AATA agrees to become the authority for the WALLY commuter rail project

The proposed commuter rail service is expected to operate between Ann Arbor and Howell along the Great Lakes Central Railroad lines.

According to Board Chair David Nacht, “AATA is committed to putting forward a serious effort to obtain federal funds to make this idea a reality. We handle over 5 million trips per year. We are honored to be entrusted with establishing the first commuter train service in Ann Arbor in decades.”

U.S. Congressman John Dingell previously told members of the coalition that a designated authority eligible to receive state and federal funding is needed in order to request funds for the project.

The resolution authorizes AATA to serve as the designated authority for the WALLY project, and it will also allow AATA to complete the necessary environmental assessments to fulfill federal and state regulations.

Ted Annis, chair of the board’s Planning and Development Committee, said, “A considerable amount of work will need to be done before this rail service can begin, including negotiation of agreements and funding for equipment purchase, capital improvements to tracks and equipment, station construction and the operation of service.

Various sources of grant funding for capital expenses are potentially available; however, the service will require operating funds, some or all of which will need to come from local sources, in addition to passenger fares.”

Insurance and regulatory compliance are other areas that will need to be addressed.

In terms of a timeline for the project, an evaluation study conducted by R.L. Banks and Associates, a leading passenger rail consulting firm, concluded that, under optimistic circumstances, service on the commuter rail system might be initiated within a 16-month period, but that the course of the timeline is “highly subject to change, depending upon priorities, ease/difficulty in obtaining funding and in decisions by other parties beyond WALLY’s control.”

The WALLY Coalition, which has been working on the project for more than two years, includes representatives from the cities of Ann Arbor and Howell, Washtenaw and Livingston counties, the University of Michigan, WATS, the Michigan Department of Transportation, Northfield and Hamburg townships, the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority, Washtenaw Community College, St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, local Chambers of Commerce, AATA and other interested groups and individuals from throughout the WALLY proposed service area.

The latest information on AATA routes, schedules and detours is available at 734.996.0400 and on the AATA Routes and Schedules page.