Columbus, OH – As All Aboard Ohio continues its 50-year mission to advocate for a robust, connected Midwest passenger rail network, a new report from our neighbors to the north highlights the immense public appetite for intercity train travel.

The report, was prepared by the Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities for Michigan’s North+South Passenger Rail Project and offers a detailed look into the travel preferences of Midwest residents. The survey was designed to gather public input to help shape a future passenger rail service connecting Northern Michigan with communities in Mid and Southeast Michigan.  

The proposed North+South Passenger Rail Project aims to reconnect Southeast Michigan, Mid-Michigan, and the northwest Lower Peninsula with intercity rail service stretching from Detroit and Ann Arbor up to Traverse City and Petoskey. Public interest in restoring passenger service along this route has been building for over a decade; during outreach for the 2011 Michigan State Rail Plan, a rail link to Traverse City emerged as the single most requested new service in the state.

Key Survey Findings

The report reinforces the interest in regional passenger rail. The statewide survey received a massive public response, with 21,786 submissions representing every one of Michigan's 83 counties.  

Here are some of the standout insights:

• Strong Demand for Leisure Travel: A significant 67% of respondents indicated they would use the rail service for occasional trips, while 28% would be interested in using it for both occasional travel and regular commuting.  

• Top Reasons to Ride: Travelers are looking to use the train for vacations, entertainment, outdoor recreation, and visiting family. In fact, 49% of respondents stated they would travel by train to see family.  

• A Year-Round Travel Solution: While Summer (26.19%) and Fall (26.94%) were the most popular seasons for potential travel, there was relatively consistent interest across all four seasons, including Winter (23.33%) and Spring (23.54%).  

• Weekend Getaways: Friday through Monday were identified as the days respondents were most likely to ride, indicating strong potential for weekend tourism.  

• Quality of Life Benefits: When asked why they prefer traveling by train, 80% of respondents highlighted the appeal of having "down-time" (the ability to read, sleep, watch movies, etc.). Additionally, avoiding the stress of driving in bad weather was the third most common reason.  

What Matters Most to Future Riders?

For transit advocates and policymakers across the Midwest, understanding user preferences is critical to implementing successful passenger rail lines. Respondents ranked the following factors as the most important when choosing to travel by train:  

1. Ticket Cost: This was the highest priority for future riders. Encouragingly, 72% of respondents said they would be willing to pay around $40 for a trip equivalent to the current Amtrak route between Detroit and Chicago.  

2. Travel Time: Competitive travel times compared to driving ranked as the second most important factor.  

3. Travel Experience: The overall travel experience ranked third. Passengers highly value the ability to get up and walk around during the trip.  

Moving the Midwest Forward

The findings are an indicator that Midwesterners are eager for transportation alternatives that are safe, reliable, and comfortable. More than 76% of those surveyed have already traveled by train in the United States, proving that familiarity with passenger rail is already high.  

As All Aboard Ohio works alongside regional coalitions to expand transit options and capitalize on federal Corridor ID program funding, data provides a blueprint for what future riders expect from our transportation infrastructure.  

Cover photo by George Luchs (flickr)