Whisper of Passenger Rail Line Sparks Frenzy in Detroit

In Detroit, it appears even the mere mention of a hint of passenger train service running between downtown and some of the most immediate suburbs is enough for news organizations to pounce on the story as if it’s some revolutionary idea.

That’s because in Detroit, it is.

Sterling Heights just proved this point, announcing that the second most populous city in the Detroit metro area is at the beginning of the beginning of possibly looking at maybe adding a passenger rail service providing maybe hourly service to downtown Detroit on an old manufacturing rail line that is gradually being dismantled.

Every news organization in the area ran the story. The Free Press, The News, all the TV Stations — WXYZ, WDIV, and CBS — and a host of online publications.

In any other city, this would be a blip, at best. Many cities wouldn’t even notice until something concrete happened: Stakeholder meetings, a feasibility study, something.

Not in Detroit.

Why?

Cars. It’s kinda what we’re known for. It’s what built the city and, in some ways, what ruined it.

There is no rail system that takes people into or out of Detroit. The dearth of non-auto transportation makes it possibly the least accessible city in America. You need to go somewhere? Get in your car and drive. Or maybe just shut up.

Here’s where Sterling Heights is with this idea: An intern researched the idea, wrote a paper saying that maybe it could be done, and suggested city leaders consider it before the railroad tracks are dismantled. Portions of the track north of 22 Mile Road are already gone.

There are no meetings scheduled. There is no timeline. No grants have been applied for. No other agencies (and there are many who’d have a say) have been contacted. There isn’t even a formal proposal.

It’s just an idea.

But it’s such a revolutionary idea in Detroit that it picked up a full dozen stories in various media outlets.

Of all of them, I think the story in RAW Detroit, an outlet I never heard of before, had the most complete story. READ IT here.

WHY IT MATTERS: The most telling quote comes from the Sterling Heights City Manager Mark Vanderpool: "We believe that this is the next phase to prosperity. Not only for our city, but for the region," Vanderpool told WXYZ.

The next phase to prosperity. For the entire region.

Open, accessible rail as a viable alternative to getting in your car is now, finally and thankfully, thought of as the next big boon for a region with little, although increasing, non-auto infrastructure.

He’s right.