The North-South Commuter Rail (AKA, WALLY) is a proposed 27-mile long commuter rail service on existing tracks that would connect Ann Arbor and Howell, with intermediate stops along the way. It is being evaluated as a cost-effective alternative to ease traffic congestion along US-23 and to promote economic development and job creation in the region.
A study has been initiated by the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (AAATA) to assess the overall feasibility of the North-South Commuter Rail service through a series of distinct phases and tasks that have been identified in conjunction with the Michigan Department of Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration. The results of this assessment, which includes in-depth public and stakeholder involvement, will be used to determine if the project is feasible and, if so, as part of the documentation to prepare the project for future federal funding.
The third — and final — set of community meetings have been scheduled for the following dates and locations:
Monday, March 20, 6:30-8:30 PM
Howell Area Chamber of Commerce, 123 E. Washington St., Howell, MI 48843
Tuesday, March 21, 6:30-8:30 PM
Northfield Township Offices, 8350 Main St., Whitmore Lake, MI 48189
Wednesday, March 22, 6:30-8:30 PM
Eberwhite Elementary School Auditorium, 800 Soule Blvd., Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Note: Parking at Eberwhite is located off of Soule Blvd. with additional parking off of Park Dr. at Mt Vernon.
The meetings will provide an update on the status of the North-South Commuter Rail project, including a summary of service options evaluated, cost and ridership projections, and information on governance and funding strategies. There will be a presentation at the beginning of the meeting, followed by discussion to answer questions and obtain public input on the proposed service and the process. The presentation and format will be the same for all three meetings.
For additional information, contact Michael Benham at AAATA at (734) 794-1851 or mbenham@theride.org.
WALLY is a waste of money. It will only server a very small part of the county. the 1800 to 1900 expected daily rider average being reported has no real basis to back it. Do the math. They are talking 4 trips in the morning and 4 trips at the end of the day. You would have to have 225 to 237.5 passengers on each of those trains. Assuming you could get 1900 passengers a fee of $8 per trip would be required to cover the proposed 25% that “local millages and rider fees” need to cover. The real number most of the time will be maybe 100 a day which means $146 per trip. I will never support any millage increase at the county or local level for this pipe dream.
I would love this so much!!! I could park in downtown Howell and ride the train to A2 for a day of shopping or a nice dinner and then come back to get my car. What could be easier!!
I would ride this train!! My sister lives in A2and I and she would give anything to avoid that ride on US 23!!
I will be at the meeting!