happen! The timing would be good for another public - private partnership with the federal administration pushing to expand transit I’m cautiously optimistic that we may see something interesting come of this. That Michigan Central seems to be a rail station on the maps now for the new Amtrak line lends credence to a Michigan Ave line being in the planning stages.

[seabee1526]

https://www.crainsdetroit.com/transp...article3-image

Revised Amtrak vision. Det - Clev, DTW link

[DetroitMan]

RTA weighing proposal for QLINE control

The Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan is weighing a takeover of the QLINE.
The move, should it be approved, would mean a transfer of the 3.3-mile Detroit streetcar system from the nonprofit M-1 Rail to a public 10-member board, with appointed representatives from Macomb, Oakland, Wayne and Washtenaw counties as well as the city of Detroit and the state of Michigan, although the governor’s representative does not vote.

Dave Massaron, chair of the RTA board, said in a news release Thursday that “this transition will help ensure the QLINE remains as a transit option for the community and the city of Detroit long into the future.” He noted that the RTA’s role is “to ensure the ongoing viability of regional transit services.”

M-1 Rail President Lisa Nuszkowski said in a separate release that the rail line is “an asset that was always envisioned as one piece of a larger, connected regional transit system” and that “now is the time to make this transition. Performance has never been better. Ridership is approaching 1 million for the year, and the system’s finances are sustainable over the long-term.” The two entities, according to one release, have “initiated a collaborative due diligence process focused on all financial and operational elements of the transfer. Through this process, the RTA intends to validate M-1 RAIL’s budget and confirm that a transfer to the organization will come with a balanced budget which will impose no additional burden on the region’s taxpayers.”

A decision is expected early next year, although it’s not clear how quickly the transfer could happen.

https://www.freep.com/story/news/loc...l/71924756007/