Jim Mathews, President and CEO of Rail Passengers Association (RPA), will be our guest speaker. RPA has campaigned strenuously over the last year (and more) to educate lawmakers and the public on the benefits of improved and expanded passenger train service across the country. With the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law last November, a wealth of opportunities are now available to Amtrak and the state partners to realize these benefits. Mr. Mathews will speak about how Michigan and the Midwest can roll up its sleeves and get to work on moving forward with our plans.

Join Zoom Meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84934271000?pwd=S01SYkhLTnBlQi96RXVtcmJhQjJoUT09

Meeting ID: 849 3427 1000
Passcode: 524858
Or dial: 312 626 6799 US

Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers
Zoom Meeting for Members and Friends
Thursday, 16 September 2021
5:00 PM Eastern Time

Guest Speaker
Carolyn Ulstad
Transportation Program Manager
Groundwork Center, Traverse City

Carolyn will review what has happened so far with the A2TC Project and update us on current plans for moving the proposal forward.

The Northern Michigan Rail Ridership Feasibility & Cost Estimate Study, completed in 2018, presented a favorable scenario for bringing  passenger train service to one of Michigan’s fastest growing regions.

ZOOM LINK                   
Meeting ID: 853 3140 4318
Passcode: 359845
Dial in: +1 312 626 6799

If you are unfamiliar with using Zoom, CLICK HERE for a short tutorial you will find helpful.

Cruce Becker will be joined by others to talk about the things that are making ESPA members anxious and the things that are giving them hope. On the plus side, ESPA has seen the opening of two new stations in the last year–Exchange Street Station in Buffalo and the Moynihan Train Hall in NYC; completion of a second main between Albany and Schenectady; formation of a Lake Shore Working group looking to expand service; and hiring of a part-time executive director. On the minus side, they have been waiting nearly 12 years for a final report on the Empire Corridor study, hoping it won’t meet the same fate as the Chicago-Detroit/Pontiac Corridor study. More immediately, ESPA hopes to restore food service on the Empire State Corridor train and is working to get pre-clearance at Montreal and to extend the Ethan Allen from Rutland to Burlington VT.

If you are new to Zoom, you will find this short video helpful:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9isp3qPeQ0E

The Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers
invites you to a Virtual Brown Bag Lunch
Thursday, May 13 at 12:00 pm CT, 1:00 pm ET  

In lieu of a MARP membership meeting in May, we are inviting members and friends to enjoy a Virtual Brown Bag Lunch with the High Speed Rail Alliance.

The guest speaker will be Derrick James, Amtrak Government Affairs Director. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about Amtrak’s “Vision 2035” to grow service and connect new city pairs across the country.

The plan would provide new and improved train service to millions of additional passengers and increase connectivity between urban and rural communities.

Advance registration is required if you wish to attend the event.
The zoom link will be provided when you register. 
REGISTER HERE 
Or go to HSRail.org/Events