Posted on Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 4:30 p.m.
Michigan Amtrak routes to get bi-level passenger rail cars with Wi-Fi
By Julie Baker
Amtrak plans to add 25 bi-level passenger rail cars to its Michigan lines by 2015, including the Wolverine line that runs through Ann Arbor, according an MLive.com report.
The U.S. Department of Transportation is seeking bids to manufacture about 130 new passenger rail cars like the ones in this rendering.
Courtesy California Department of Transportation via MLive
The cars would be used on three Michigan lines: the Blue Water, the Pere Marquette and the Wolverine. A standard single-level car on the Wolverine line holds 68 passengers, while the bi-level cars will accommodate up to 90, according to the report.
Amtrak says it's providing amenities that travelers are looking for, including Wi-Fi and bike racks.
Comments
shepard145
Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 11:25 p.m.
This is Amtrak - a train without a market - it is a slow, long haul system that we DON'T NEED. We both need and want real MASS TRANSIT. Amtrak is another GOVERNMENT FAILURE and waste of our tax dollars. If anyone looks at the cost vs. speed and schedule, it's amazing that ANYONE is riding this train at all. We need a multi billion dollar light or rapid rail system that will be in place for generations - not Bus Rapid Transit joke that can be wiped away at any time. Nobody will invest in Transit Oriented Development around BRT because it is TEMPORARY by it's nature. In fact, the entire benefit of mass transit is in the economic development it brings as an amenity to a region - not the train itself. That is also how pays for itself - increased economic activity.
jns131
Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 2:16 p.m.
I've been on one of these cars and they are nice. The bi levels are also used for sleeping cars as well. You get to see more as the train travels. I really like this idea.
Dog Guy
Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 5:32 p.m.
Great! I'll be able to get a good night's sleep on my way to Battle Creek.
mixmaster
Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 2 p.m.
I met my wife on an Amtrak train near Denver Colorado. We've been married for 39 years. You meet the nicest people on the train.
Dog Guy
Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 5:36 p.m.
Congratulations! I met my wife at a beer party at the American Legion hall on Liberty Street. We have been together 90 years . . . 45 years each. The beer party was not tax subsidized, however.
Salbolal
Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 12:29 p.m.
Julie -- can you find out more about the deplorable speed of the Amtrak trains recently? 3 1/2 hours to get from Ann Arbor to Kalamazoo this weekend! Even wifi and a full bar can't make that worth it....
foobar417
Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 1:59 p.m.
There's a track restriction, as noted in an early comment. It's being repaired (hopefully to complete within the next 2 weeks.)
Andrew Thomas
Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 2:14 a.m.
This is very good news. Amtrak is a great way to get to Chicago from Ann Arbor, much better than plane or car. It takes you right downtown (rather than O'Hare) and you really dont need a car to get around Chi, just hop on a bus or the El. I just took a trip to California with my son via Amtrak, and really enjoyed it. The train to Chicago was sold out, so there is definitely a demand for increased service. The double-decker cars should be a real upgrade from the rather dated cars currently in service.
jns131
Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 2:18 p.m.
We did the same thing. Although we got stuck in a snow squall somewhere out in Colorado. The great view you see traveling cross country. The trip I heard is Grand Canyon. They have some really good package deals.
JCK
Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 12:26 a.m.
I would take the train to visit my mom in Royal Oak but of course, there *is* no train to RO before 2pm. The price would be cheaper than driving. As a side note, I can't believe the state/city of Detroit thinks a high speed rail will encourage commuters to use it to get downtown. Cripe! Fix the buses you already have with that money!
jns131
Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 2:19 p.m.
Ypsilanti would love to have a rail service but it looks like that is on hold again.
Cash
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 11:02 p.m.
I am thrilled!!! YOU GO AMTRAK!! More room for seating and wifi! I'm excited....and I hope it happens before 2015.
Royalprince
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 10:20 p.m.
That sounds really exciting. If we ever travel on Amtrak, it would be great to surf the web while riding on the train.
Monica R-W
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 9:59 p.m.
YAY!! Good job Amtrak!
Ron Granger
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 9:48 p.m.
This will be great for those frequent times the train is stopped while waiting for freight traffic to clear. Any word of expanded bar service so they don't run out of booze?
blahblahblah
Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 1:43 a.m.
Yeah watch out for the red hat gals taking over the dining car and drinking all the booze!
Homeland Conspiracy
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 9:32 p.m.
Why? The train only travels at 35mph & are NEVER on time. Just had a friend visit from Kzoo it took over 3 1/2 hrs. I could of drove there & back with an 1/2 to share... & yes doing the speed limit!
Rob MI
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 9:46 p.m.
Do your research and you'll discover that the stretch of tracks between Kalamazoo and Ann Arbor (if not all the way to Dearborn) is currently under a speed restriction due to track work being performed by track owner Norfolk Southern. This work is due to wrap up in the next 2 weeks but in the meantime has meant a number of unavoidable changes including mid-day cancellations in both directions, cancellation of the Detroit to Pontiac segment on most trains and bus service between selected stops as Amtrak tries to deal with this sudden and unexpected work. Trains will again be able to go their normal speed of 75-80 mph between Dearborn and Kalamazoo shortly while continuing the 110 mph they currently travel between Kalamazoo and Portage, IN.
nickcarraweigh
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 9:29 p.m.
Those regrettable trackside incidents near the homeless encampments outside Battle Creek might be discouraged in the future by this new second-floor placement of most railcar windows. This security feature might mean that infamous mayhem never has to be repeated, unless they use grappling hooks.
jns131
Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 2:21 p.m.
O that will be a shame. Mayhem does such good work doesn't he?
aabikes
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 9:01 p.m.
finally bike racks! :D
jns131
Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 2:22 p.m.
You just have to figure out how to put them on top.
Mike
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 8:55 p.m.
So, who's paying for this? Amtrak hasn't made it work financially in my lifetime.................
johnnya2
Sun, Apr 29, 2012 : 5:29 p.m.
" I only have one option in either case for help. You on the other hand have multiple option for your trip to Chicago" Which is EXACTLY the point. I want to KEEP multiple options available and keep those as positive as possible. The amount of money that it takes to fund Amtrak is hardly a pimple on the size of the federal government. I have never once suggested getting rid of trains, planes or automobiles. It is the right wing nut who wants to gut AMtrak and make the metric for performance be profit. Having available transportation is good for all. There are people who choose not to drive a car, or physically are unable to, or due to being too young or too old do not drive. I have no problem increasing funding for roads AND for trains. I do not make it an either or. I believe the part of the system that is broke is the fact that we have a 35% as the highest tax bracket. Why not check what the rates were during the Eisenhower administration or Clinton or Reagan years. There are right wingers who truly believe the government funding the interstate highway system was bad. Transportation across state lines CLEARLY is a role of the federal government. If you want to end waste and fix the broken parts of the system, Amtrak, Planned Parenthood and PBS are not the big ticket items to look at. Start with the military and CORPORATE welfare such as the mortgage interest tax deduction.
nelago
Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 1:18 p.m.
"But, and here was my point, there is nothing, virtually nothing in any store you ever go in that didn't spend time in a truck. Not so for trains." Craig - maybe you should do your research. Trains carry just about EVERYTHING you can buy in a store, from produce and food products to electronics, appliances, and general goods. Not to mention that they carry all the parts/ingredients to make said products across the country. Much of what you see on trucks on the highway started out or will finish up on trains.
Craig Lounsbury
Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 11:34 a.m.
johnnya2, for the record I'm an independent voter who leans democrat more than republican. As to "ton miles' its a bit of a distorted number as what trains do best is carry very heavy items long distances. Yes trains do bring coal to the Midwest for my electricity. Trains also ship cars across country. But, and here was my point, there is nothing, virtually nothing in any store you ever go in that didn't spend time in a truck. Not so for trains. So roads are a necessity not a "waste" as you bhall suggested. And back to johnnya2...I see a huge difference between the core functions of Government, (police, fire, military) and your having a wifi connection on the way to your weekend bender in Chicago. Further more johnnya2 if my house ever does catch on fire or my loved one is killled or raped, I only have one option in either case for help. You on the other hand have multiple option for your trip to Chicago, including the existing train system. My concern is that our state Government is broke essentially and our federal Government is worse than broke, broke would be a huge improvement. So any time I see Government spending money on things we can easily do without I am concerned. I believe we can easily do without double Decker trains with wifi.
snark12
Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 2:26 a.m.
I <3 bhall and johnnya2!
johnnya2
Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 12:59 a.m.
Hey Craig, I have not used the police in the last decade. They are not profitable. I guess we should cut them further. The VAST majority of the people of ANn Arbor have not used the fire department. They are clearly not able to earn enough money to be sustainable. Let's shut them down now. I will also point out that the FAA is not profitable. Subsidized by non flying tax payers. I suppose you are against that? In fact, most of the "for profit airlines"have taken a government bailout called bankruptcy. I know all of the facts that bhall provided you, will not matter to you. Facts do not matter to the right wing. If they tell the lie often enough, people will believe it. Btw, the largest discretionary budget item is the military. Thhey are losing a lot of money. How about we cut that until they make a profit.
bhall
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 11:16 p.m.
In ton-miles, truck and rail account for 34 and 31 percent of commodity transportation, respectively, which is fairly even. What's more, most goods imported to the Midwest spend some time on a freight train. And, you wouldn't be able to turn on your lights in Michigan if the coal (unfortunately, for us) we burn wasn't put on a freight train in Wyoming. http://www.bts.gov/publications/freight_in_america/html/nations_freight.html Gas taxes pay for less than 60 percent of highway and road building/maintenance. The feds allocate billions each year from the national treasury -- in other words, taxpayers' dollars, whether they use the highways or not. In fact, we spend more each YEAR on highways than we have in total on Amtrak since its existence. http://www.politifact.com/new-jersey/statements/2011/dec/05/frank-lautenberg/Lautenberg-says-federal-highway-spending-last-year/ I'm not arguing against roads, but if we're going to stay competitive and create a sustainable society, we need several viable modes of transportation, that's all. I'd support raising the gas tax, but it's going to take a Republican president like Reagan to be able to do that. Can't see that happening any time soon.
Craig Lounsbury
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 10:22 p.m.
I'll add that the federal gas tax hasn't been raised since 1993. It wouldn't take much of an increase to make highways completely user subsidized again. I don't think that could ever happen with trains, the ticket prices would be beyond the means of most.
Craig Lounsbury
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 10:08 p.m.
bhall, the short coming in your argument is two fold. 1.Highways are a whole lot closer to to being subsidized by users through gas taxes. Indeed in my life time they actually were, and could be again easily. 2. Virtually everything you buy spent time in a truck on a road. Safe to say so close to 100%. Not so with a train where considerably less things we buy ever spend time in trains. So if we have to pick between the two roads win hands down.
bhall
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 10 p.m.
I'm also sick and tired of highways not making it work financially in my time. And even worse, those billion dollar highways are also empty during many hours of the day! I was driving on I-94 last night at midnight and I was the only one on the road! What a waste!