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Amtrak celebrates 35 years in Mid-Michigan

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

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Marc Jacobson
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FLINT (WJRT) -- (10/21/09) -- Amtrak's Blue Water Line celebrates 35 years of service today.

The train route takes passengers from Port Huron to Chicago, with several Mid Michigan stops.

"It's a direct connection between Port Huron and Chicago. Amtrak's Blue Water Line is celebrating its 35th year," Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari said.

"What it really speaks to is the partnership we have here in Flint with the MTA, with the state over this route and all the people who have supported it over the years."

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The Blue Water Line makes several Mi-Michigan stops, including Lapeer, Flint, and Durand. Last year alone, 132,000 passengers hopped on board.

"We've had a lot of response to the schedule we've put in place, which makes us a Michigan-oriented train; starting in Michigan in the morning, getting to Chicago by noon, giving people four hours there or overnight there, and getting back the next day," said Magliari.

Flint Convention and Visitors Bureau President Jerry Preston says the route has also helped Genesee County's tourism efforts. "We have a wonderful Amtrak station here. It's a great way for folks from Chicago to come here for the weekend. Jump on the train Friday night, spend the weekend here, and head back home Sunday afternoon."

Passengers say the Blue Water Line offers a convenient, and often a more cost effective way to travel. "It's just cheaper and easier than driving around Chicago. It can get so crazy," passenger Larkin Brown said.

Depending on the time of travel, a passenger can often get a round trip ticket from Flint to Chicago for around $60. Right now, the Blue Water Line runs once a day, but that could change down the road.

"We find the more frequencies there are, the more ridership there is because people don't have to change their schedules to ride the train. So we'd like to add frequencies," Magliari said.

With support from the state, the Blue Water Line has managed to survive tough economic times.

"We do subsidize, along with the federal government, the line. We'll continue to do that. It's had 35 years of success. We're hoping it has another 35, easily," Lt. Gov. John Cherry told ABC12's Marc Jacobson.

The Blue Water Line makes several other Michigan stops, including Kalamazoo and New Buffalo.

MORE: Amtrak Blue Water Line on the Web