More than 21,000 Michiganders weigh in on proposed rail line, with Washtenaw County among the strongest supporters.
A proposed passenger rail line connecting Ann Arbor with Traverse City and other Northern Michigan communities continues to generate significant public interest, according to the results of a statewide survey that drew more than 21,700 responses from every county in Michigan.
The survey, conducted by Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities as part of Michigan’s North+South Passenger Rail Project, found strong interest in using passenger rail for vacations, visiting family, outdoor recreation and entertainment, while also identifying affordability, travel time and comfort as the key factors that would determine whether people ride.
The proposed corridor would reconnect Southeast Michigan with communities including Howell, Owosso, Alma, Mount Pleasant, Cadillac, Kalkaska, Traverse City and Petoskey, aiming to provide an alternative to driving while supporting tourism and other economic factors.
Washtenaw County Among Most Engaged
The survey received 21,786 responses, with participation from all 83 Michigan counties. Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne counties generated the largest number of responses, contributing 7,030 submissions combined. Washtenaw County alone accounted for 2,191 responses, or 10.06 percent of the statewide total.
“Given that these counties are among the most populous in the state and are located along the proposed corridor, this level of participation was not unexpected,” the report states.
Study organizers caution, however, that the survey should not be viewed as a scientific poll of Michigan residents.
“Participation was voluntary and self-selected, meaning respondents chose to complete the survey, rather than being selected through a random sampling process,” the report notes. “As a result, participants likely represent individuals with a greater-than-average interest in passenger rail or transportation issues.”
Leisure Travel Drives Interest
Rather than daily commuting, most respondents envisioned using the service for leisure trips.
The survey found:
- 67% would primarily use the train for occasional trips.
- 28% said they would use it for both occasional travel and commuting if service met their needs.
The most common reasons for riding were vacations, entertainment, outdoor recreation and visiting family and friends. Nearly half (49%) said visiting family would be one of their travel purposes.
Traverse City Tops Wish List
When asked which destinations they would be more likely to visit if rail service were available, respondents most frequently selected:
- Traverse City
- Petoskey
- Ann Arbor
- Detroit
The report points out that this “reflects interest in connecting major population centers with some of Michigan’s most popular tourism and recreation regions.”
Riders Want Comfort, But Cost Reigns
While respondents appreciated the comfort of train travel, practical considerations ranked highest.
When asked to rank what matters most when choosing rail travel, respondents placed:
- Cost
- Travel time
- Overall travel experience
- Frequency of service
- Environmental benefits
Nearly 72% said they would be willing to pay approximately the same fare as an Amtrak trip between Detroit and Chicago, about $40. Another 17% said they would pay more, while about 11% preferred a lower fare.
Among quality-of-life benefits, respondents most valued being able to relax or make productive use of travel time. Eighty percent liked the opportunity for uninterrupted “down-time,” and many also appreciated being able to walk around during longer trips and avoid driving in poor winter weather.
Weekend Service Could Be Key
Travel demand leaned heavily toward leisure weekends.
Friday through Monday emerged as the preferred travel days, while interest remained relatively strong across all four seasons, with a slight preference for summer and fall travel, suggesting schedules emphasizing weekend travel could play an important role in usage.
Planning, Not a Vote
Groundwork emphasizes that the survey is intended to help planners understand how people might use future rail service, not to determine whether the project should move forward.
The North+South Passenger Rail study, commissioned in 2024, is ongoing and expected to conclude later this year. It is evaluating possible routes, infrastructure needs, ridership forecasts, operating costs and phased implementation strategies for restoring passenger rail service between Southeast Michigan and Northern Michigan.
Source: Michigan’s North+South Passenger Rail Project – Service Design Public Survey Results (2026), Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities.
Featured photo: An Amtrak Wolverine Service train departs the Ann Arbor station. The Wolverine route operates three daily round trips between Chicago and Pontiac, providing passenger rail service through Ann Arbor and several other southern Michigan communities. Photo by John P. Mueller, licensed under CC BY 2.0.
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