Audio Clip
By Rick Pluta
Governor Rick Snyder said developing faster and more-reliable rail service is critical to Michigan's economic future. The governor delivered the opening address to a conference on improving train service in Michigan.
Governor Snyder is trying to build support for an infrastructure strategy that includes spending a lot more money on higher-speed passenger rail service and a faster, bigger network to transport agricultural and manufactured goods.
He said the current system of rails and roads will not be able to keep up with growing demand. He said a record 800 thousand Michigan riders used Amtrak last year. That number is expected to approach a million in 2012.
"Rail can solve some real problems. It can add to sustainability. It can be economically efficient."
The governor envisions Michigan as the center of a Midwest-to-Canada business corridor that accounts for a third of North America's economic activity.
Republican leaders, though, say many taxpayers are still not convinced they should pay more to build a thriving rail network.
Copyright 2010, MPRN
Governor Rick Snyder said developing faster and more-reliable rail service is critical to Michigan's economic future. The governor delivered the opening address to a conference on improving train service in Michigan.
Governor Snyder is trying to build support for an infrastructure strategy that includes spending a lot more money on higher-speed passenger rail service and a faster, bigger network to transport agricultural and manufactured goods.
He said the current system of rails and roads will not be able to keep up with growing demand. He said a record 800 thousand Michigan riders used Amtrak last year. That number is expected to approach a million in 2012.
"Rail can solve some real problems. It can add to sustainability. It can be economically efficient."
The governor envisions Michigan as the center of a Midwest-to-Canada business corridor that accounts for a third of North America's economic activity.
Republican leaders, though, say many taxpayers are still not convinced they should pay more to build a thriving rail network.
Copyright 2010, MPRN
