85 replies to this topic

[Gangway1111]

Looks like detroit is thinking about setting some transit lines in the city
   "DDOT seeking public input on 3 rapid transit lines"
   http://www.modeldmed...dtogs10307.aspx


Meanwhile the AA to Detroit Commuter line is facing some "logistics" problems. At least they are still working on it
   "SEMCOG working with railroads to establish Detroit-Ann Arbor commuter rail line"
   http://www.metromode...SEMCOG0029.aspx

Could this be the start of rebuilding mass transit in Metro-Detroit? Only time will tell.

[Jasoncw]

Yeah, a general mass transit thread is good.

I'd be very happy with some light rail.  I'd also be happy with general bus reform, since it's pretty cracked out from what I understand.

I've heard that Detroit's bus ridership is actually pretty good, and that Detroit also pays a comparable amount of money for transit as other cities with better systems.  I hope that transit in general here can be untangled.

[CGunn]

Did anyone attend one of the meetings?

[Gangway1111]

The AA to Detroit Line is planned to be up and running by the end of the year. It should also make stops at Metro Airport, Dearborn, and Ypsilanti.
In the future (hopefully next year) it will also make stops in Royal Oak (my home town) Troy/Birmingham, and Pontiac.

If they really do all that, then who knows, there might be a chance of getting MCS up and running again someday.

[tracer1138]

There's a major logistical problem with having the Detroit to Ann Arbor line make stops at Metro Airport that people seem to keep forgeting.  The line that runs from the Ann Arbor Station to downtown Detroit is a different line than the one that runs from downtown Detroit past metro airport.  I think the two lines are about a mile appart where the one goes past metro airport and they only meet going inbound the other side of Dearborn.  To have a continuous line would require the construction of new track near I-275 connecting the two lines which is a logistical and financial nightmare given the scope and psychological barries already facing the project.  Right now, it looks they're have to create a stop a mile north of METRO on the line from Detroit to Ann Arbor and create a continuous bus service between that stop and the two terminals which slightly decreases its convenience.

I'm not saying the more expensive alternatve isn't possible or isn't even better, it's just that given the difficulties ahead of getting this off the ground I doubt the region will go for it.

Edited by tracer1138, 02 August 2007 - 12:03 PM.

[tapezord]

CGunn, on Aug 2 2007, 12:03 PM, said:

Did anyone attend one of the meetings?

i attended the dearborn meeting.  I will elaborate more if I have time later this evening.  


I have some thoughts that suppliment your ideas tracer, I posted them a while ago on this forum when the metro airport people move was proposed.  I will try to post these later this evening.

[Gangway1111]

The idea was always to add shuttle service to the commuter train stop at metro airport, so that shouldn't be a problem.

[Mojo]

CGunn, on Aug 2 2007, 12:03 PM, said:

Did anyone attend one of the meetings?

http://127.0.0.1/for...185913746913746[/url]

Edited by Mojo, 02 August 2007 - 09:53 PM.

[hudkina]

The Wayne County Airport Authority is hoping to build a tram system that runs from the McNamara Terminal to the new terminal and on to Merriman Rd where all of the hotels are.  They are looking to connect the terminals to a large rental car center somewhere north of I-94 near all of the hotels.  They want to build the system so that any future commuter rail along the tracks north of the airport would connect it.  In total the length of the tram line would be about 4 miles, so I'm sure that they could easily extend it the additional 2 miles to the AA-Detroit line.

[CGunn]

Mojo, on Aug 2 2007, 11:52 PM, said:

http://127.0.0.1/for...185913746913746[/url]

link doesn't work.

[TheDetroitCity99]

Im confused here some people are talking about trains and tram and some are talking about busses please specify which you're talking about.

Whats the AA-Detroit line? A Bus or a Train route.

[Gangway1111]

TheDetroitCity99, on Aug 5 2007, 04:50 PM, said:

Im confused here some people are talking about trains and tram and some are talking about busses please specify which you're talking about.

Whats the AA-Detroit line? A Bus or a Train route.

It is a commuter train line that will connect Anarbo, Ypsilanti, Metro Airport, Dearborn, and Detroit that should be up and running by the end of the year, if all goes as planned.

Nice to see this thread still has people interested.

Edited by Gangway1111, 05 August 2007 - 03:35 PM.

[rbdetsport]

The reason why busses and monorails are coming up is because we are discussing the connection to the AA-Detroit Commuter Rail Line from Metro Airport

[CGunn]

Will they be using exsitinig rail lines, or construct a new line?

[hudkina]

They are probably going to use the existing rail.  Constructing new rail would be way too expensive.

[TheDetroitCity99]

REALLY?!?!Mass transit in Detroit?!!?!? I havent heard about this!You said its going to be complete by the end of th year?I had NO Idea!! Thats amazing will it be similar to the Metra in Chicago or the L??!!?!?

Edited by TheDetroitCity99, 12 August 2007 - 04:05 PM.

[tapezord]

"Wally" the howell to ann arbor train will be a commuter service.  Funny you should mention Metra, the great lakes central railroad bought about 50 of Metra's old bi-level commuter cars and will be using these for their service.  They were a steal too, I think they were $1 per car.

[TheDetroitCity99]

Haha that's really cool.Iv'e just been on you tube clearing our rep.(at least trying to) And I think it's helping.I have also been busy talking to a couple investors and they Seem interested in the "Return" of Detroit.Lets just say A few more projects will be going up around corktown.So what about Commuter to the City?Is there any plans for that?

[tapezord]

yes. there is a plan to link ann arbor to detroit via a commuter rail service.  The problem with this project is that a:  SEMCOG is doing it and b:  there are 4 railroads that require negotiations to get this moving (norfolk southern, canadian national and csx...  amtrak also owns a segment of track along the route, but they obviously aren't causing problems as they would be running the service.)

There was initial talk that we could see the route in place by this year, but I assure you that this will not happen.

[TheDetroitCity99]

Oh well thats good news that we're making progress!