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[Lmichigan]

To preface, and to be frank, this is just the very beginning of a long process, but this is the first time I can remember that a regional body has ever discussed studying light rail for the area.  Up until now, it'd always been CATA or the Lansing mayor that had hinted at trying to make this work:

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Leaders discussion bringing light-rail to Lansing area

Lansing's electric streetcars once spanned the city and beyond in the early part of the 20th century, connecting it with St. Johns and Mason.

That romance with rail died in the 1930s with the rise of automobiles and quieter gas-powered buses, but tri-county leaders once again are contemplating whether they should seek funding for a new light-rail system to put the Lansing area back on track.

The East Lansing City Manager Ted Stanton makes clear that any money from this current stimulus package for a study isn't realistic, but there at least seems to be some preliminary consensus that perhaps the region could apply for money out of this years transit bill so that the region could conduct a study.

Currently, the most heavily-ridden bus line in Lansing is Route #1 (Michigan Avenue & Grand River Avenue) with a weekday average ridership of only 6,500 (but growing).  So, perhaps, only a streetcar will be found to be feasible, but I like that the region is addressing this, at all.

With CATA having the second-highest ridership of any system in the state, this isn't as ridiculous as it may sound on the surface.

[Lmichigan]

MSU's State News did a story on this a week or so later, from their city's perspective:

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Cities study possible transport through East Lansing

By Jeff Kanan
The State News
Published: March 4, 2009

The cars and buses that streak down Grand River Avenue could have company in the form of another mode of travel if an ongoing study into a light rail connecting East Lansing to neighboring cities stays on track.

East Lansing and other area officials are conducting an analysis of whether adding a light rail that connects cities near Lansing would be feasible.

I'm glad to see so many municipalities in our urban area even considering this.  Please go to the story and check out the audio of East Lansing City Manager Ted Staton discussing this.

Edited by Lmichigan, 15 March 2009 - 04:56 PM.