Return to RTA Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting
Live reporting by Ashley Williams
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Discussion on expansion of QLINE at $50 million per mile; running commuter trains on existing unused tracks.

Ashley Williams @williams_ashsue
Good morning! I’ll be live-tweeting the @RTAmichigan Citizens Advisory Committee meeting at 5:00 PM for #DETdocumenters. Join me tonight for live updates!💯

@media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DETdocumenters

07:16 AM Jun 27, 2022 CDT

Ashley Williams @williams_ashsue 6/28
@RTAmichigan @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters ‼️ IMPORTANT: If you believe anything in the coverage tonight is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@outliermedia.org with "Correction Request" in the subject line.
Ashley Williams @williams_ashsue 9/28
@RTAmichigan @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters Tim from Royal Oak asks about extending the @qlinedetroit into Royal Oak and Birmingham. Steven Hawring responded that it's a good idea, but most likely won't happen "for a long time." According to Hawring, the RTA has jurisdiction over the following: https://t.co/YgOrEmuYlF
Ashley Williams @williams_ashsue 10/28
@RTAmichigan @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters @qlinedetroit A main point of his comment was to help those in further suburbs to get into Detroit for sporting events, etc. Proposing repurposing the existing freight tracks. Megan Owens said the QLine cost $50M/mile. https://t.co/CE5TT4LB2t
Ashley Williams @williams_ashsue 11/28
@RTAmichigan @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters @qlinedetroit Justin Sutton (Interstate Traveler Company) is urging the state to honor the resolutions passed by the MI House and Senate in 2003. Learn more about the project here elevatedrailsystems.com
Ashley Williams @williams_ashsue 12/28
@RTAmichigan @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters @qlinedetroit Clark Charnetski is trying to add context to the discussion regarding a regional commuter rail, however his audio isn't great. 🫤
Ashley Williams @williams_ashsue 13/28
@RTAmichigan @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters @qlinedetroit Nate Hatton (Amtrak Conductor & Union Rep) says that the union is working with MDOT on inner city options, and the state is in partnership with WI and IL. MI owns their own equipment, it's just operated by Amtrak. With Amtrak ordering new equipment, MI has an opportunity to join.
Ashley Williams @williams_ashsue 14/28
@RTAmichigan @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters @qlinedetroit Frank (Citizen's Advisory Committee) asked Nate how ridership is with Amtrak right now. Nate says that they changed the schedule for the summer so it's hard to do a day trip to either Chicago or Detroit, but they are selling out trains, especially on the weekends.
Ashley Williams @williams_ashsue 15/28
@RTAmichigan @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters @qlinedetroit Thinks that the schedule change is due to maintenance on parts of the track, but the projects are behind schedule.
Ashley Williams @williams_ashsue 16/28
Ashley Williams @williams_ashsue 17/28
@RTAmichigan @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters @qlinedetroit Nate says that current equipment is "getting tired" but is still holding up well, whereas newer equipment isn't as good quality. The Next Generation Corridor Equipment Pool Committee is the group that is responsible for equipment. highspeed-rail.org/Pages/Section3…
Ashley Williams @williams_ashsue 18/28
@RTAmichigan @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters @qlinedetroit Public comment was ended, due to a time constraint of one of the presenters. May be resumed later.
Ashley Williams @williams_ashsue 19/28
@RTAmichigan @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters @qlinedetroit Megan Owens (from Transportation Riders United) is speaking about the SMART bus millage renewal, next. https://t.co/HO1PUb8JFL
Ashley Williams @williams_ashsue 21/28
@RTAmichigan @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters @qlinedetroit Macomb County put SMART on the ballot county wide, but Oakland County cities were to decide city by city. https://t.co/CYXT83Wfc6
Ashley Williams @williams_ashsue 22/28
@RTAmichigan @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters @qlinedetroit Not looking to increase funding, want it to remain the same as the past 8 years. https://t.co/b8IhxumK7o
Ashley Williams @williams_ashsue 23/28
@RTAmichigan @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters @qlinedetroit Main goal is defending SMART service in Macomb and expanding service in Oakland. https://t.co/Jb9OaQQWd8
Ashley Williams @williams_ashsue 24/28
@RTAmichigan @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters @qlinedetroit Those interested in helping out with this campaign should email Thomas!👇 https://t.co/D5NgDKIHFx
Ashley Williams @williams_ashsue 25/28
@RTAmichigan @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters @qlinedetroit FYI - due to a couple of absences by key speakers, the meeting will be shorter than normal.
Ashley Williams @williams_ashsue 27/28
@RTAmichigan @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters @qlinedetroit TRU holds SMART campaign meetings every other Thursday at 6:00 PM via Zoom. Email Thomas for more info (see image above).
Ashley Williams @williams_ashsue 28/28
@RTAmichigan @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters @qlinedetroit Meeting as been adjourned at 6:03 PM. For more meeting coverage, check out documenters.org. Thanks for following along! https://t.co/PUzn8QPi4Y