(The following appeared on the Lansing State Journal website on February 1, 2010.)
LANSING, Mich. — According to statistics recently released by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), East Lansing ridership on Amtrak’s Blue Water line hit an all-time high in Fiscal Year 2009.
A total of 265,702 passengers used the Blue Water service in FY 2009 and, of that
total, 50,953 passengers boarded or deboarded in East Lansing.
This equates to 19 percent of the line’s total ridership for FY 2009 (which includes boardings and deboardings in nine Michigan cities and Chicago) and equates to 39 percent of Michigan boardings and deboardings.
It also represents East Lansing’s highest overall ridership in the history of the line.
“These numbers are significant considering the past year was such a difficult time for the economy, both here in mid Michigan and nationally,” said Janet Foran, an MDOT spokesperson.
“It demonstrates that the rail passenger service provided by Amtrak is valued and highly utilized in East Lansing and the Greater Lansing area.”
“We’re honored to be the state’s partner in providing Amtrak Blue Water service and happy to report growing ridership,” added Marc Magliari, an Amtrak spokesperson.
“Now is the time to take Amtrak from East Lansing, with a discount available through the end of April.”
Building on the momentum of this exciting announcement, the City will find out this February if the proposed redevelopment of East Lansing’s Amtrak station will receive TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery Grant) grant funding. The City applied for a TIGER grant last year, to be used to build a multi-modal transportation hub at the site of the current Amtrak station.
The proposed redevelopment project includes construction of a number of new, improved facilities, including a new train station, bus station, parking structure and development sites for university-related businesses.
The intent of the redevelopment project is to increase accessibility for all residents and visitors, create jobs, stimulate the economy, boost multi-jurisdictional partnerships and bolster a sustainable community.