http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/rtas-...to-detroit

Very interesting as it would over the next 10 years connect Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Detroit, (and points between) with commuter rail as part of a comprehensive multi-modal transportation system (bus, rapid bus, etc.) for S.E. Michigan.

It should be uuuuuuuuuuuuuge for UofM football fans who could take the train to football games and avoid the driving and parking.

It would make it easier for students of both UofM and EMU to get to their homes on the weekends. For example, Canton would be an easy bus ride.

It would also inter-connect Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti more.

Dear steve,
I don't think this is going to happen. Why? As long as we have a republican administration, with pronounced budget restraints, that can't find funding for our roads, now has the Flint water crisis, they are going to propose a tax increase to fund this new initiative? Not going to happen. Also, where do the automobile companies line up on this? In the past they have been against mass transit, because they have felt it would hurt car sales.

(06-03-2016 07:58 AM)Ken Barna Wrote:  Dear steve,
I don't think this is going to happen. Why? As long as we have a republican administration, with pronounced budget restraints, that can't find funding for our roads, now has the Flint water crisis, they are going to propose a tax increase to fund this new initiative? Not going to happen. Also, where do the automobile companies line up on this? In the past they have been against mass transit, because they have felt it would hurt car sales.

Isn't this up to the voters of Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, and Washtenaw?

Isn't a mil tax on real estate property?

As far as I know, Lansing isn't part of it...

Anyone know the details?

All of that said, I'm curious how much this helps Ypsilanti and EMU directly?

Has boondoggle and cost overruns written all over it.

(06-03-2016 08:17 AM)emu steve Wrote:  

(06-03-2016 07:58 AM)Ken Barna Wrote:  Dear steve,
I don't think this is going to happen. Why? As long as we have a republican administration, with pronounced budget restraints, that can't find funding for our roads, now has the Flint water crisis, they are going to propose a tax increase to fund this new initiative? Not going to happen. Also, where do the automobile companies line up on this? In the past they have been against mass transit, because they have felt it would hurt car sales.

Isn't this up to the voters of Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, and Washtenaw?

Isn't a mil tax on real estate property?

As far as I know, Lansing isn't part of it...

Anyone know the details?

All of that said, I'm curious how much this helps Ypsilanti and EMU directly?

I don't think it benefits athletics at all. It made me a minor benefit to some students. It would benefit depot town though. It would be nice to take a train to Detroit for a ball game or concert.

I wish there were train service from Ann Arbor to Grand Rapids.

(06-03-2016 04:47 PM)TheWoodenNickle Wrote:  

(06-03-2016 08:17 AM)emu steve Wrote:  

(06-03-2016 07:58 AM)Ken Barna Wrote:  Dear steve,
I don't think this is going to happen. Why? As long as we have a republican administration, with pronounced budget restraints, that can't find funding for our roads, now has the Flint water crisis, they are going to propose a tax increase to fund this new initiative? Not going to happen. Also, where do the automobile companies line up on this? In the past they have been against mass transit, because they have felt it would hurt car sales.

Isn't this up to the voters of Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, and Washtenaw?

Isn't a mil tax on real estate property?

As far as I know, Lansing isn't part of it...

Anyone know the details?

All of that said, I'm curious how much this helps Ypsilanti and EMU directly?

I don't think it benefits athletics at all. It made me a minor benefit to some students. It would benefit depot town though. It would be nice to take a train to Detroit for a ball game or concert.

I wish there were train service from Ann Arbor to Grand Rapids.

I agree with your comments.

I see almost zero benefit to EMU athletics (could be a fair benefit to UofM athletics, esp. for those Saturday afternoon FB games).

If I lived in say Washtenaw County, Wayne, or Dearborn, taking a training to Detroit and then getting on the new QLine (Woodward light rail) to Comerica or Ford Field or the new arena would be great.

Only benefit is UM football parking relief, and EMU student bar hopping runs to Ann Arbor without having to drive drunk.