Groups pushing for better rail service in metro area

From the Dearborn Press & Guide

DEARBORN — Mayor Jack O’Reilly and other city officials took part in a public forum on Michigan’s passenger rail transportation future Wednesday on the University of Michigan-Dearborn campus.

“I’ve been in and out of issues with transit since 1980 when I was working with the Senate Transportation Committee,” O’Reilly said. “We’ve had a lot of false starts, but no real progress in any kinds of mass transit and there’s got to be a starting point. If we can get the momentum going, we can begin to explore this.”

Recent federal support has put Michigan in a great position to build a modern rail transit system that is clean, fast and convenient, according to John Langdon of the Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers.

“We want residents to shape that vision and discuss how best to meet big challenges like funding for such a rail network,” Langdon said.