(The following report appeared on The Battle Creek Enquirer website on September 18.)
BATTLE CREEK, Mich. — Amtrak today agreed to a plan that would put a passenger service line between Kalamazoo and Ypsilanti under new ownership.
The railroad sale has been a point of contention for many leaders in communities along the line, including Battle Creek, who have cited fears of decreased passenger service under the new Michigan Central Railway. That is a joint venture between Norfolk, Va.-based Norfolk Southern Corp. and Pittsburgcq, Kan.-based Watco Cos. Inc.
“We were looking for an enforceable commitment, and it appears that Amtrak is holding Michigan Central Railway accountable,” said Battle Creek Mayor John Godfrey.
Currently, Amtrak uses rail through Battle Creek that is owned by Norfolk Southern.
The Class One railroad announced in July that it intends to pass ownership and maintenance duties of the section of rail to Watco, a Class Three railroad, pending approval by the federal Surface Transportation Board.
The STB is expected to issue a decision Oct. 25, said Ed McKechnie, Watco’s chief commercial officer.