  Ro_resident Member Username: Ro_resident Post Number: 169 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 63.85.13.248 |
You will have a chance to ride the Foxtown Tigers Train Great stuff. The Detroit Tigers have started a promotion where they have reserved a train to transport people to and from Pontiac for Saturday night games over the next few months. http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs .dll/article?AID=/20060728/BUS INESS06/607280436 I have heard rumors that some of the Tigers' greats will be on board at least the first train. | ||
Bvos Member Username: Bvos Post Number: 1750 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 134.215.223.211 |
Great News! I hope it starts happening for more events until it gets to the point where it's a given that there will be a train, bus, etc. to get you down to the big event. Well, we'll get mass transit in this town one way or another. Apparently sporting events are going to be the way we get it. Who would have thought that! | ||
Kathleen Member Username: Kathleen Post Number: 1464 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 140.244.107.151 |
If I understood the train aspect correctly, the Tigers are using the existing train departures, not chartering the train for this purpose. That said, it sounds like it would be a fun experience!!! | ||
Sharmaal Member Username: Sharmaal Post Number: 873 Registered: 09-2004 Posted From: 136.1.1.101 |
Guess who I heard on 950 AM talking about this? ATANAS! No joke! When the guy was talking I thought for sure he was from TRU (Transit Riders United) or some other group of the sort. | ||
Bvos Member Username: Bvos Post Number: 1753 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 134.215.223.211 |
I think that's even better that they may be using the existing schedule. It makes it all the more likely that folks will consider using it even when there isn't a special package put together for that event. As far as Atanas, I really cringed when HOUR Detroit listed him as one of the big developers bringing downtown back. However he really seems to "get it" and understand what are the major pieces that will make Detroit a great place to live. A very creative and positive idea from Atanas. Maybe TRU will consider some sort of award or recognition if this idea is wildly successful. Can't ask for much better transit PR in Detroit than this! (Message edited by BVos on July 28, 2006) | ||
Ro_resident Member Username: Ro_resident Post Number: 170 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 63.85.13.248 |
It is on the regular Amtrak service: Wolverine 355 inbound to Detroit Wolverine 354 outbound to Pontiac. | ||
Mackinaw Member Username: Mackinaw Post Number: 1925 Registered: 02-2005 Posted From: 70.141.78.183 |
At first it will be more recreational than user-friendly, but hopefully it will give people some ideas. With the way games normally end by 10-10:30, it will give those people some downtime to spend downtown without a car...walking around. Should be cool. This emphasizes a need for reliable, frequent transit linking New Center and Midtown to downtown. | ||
Cjdb16 Member Username: Cjdb16 Post Number: 135 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 198.109.49.243 |
I couldn't believe it was an Illich idea when I heard the radio this morning, but credit where credit is due... great idea! | ||
Motorcity Member Username: Motorcity Post Number: 22 Registered: 12-2003 Posted From: 167.236.0.61 |
Royal Oak's Cool Cities advisory pitched a similar idea last year and got a very positive response from MDOT and Amtrak for an Art Train and Blue Cruise during Art Fairs, Dream Cruises and Football games. Amtrak offers discounted tickets to promoters and I believe arrangements were discussed to offer alcoholic beverages and snacks during the commute. It is very difficult to add trains to the existing schedule on those lines but adding additional cars to existing trains didn't seem to be an issue. Could be a fun little fund raiser for a nonprofit with a related cause light the Green Cruise.... | ||
Gravitymachine Member Username: Gravitymachine Post Number: 1203 Registered: 05-2005 Posted From: 198.208.159.18 |
indeed! its an extremely narrow use of the bus and train systems, but if it gets people to ponder the broader potential of both then I'm all for it | ||
Hardhat Member Username: Hardhat Post Number: 159 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 67.38.5.237 |
Motorcity: Why is it "very difficult" to add trains to the existing schedule? It seems to me that's among the simplest ways of introducing mass transit to Oakland County to Detroit - just adding a few locomotives and passenger cars and having them go back and forth. I wonder why that's so difficult? | ||
Gravitymachine Member Username: Gravitymachine Post Number: 1204 Registered: 05-2005 Posted From: 198.208.159.18 |
hardhat, "right of way" is the issue, a whole lot of frieght runs on those very same lines daily | ||
Mackinaw Member Username: Mackinaw Post Number: 1926 Registered: 02-2005 Posted From: 70.141.78.183 |
Yeah, sometimes the jaunt from A2 to New Center can take over an hour because the train comes to a standstill waiting for its right of way. (Usually happens east of Ypsi, or in SW Detroit). | ||
Hardhat Member Username: Hardhat Post Number: 160 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 67.38.5.237 |
Thank you. | ||
Jams Member Username: Jams Post Number: 3544 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.21.38.202 |
I had a conversation with a Yardmaster a week or so ago. Freight takes priority over passengers, and currently rail lines are at or near capacity for freight. (my conjecture is fuel prices have made rail a cheaper way to ship, just a guess on my part nothing to substantiate that at this moment) He also explained there is a 30 minute window that is necessary prior and following of no freight traffic in order for a passenger train to have right of way on the lines. It was one of those conversations that reminded me, that while the solution to something might appear to be simple, other factors play into it that make it very complex. | ||
Rbdetsport Member Username: Rbdetsport Post Number: 143 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 68.61.11.146 |
"Atanas Ilitch said also he was encouraged by Dan Gilbert, the owner of Livonia-based Quicken Loans, Rock Financial and the Cleveland Cavaliers basketball team. Gilbert, who is considering downtown Detroit and other locations for a new Quicken/Rock headquarters, supports expanding Detroit's mass transit options." Sounds like Quicken and Ilitch have a little friendship going. Seems like a good sign since the UA Building is being marketed with the Statler Site where it is rumored that Quicken will move. | ||
Focusonthed Member Username: Focusonthed Post Number: 412 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 209.220.229.254 |
It has also been rumored that that deal was 100% dead in the water a month or so ago, so take any rumors with a grain of salt. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 2501 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 4.229.81.81 |
It's great that the "Creative" Ilitch has come back to work in the family business again. He had a long bout with a rare form of Cancer, IIRC. Great to have him back! I hope he stays healthy. He seems to be more "in tune" with what folks want to see happening downtown, than other members of the family. | ||
Ray Member Username: Ray Post Number: 757 Registered: 06-2004 Posted From: 69.209.128.123 |
This is great but God it's so painful to have to coax these people into riding the flipping train as if it wan't a if not the global standard in transportation. <== calls for an immediate ban on the private ownership of automobiles. | ||
Darwinism Member Username: Darwinism Post Number: 540 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 71.148.7.12 |
Well, fellow forumers, I think he may have hit the jackpot on this initiative. According to Channel 7 News at 5, all tickets have been sold out - in 4 hours !!! I say we should all write to Atanas for starting an effort to make mass transit plans a priority here in Detroit. As other posters have noted, TRU needs to acknowledge him publicly as a gesture. | ||
Motorcitymayor2026 Member Username: Motorcitymayor2026 Post Number: 1068 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 24.231.189.137 |
It will be great if it is expanded for all season with the Tigers/ Red Wings/Fox shows, maybe something with Motorcitycasino... | ||
Pdtpuck Member Username: Pdtpuck Post Number: 151 Registered: 01-2006 Posted From: 208.251.168.194 |
The nation's freight RR's absolutely DESPISE Amtrak! When I worked in Chicago for the UP, Amtrak was talking about trying to get service on the Chicago-Clinton, IA.(former CNW) (and beyond) line, and the UP just laughed (of course, they didn't tell Amtrak they can't even handle the freight traffic they have, let alone passenger service)! Freight RR's have too much to lose when they handle time-sensitive freight, such as UPS trailers from Chicago to the West Coast. When I worked there, that business bounced back and forth between the UP and the BNSF all the time! When they get it, they like to keep it, and when they lose it, they like to get it back, even at the expense of other services like dedicated manifest freight between Chicago & North Platte, NE. Look at a nation-wide RR map from the 50's, and look at one from today. RR's have abandoned HUGE amounts of lines in areas where business went to trucks or died off altogether, and the lines they have are ones where traffic will continue to keep the line profitable. Plus, RR's don't want to put any capital into new lines, as the amount of money to build new lines is MASSIVE, plus regular maintenance, traffic may fall afterwards, etc. Factor into that the acquisition of new business on already capacity-strapped lines, and you get the picture (in a nutshell, of course!). Sorry for the long post...as Steve Martin once said, "Lost my mind, just for a moment!" | ||
Tayshaun22 Member Username: Tayshaun22 Post Number: 286 Registered: 02-2005 Posted From: 69.14.101.116 |
Oh sure, have a train for the Oakland County folks. How about for those of us Downriver? | ||
Buddyinrichmond Member Username: Buddyinrichmond Post Number: 22 Registered: 02-2004 Posted From: 69.212.57.9 |
A boat? | ||
Motorcitymayor2026 Member Username: Motorcitymayor2026 Post Number: 1078 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 67.38.7.225 |
how about you move downtown and forget about it ??  | ||
Tayshaun22 Member Username: Tayshaun22 Post Number: 287 Registered: 02-2005 Posted From: 69.14.101.116 |
Write me a check for 100 large and I'll be good to go! |
