
A BOLD VISION FOR MICHIGAN
Bringing back passenger rail to Traverse City and Petoskey from Ann Arbor and Detroit is good for Michigan. We can connect Michigan’s growing cities in the south and north while energizing proud cities along the way. Civic and business leaders agree that helping the state to attract the next generation workforce and to create better connections and more transportation options is the critical work of our time.
The steering committee for A2TC includes: Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities, Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA), the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), and the Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers.
The Plan

WHY ANN ARBOR TO TRAVERSE CITY?
EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE
Often the most expensive part of a rail project is the cost of buying land and laying new tracks. The state still owns the property and tracks for this route; they are still in place and in good shape.
WIDESPREAD SUPPORT
There’s tremendous public support and enthusiasm passenger rail to Traverse City from Ann Arbor. The number one priority that came out of a statewide rail planning process in 2011 was a passenger connection to Traverse City.
STATEWIDE PRIORITY
A passenger rail line to northern Michigan was included as a goal in Michigan’s State Rail Plan. The next step is securing real investment to make this plan a reality.
WHO IS SUPPORTING THIS EFFORT?
- Bay Area Transportation Authority
- Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority
- Boyne City Main Street
- Boyne Valley Township
- City of Alma
- City of Mt. Pleasant
- City of Petoskey
- City of Traverse City
- Evangeline Township
- Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers
- Michigan Environmental Council
- State Senator Wayne Schmidt
- Michigan Representative Gretchen Driskell
- Michigan Representative Larry Inman
- Mt. Pleasant Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau
- Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce
- Traverse Area Association of REALTORS
- Traverse City Downtown Development Authority
- Traverse City Tourism
- Traverse CONNECT
- United States Senator Gary Peters
- Washtenaw Count
WHAT IS THE PROJECT SCHEDULE?
HOW CAN I SUPPORT PASSENGER RAIL?
Passenger train service along the state’s existing railroad line not only provides another way for travelers to get around, but it will also have a major boost to some of the state’s best downtowns. In fact, studies show that rail provides a major economic boost to the regions around each station.
Join the growing list of supporters! Please sign up for updates and become a champion to move Michigan forward.