Got thoughts about a long-discussed revitalization of passenger rail service in Michigan? Traverse City’s Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities wants to hear them.

Groundwork is a key partner in a long-gestating effort to restore passenger rail connectivity between northern Michigan and downstate and beyond. After years of delays, most of them caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the rail project found new traction last year thanks to $2.3 million in state and federal grants.

Last February, Carolyn Ulstad – Groundwork’s transportation program manager – told The Ticker that the money would allow project partners to conduct a crucial “Phase II” study. Groundwork conducted the Phase I study in 2018, ultimately finding that reigniting upstate-to-downstate rail service had the potential to attract 1.5 million riders and generate $100 million in revenue by 2040. The study also recommended the launch of “excursion” or special event trains to Traverse City by 2020, to test the market and allow riders to experience rail at speeds of 60 miles per hour. From there, the plan was to build upon the excursion trains by adding both regular service and higher-speed trains.

The Phase II study, meanwhile, is intended to establish an actionable roadmap for how Groundwork, the Cadillac/Wexford Transit Authority, and other partners can go about fixing up railways, establishing passenger rail stations, and ultimately getting rail service up and running in the state.

In October, Groundwork announced the hiring of engineering and professional services firm WSP to lead the Phase II study. Now, that study is officially up on its feet: In a newsletter sent to Groundwork subscribers Monday, Ulstad invited interested parties to complete a “Connecting Michigan by Rail” survey via Google Docs.

“Right now, a year-long study is underway to explore how to make Michigan north-south passenger rail service a reality,” Ulstad wrote in her email. “The consulting team is busy gathering data to analyze important business plan details, such as ridership potential, infrastructure needs, and operating costs. And here at Groundwork, we’ve been working closely with members of the project’s Advisory Group, which is made up of transit agencies and cities along the proposed route.”

According to the survey document, the new passenger rail line “would operate along a 240-mile, state-owned, active rail line” and “could strengthen local economies, enhance travel safety, and offer a convenient, enjoyable alternative for those who prefer not to drive or are unable to do so.” The survey asks participants to describe what the passenger rail line would mean to them and their communities, as well as which specific destinations, schedules, and amenities they’d like to see from the train.

Beyond the survey itself, Ulstad noted that, “if you live along the line, chances are your city manager, planner, or transit director is on the project’s Advisory Group,” urging Michiganders to reach out to their local leaders to share feedback. Ulstad’s email also makes it clear that the survey is merely the first public engagement step of many that will transpire throughout the coming 12 months.

“Over the course of the year, there will be even more opportunities to engage with the study, including public meetings and additional chances to provide feedback,” Ulstad wrote. “Stay tuned for more ways to get involved!”