Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers

[trainnut]

Our organization (MARP) is looking for people with a positive attitude toward passenger railroading who want better rail service in Michigan and the U.S. Would you like to help educate the public and our elected officials on the potential benefits of rail travel? Would you like to write articles about rail travel? Are you knowledgeable about the rail network in Michigan and have some knowledge of railroad operations? Have you traveled with Amtrak? We are an all volunteer organization. Although not affiliated with Amtrak and the Michigan Department of Transportation, we do work with them to expand and improve passenger train service. At monthly meeting held through out Southern Michigan we discuss issues pertinent to rail travel. Current on going projects include supporting the rail corridor between Grand Rapids and Detroit via Lansing, the development of commuter service between Howell and Ann Arbor and Ann Arbor and Detroit just to name a few. Support for these programs is rendered by attending green fairs, festivals, train shows etc. where we provide the public with free information about traveling by train through the distribution of flyers, timetables and brochures. Our educational efforts are complimented by the publication of a monthly electronic newspaper and the quarterly Michigan Passenger. Our next guest speaker at our January meeting will be Tim Hoeffner, who heads the rail division of MDOT. Mr. Hoeffner will speak on the progress being made to the Wolverine line in 2015 and what MDOT expects to accomplish in 2016. Go to http://www.marp.org for details.
By joining MARP you can help shape policy and public opinion and help give Michigan residents a greener, more sustainable transportation option. The basic membership fee is $25.00 per year. Senior citizen membership is only $15.00. For more information go to http://www.marp.org. You can sign up on line and pay your dues via PayPal.
Chuck Merckel-MARP Membership Coordinator 734 522-7329