Leaders discuss bringing light-rail to Lansing area

[RustTown]

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:

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.

[RustTown]

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

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.