A2TC_map_MLUI.jpg

The Michigan Land Use Institute has released this map showing the potential for passenger rail service between Ann Arbor and Traverse City.

(Courtesy of Michigan Land Use Institute)

Plans are in the works to explore a new passenger train connection between Ann Arbor and Traverse City.

The conceptual "A2TC Train" is the topic of a meeting being hosted by the Michigan Land Use Institute at 7 p.m. Monday at the State Theatre in Traverse City.

"Do you want a train from TC to Ann Arbor?" reads a flyer announcing the Feb. 16 event. "Learn how rail is taking off in the state and what we can do to make a connection to southern Michigan a reality."

Transportation leaders from across the state are expected to attend the meeting, which will include a discussion of other rail projects in the state.

Jim Bruckbauer of the Michigan Land Use Institute said his Traverse City-based group will be launching the A2TC project next week, and right now it's still just an idea.

"It will be quite a few years before there's any type of regular service," he said, noting a Michigan Department of Transportation feasibility study for passenger service to northern Michigan is expected to begin next year.

"That report should evaluate potential costs, operating structure, funding sources and ridership," Bruckbauer said.

He said they're looking at a Traverse City to Ann Arbor line in particular because the tracks are still owned by the state and, for the most part, are in pretty good shape.

A map of the A2TC route shows the train would stop in Cadillac, Mount Pleasant, Alma, Owosso and Howell on its way from Traverse City to Ann Arbor, with the option of continuing to Detroit from Ann Arbor.

MDOT is conducting the study next year because there was an overwhelming amount of interest in the idea when MDOT created the State Rail Plan back in 2011, Bruckbauer said. The top priority that came out of the public input sessions for that plan was a passenger connection to Traverse City, he said.

"It's all just exploratory right now," Bruckbauer said. "There are no funds committed for this. We're launching the idea and looking for feedback and questions from people in the communities all along the line. We see this as step one."

Ann Arbor area transportation leaders and city officials are reacting with enthusiasm to the idea of a train to Traverse City.

"Ann Arbor to Traverse City passenger rail service would be a game changer," said Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor. "It all starts with the WALLY. I'm looking forward to doing everything we can to make commuter rail a reality."

WALLY is the proposed commuter rail line between Ann Arbor and Howell that the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority and MDOT are studying right now.

The conceptual "A2TC Train" is the topic of a meeting being hosted by the Michigan Land Use Institute at 7 p.m. Monday at the State Theatre in Traverse City.

Separately, there are talks of getting Ann Arbor to Detroit commuter rail up and running in the next couple of years.

Michael Benham, an AAATA strategic planner who has taken a lead role on the WALLY project, said the A2TC Train is not an AAATA project.

"But it is public transit, and we support efforts to connect Ann Arbor to other areas of the state by public transportation," Benham said, noting the southern 26 miles of the A2TC route are the same as the WALLY route. "And so there would possibly be some sharing of resources, saving money for both projects."

Benham said he hadn't heard of the A2TC project until two weeks ago. He said there was a previous study of a short rail service in the Traverse City area, and this appears to be an extension of that work.

"There's a lot of enthusiasm and energy around the idea, so we want to keep the discussion moving along to action," Bruckbauer said.

Eli Cooper, Ann Arbor's transportation program manager, said the A2TC Train is a cool idea, and it's interesting to see how the local rail initiatives, including Ann Arbor to Detroit and Ann Arbor to Howell, might fit into a broader system.

"Many folks have planned for and talked about the opportunities for advancing railroad travel in the state and along key corridors," Cooper said. "Clearly, the interest in a car-free trip to Traverse City and all intermediate points would be a comfortable and convenient way for folks to travel to interesting and exciting regions of the state.

"Coupling expanded rail service with bike sharing, car sharing and local transit systems can help show how folks can appreciate parts of Michigan relying on a variety of means of travel. This system would complement, not replace, auto travel. It would be a great alternative for folks that would like to have options and choices."

The flyer announcing the Monday's meeting notes the rail discussion will be followed by a free showing of Alfred Hitchcock's "Strangers on a Train."

Ryan Stanton covers the city beat for The Ann Arbor News. Reach him at ryanstanton@mlive.com or 734-623-2529 or follow him on Twitter.