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Amtrak Pere Marquette Return to Service

Posted: Fri May 15, 2020 11:53 am
by Saturnalia
Per the Trains newswire, while booking had been available beginning June 1 for a resumption of service for trains 370 and 371, that has since been dropped and the recent press release containing other service reinstatements does not include any mention of Michigan Service changes.

Makes me think that perhaps the MDOT Office of Rail is being told to expect an extension of the stay-at-home order beyond the 28th of May as it currently is, or they simply do not see demand returning yet.

Re: Amtrak Pere Marquette Return to Service

Posted: Fri May 15, 2020 12:11 pm
by DaveO
Or it has to do with Covid-19 directives on the Chicago/Cook County/Illinois side of things.

Re: Amtrak Pere Marquette Return to Service

Posted: Fri May 15, 2020 12:15 pm
by Ypsi
Even without an extension, I don’t think the demands will be back for a while. I don’t expect to see 6 trains on wolverine service for some time. Businesses aren’t traveling, school isn’t in session, and people are not going on vacation. In reality I can see a summer with limited action in general. I’m actually surprised the blue water kept service during this. Part of me believes that they kept the wolverines/ blue water on to keep rust off the Amtrak owned portion of the line. The rusty rail from CP28-CP18 was always a fun time in the Michigan line. 352 and 355 would do their dance at CP ypsi rather than run down the rusty rail at slower speeds.

Re: Amtrak Pere Marquette Return to Service

Posted: Fri May 15, 2020 4:33 pm
by PatAzo
Budgets are going to be taking a hit, MDOT, Amtrak, everybody. The costs related to high unemployment coupled drops in revenue shutting down a big slice of the economy are going to bring hard choices. The money may just not be there.