Here it is....
thanks - not sure why I couldn't paste in the link, but thanks for adding it!
thanks - not sure why I couldn't paste in the link, but thanks for adding it!
A GR to Kazoo train would, IMO, be about fifth (at best) down the priority passenger service list. Coast to coast, Detroit to Toledo, SE MI to NW MI, Something involving Muskegon to connect with the ferry to Wisconsin and the Empire Builder would play far and above what's being suggested in the article.
I agree that the PM shouldn't be rerouted, but not everybody has a car, and you know how 131 gets in the winter.
I would love to have a train between Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids. Yes, it's a lower priority than other projects, but it's still worth talking about.
They've talked about "backtracking" Kzoo-GR-Holland. But that still leaves St. Joe in the lurch.
I wish they'd focus on Detroit-Toledo, to bring in those *out of state visitors*, but it seems really hard to get the state government to look across the border.
Absolutely agree, particularly with #3. That hour-long trip from Holland to GR is just agonizing, particularly at the end of the day, and if the train is an hour late besides...
LOL I KNOW!! It's the same with any sort of public transportation around the St. Joe area - not even taxis. One measly little one way bus system that may be ok if you have a lot of time, but not if you don't. I mean of course we drive everywhere there but sometimes it would be nice to have an option NOT to! Hell, they don't even like to put in sidewalks, god forbid anyone like to WALK somewhere! LOL!
Since that statement was sort of aimed at me, let me say that I am a member of a group that advocates for the disabled and am well aware of the difficulties people have getting around if they do not or cannot drive for whatever reason. But rerouting the Pere Marquette isn’t likely to help non-drivers in the least. At best it will be a wash. Maybe some non-driver would benefit from a train from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo but remember this isn’t a commuter route with multiple trains a day, it’s a one a day Amtrak train that currently leaves Grand Rapids earlier than most students get up and earlier than inbound city buses make it to the transit center next door and returns late at night after those buses have stopped running. And the other direction doesn’t work at all unless the person intends to stay overnight in Grand Rapids.
It's the second time I've read "they can just drive" in this thread and figured it wouldn't be the last. We really do live in an auto-centric state.
I'll be the first to admit that what I said about driving earlier was quite insensitive as yes, I'm one of those conditioned to driving over public transportation. I tend to forget that just because I ride the train for fun, others do it as a necessity. Admittedly, this attitude is probably caused by having the ability to still drive. For overlooking others that cannot, I apologize. I still think that the idea of rerouting the Pere Marquette is impractical (and probably won't happen).That statement was just a general statement.
I understand why, as the auto industry used to employ a hefty chunk of residents, so we're rather conditioned to eschew public transit.
I'm not familiar with that train.
I wouldn't mind seeing something like that for the 131 corridor. It could incorporate places like Martin Speedway and Gun Lake Casino as possible intermediate stops. I doubt that'll happen though.
