Michigan Transportation plans demand, feasibility study of Holland-Detroit passenger rail
6/19/2014HOLLAND, Mich. — The Michigan Department of Transportation plans to study whether it’s viable to operate a passenger rail service between Holland and Detroit, with stops in Grand Rapids and Lansing.
The Lansing State Journal says the state budget for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1 mandates the study. The budget requires the Michigan Department of Transportation to submit a report to the Legislature by May 1, 2015.
Department rail office Director Tim Hoeffner says this doesn’t mean there’s going to be passenger rail service on the route anytime soon.
Hoeffner says the department likely will hire a consultant to study socioeconomics in the communities along the route and how people move between the cities to help determine potential ridership.