Rail Line in Holding Pattern

The start date of a long-planned commuter line between Ann Arbor and ­Detroit has been postponed due to lack of funding.

The Southeastern Michigan Council of Governments, which is overseeing the effort to get the commuter rail line up and running, said it had indefinitely delayed a demonstration start date while it attempts to secure more money.

The line, which runs on freight train tracks, will operate for special events. The agency had planned to run four daily round trips between the two cities. ­Amtrak will operate the service.

The move follows an announcement by U.S. Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, D-Detroit, that she was switching her support to high-speed rail instead of the planned rail line. Reports quoted as her as critical of the project’s lack of action.

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, click here.
Transportation industry
MORE FROM BOND BUYER