Mayor: Dearborn Rail Project Still on The Track
Contrary to recent reports, Dearborn Mayor John B. O’Reilly, Jr., says the project to build a new Ann Arbor to Detroit commuter rail project has not been “indefinitely delayed.”
In a column in today’s edition of the Dearborn Press & Guide, O’Reilly says that while it is true that “due to insufficient project funding, a regular commuter service of four weekday and three weekend trains per day will not begin at the end of October 2010” it is moving along as part of a phased program.
Mayor John B. O'Reilly, Jr.
“The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) have been managing a complicated planning process on the Ann Arbor to Detroit line for several years due to Greater Detroit’s unproven record on passenger rail transit,” O’Reilly says in his column.
“A demonstration project for three years was conceived to determine if we could meet the requirements to eventually receive larger allocations of federal transit dollars through a program called “New Starts.”
“Thanks to our congressional delegation and our committed partners, more than $30 million has been raised toward beginning the service. This includes improving the rail lines, leasing locomotives, refurbishing commuter rail cars like those used in suburban Chicago, and improving the station infrastructure at five locations including Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Wayne/Westland (link to Metro Airport), Dearborn and Detroit.
“MDOT and SEMCOG have identified another $50 million needed to complete the commuter rail demonstration. So, it has to be a phased program that begins with special events, and grows to commuter service moving from four to eight to eventually fifteen trains per day.
“By building the service piece-by-piece the region will begin to see how rail transit can work as an alternative to private automobiles to meet some of our transportation needs. Studies and real life have proven that an auto only system is not a sustainable model for modern American cities.”
Mayor O’Reilly’s complete column in the Dearborn Press & Guide can be read by clicking HERE
May 12th, 2010 at 8:19 am
Does anyone know how much taxpayer money is involved in this?
May 12th, 2010 at 10:50 am
Before even one dollar is spent, I want someone to show me one system anywhere in this country that has been succesful. Study after study has shown that none of the systems can exist without ongoing taxpayer subsidies. Look at the People Mover. None of the projected usuage has ever happened. Why do the planners think people are going to go to Detroit? The subsidies will go on forever. This is the kind of spending that has to stop. If insanity is defined of doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results, this is insanity.
Diogenes
May 12th, 2010 at 10:54 am
Big Jack just another one of your phony promises, blowing up in your face, however we are getting used to it, because you will go down for what you are known for, and that is simply B.S.
May 12th, 2010 at 4:35 pm
In the US transit systems are subsidized. Roads are subsidized, too. Much more so. And how about New York’s system, Chicago’s system, Boston’s system, DC’s system and on and on. Yes they’re subsidized but no one would dispute they’re not successful systems and major parts of those cities’ economic engines.
May 12th, 2010 at 4:44 pm
I should have said no one would dispute that they are successful systems.
If this region wants to actually get with the times and be competitive there will have to be some kind of effective transit system.
I would also dispute the mayor saying things are on track. This is the third or fourth failed start for this commuter rail test. And instead of being pushed back a year this time it’s scheduled for some foggy indefinite future date despite what he says.
May 12th, 2010 at 7:52 pm
Jesus Keys… I have never seen such a negative bunch of people in my life on here!
May 12th, 2010 at 10:22 pm
There is a huge difference between being negative and being concerned. Change your perspective and you should see that these are mostly concerned folks.
May 13th, 2010 at 10:40 am
You can have the newest and most effective mass transit in the country, but it will not be effective unless people use it. The benefits of the NY, Chicago and multiple other systems is that the people use it to get from point A to point B every day. I would love to see a system here, but the question that begs to be asked is who will use it if it only goes through a small region?
May 13th, 2010 at 10:27 pm
James is exactly right. WHO is going to use it? We need to know who we are. We are not NY or Chicago where millions of people travel short distances to work and back. We do not have millions of people trying to get from point A to B on a daily basis. These are cities that are so crowded that there are no places to park and therefore, public transit makes sense.
If we put this in to service for the few people who will use it for a ride to Ann Arbor on occassion, it would be cheaper to give them taxi service for a modest cost. Who’s awake and alert?
May 14th, 2010 at 12:31 pm
Has anyone bothered to figure out the cost per mile of ths proposed system? Why not buy buses and use the system already in place called I-94? Please, somebody, tell me the People Mover is a hugh success. This is nothing but another government spending boondoogle. Diogenes
May 14th, 2010 at 1:34 pm
When my boss comes to Detroit from out of town he calls the People Mover the Person Mover as he is uaually the only person on it.
May 14th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
SEMCOGG’S WEBSITE GIVES SOME INSIGHT:
Project Funding
“The project team is developing applications for the second round of high speed rail funding. Also, they are asking local elected officials to support a state gas tax increase and that would allow for additional transit capital and operating funding to be set aside.”
Could Dearborn’s “LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS” getting ready to push a state gas tax increase on the citizen’s to pay for trains?
May 14th, 2010 at 9:43 pm
That’s good. I’ve heard it called the Mugger Mover. Thanks goodness he did not think of that one! I agree with Marge.
May 17th, 2010 at 9:56 am
If this is such a great idea, why hasn’t private enterprise jumped on the opportunity? Diogenes
May 17th, 2010 at 12:01 pm
Even when I worked downtown I didn’t use the people mover because it was faster to walk. It reminds me of the trolley on Mr. Rogers Neighborhood. Maybe PBS should advertise on it.