Welcome to the new Michigan By Rail website! It has been a while since the Michigan By Rail project was active, and this past summer it came back to life as the Transportation for Michigan (Trans4M) coalition took it on as a new policy team.
The Michigan By Rail project began in 2010 as a collaborative effort between the Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers (MARP) and the Michigan Environmental Council (MEC). Past projects include organizing public engagement with the Michigan Department of Transportation’s Great Lakes Rail Corridor Study, the 2010 Michigan By Rail Forums, and the 2011 Michigan Rail Summit.
After the brief hiatus, our group reconvened with some new and old partners through Trans4M. Our team discussed how we could encourage and empower Michigan to move forward with our State Rail Plan. As Michigan passenger rail ridership continues to rise year by year, one plan recommendation rose to the top of our goals: an east/west connection via Detroit, Ann Arbor, Lansing, Grand Rapids and Holland. This connection seems to be a key next step in developing Michigan’s passenger rail system and would expand mobility options and economic opportunities for many populous areas of our state.
Our team includes fellow Trans4M members, the Michigan Land Use Institute, Michigan Technological University Rail Transportation Program, and Harriet Tubman Center. This new website features mapping of the proposed routes for the proposed “Coast-to-Coast” service between the east and west coasts of Michigan’s mitten, quick access to online Michigan rail resources, and information about how to get more involved with our work. We will keep this website update to date with new information as the project develops.
We’re very happy to being working together again under the Michigan By Rail banner, and we’re excited to get more folks like yourself on board. Drop us a line if you want to know more about our work, or give us a hand – click here for more info about you can help us reconnect Michigan’s passenger rail system.
By: Dan Sommerville, Policy Associate, Michigan Environmental Council
Front Page Feature Image By: Gary L Howe
Michigan By Rail 
likely the best news this year. they talk about heavily used roads needing more $ to keep in good repair with millions of $ gas taxes being used for what?. need to reinstate rail service through out mi. similar to late 1800’s for efficient movement of goods & people!