Detroit-Windsor Thruway connection

NARP has some news about a potential Detroit - Windsor Thruway bus connection being set up.

https://www.narprail.org/news/blog/narps-news-from-the-front-lines-update-on-the-amtrak-via-connection-at-detroit-windsor/

No specific details yet, but the guess is that it may be up and running by the end of the year (2017). I haven't checked and compared Amtrak and VIA Rail schedules to see how well the Detroit and Windsor times match up.

Minor service improvements are a good start. If I remember the Lynchburger has always had a bus connecting it to the Noke. And once the bus consistently stated running a certain number of passengers they started actively working on bringing Amtrak to the Noke. So another situation like this maybe it would prove the need for an international service and that would eventually occur.

The schedule options appear to be (assuming no changes to the train times)

Chicago 7:20 AM 6:00 PM

Detroit 1:50 PM 12:15 AM

Windsor 5:45 PM 5:30 AM

Toronto 9:51 PM 10:04 AM

Toronto 12:15 PM 7:35 PM

Windsor 4:30 PM 11:44 PM

Detroit 6:23 PM 6:28 AM

Chicago 10:56 PM 10:46 AM

The daytime westbound appears to be too close for comfort, while the eastbound has more time than is probably necessary. It would be nice if the train schedules could be adjusted. The overnights also have extra time, but it is unlikely that those trains would be scheduled at different times. I wouldn't be suprised if these trains were still not provided with a bus. There is also a 3rd Wolverine in both directions, but the international connections currently would make no sense at all.

The article also said that there would be through-ticketing, so I am curious as to what the fares will be. Regardless, this is good news and hopefully the through train will one day be restored.

Isn't there a fairly inexpensive bus service from the City of Windor? It might also be cheaper (given the exchange rate) paid in Canadian dollars from my understanding. I read the article, and it talks about an expensive international taxi ride. However, wouldn't it be simpler to take a taxi from the Amtrak station to the bus depot?

BCL said:

Isn't there a fairly inexpensive bus service from the City of Windor? It might also be cheaper (given the exchange rate) paid in Canadian dollars from my understanding. I read the article, and it talks about an expensive international taxi ride. However, wouldn't it be simpler to take a taxi from the Amtrak station to the bus depot?

Click to expand...

There is a bus crossing the border but it does not go to either train station, so three busses are required in total. Especially considering luggage and the fact that a double connection is already being made, a dedicated bus would be much easier.

brianpmcdonnell17 said:

BCL said:

Isn't there a fairly inexpensive bus service from the City of Windor? It might also be cheaper (given the exchange rate) paid in Canadian dollars from my understanding. I read the article, and it talks about an expensive international taxi ride. However, wouldn't it be simpler to take a taxi from the Amtrak station to the bus depot?

Click to expand...

There is a bus crossing the border but it does not go to either train station, so three busses are required in total. Especially considering luggage and the fact that a double connection is already being made, a dedicated bus would be much easier.

Click to expand...

However, the article made it seem like the only options to get to the bus depot were to walk or take public transit, or to take an expensive taxi ride across the border. I was thinking Detroit taxi, cross-border bus, then Windsor taxi.

Through ticketing and a dedicated bus would be great! I have made this connection a number of times via either city bus/tunnel bus/city bus or taxi the whole or part of the way. In a few weeks you will be able to take the Detroit streetcar part of it.

It has worked fine in both directions. Eastbound 350 to the evening Windsor Via train there is a little extra time as mentioned so I usually have gone out to eat in Windsor before catching the train.

Westbound, Via is usually pretty close to on time so I have had no trouble making the connection to Amtrak 355 west.

In the near future, if the michigan line train speeds are increased you may be able to make the 1:45pm Via Windsor-Toronto train. If they guarantee that earliar connection, that would be nice.

Westbound also there is a 11:00am arrival in Windsor which would be cool if it could be a guaranteed connection to a speeded up schedule of Amtrak 353.

Even without those adjustments it will be a beneficial service.

Is there anything going on with this or is it not going to happen? The article claimed that service would likely start before the end of 2017 and it is now 2018 without any official announcements.

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