A coalition of government and business leaders and other interested groups and individuals has worked for more than two years to develop a commuter rail project – the Washtenaw and Livingston Line – to this point. In order for the project to move forward, a more formal organization was needed to pursue and receive funding, negotiate agreements and coordinate implementation of the commuter rail plan. In response to requests from local and county officials involved in the coalition, the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority has agreed to serve as the designated authority for the WALLY commuter rail project.
Project Overview:
WHAT IS WALLY?
WALLY is a proposed north-south commuter rail service between Ann Arbor and Howell. The name WALLY is short for the Washtenaw and Livingston Line. The end-points for the service (Ann Arbor and Howell) are located in Washtenaw and Livingston counties.
WHERE WILL WALLY OPERATE?
WALLY service will operate between Howell, Michigan AND Ann Arbor, Michigan . WALLY stations will be located along the rail line in Whitmore Lake, Hamburg Township, and Genoa Township. Possible station sites have been identified and are shown on here. Station sites are currently undergoing planning and environmental reviews.
WHO WILL OPERATE WALLY SERVICE?
The service will be operated by the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority using a purchase of service agreement. This involves contracting with a railroad operator to provide the service. It is likely that the Michigan Department of Transportation will be the contracting agency on behalf of AATA.
I HAVE RIDDEN METRO SERVICES IN LARGE CITIES – IS THIS WHAT THE WALLY TRAIN WILL BE?
Most large cities have rail services popularly known as metro or rapid transit service – but technically referred to as Heavy Rail transit. The term Heavy Rail refers to the heavy volume of traffic these lines are capable of handing. Heavy rail transit uses fast electrically powered cars that travel on exclusive right of way – often located in a subway tunnel or on an elevated structure. Stations are generally close together, averaging about a mile apart. Heavy Rail is very costly because of expensive infrastructure. Examples of Heavy Rail include the Washington DC Metro, New York City subway, and the San Francisco BART.
IS WALLY COMMUTER RAIL, LIGHT RAIL, SUBWAY OR WHAT?
WALLY is a commuter rail service. A commuter rail line typically consists of a locomotive pulling passenger cars. Commuter rail lines are generally 25 to 50 miles long with stations about 5 miles apart. Most commuter rail lines are designed to get people to and from work, providing an alternative to congested freeway travel.
ISN’T COMMUTER RAIL JUST ANOTHER FLAVOR-OF-THE-MONTH, FAD?
Commuter rail is a well established mode of transportation that is an efficient and comfortable way to get people to and from work. Many systems, such as New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Chicago have been in place for over one hundred years. In the past 10 years, many other cities have implemented or expanded their commuter rail networks as alternatives to congested highways and high gas prices. Commuter rail projects have been implemented recently in Nashville, Portland, Trenton, Albuquerque, Oceanside and Salt Lake City. Others are being developed in Denton, Texas, Sonoma County, California; Austin, Texas and more.
IS WALLY DIFFERENT FROM LIGHT RAIL?
WALLY is not light rail. Light Rail, also called the modern trolley or streetcar, is used in urban areas with significant population centers or travel corridors. Light Rail is powered by an overhead wire and is designed to have stations every half-mile along its line. In most situations, light rail has a dedicated right-of-way. Unlike commuter rail service, light rail trains cannot share tracks used by freight trains.
WHEN WILL WALLY SERVICE BEGIN?
An evaluation study conducted by R.L. Banks and Associates concluded that, under optimistic circumstances, service on the commuter rail system might be initiated within a 16-month period, but that the timeline is “highly subject to change, depending on priorities, ease/difficulty in obtaining funding and in decisions by other parties beyond WALLY’s control.”
HOW LONG WILL THE TRAIN TAKE TO GET FROM HOWELL TO ANN ARBOR?
About 37 minutes between Ann Arbor and Howell.
WHAT WILL THE FARE BE TO RIDE WALLY?
The fare has not been determined at this time. The fare will be proposed once operating costs are finalized, and the final decision will be made by the AATA board of directors after public hearings are completed. We would expect free transfers to AATA buses to be included in the fare.
AT WHAT SPEEDS WILL THE WALLY TRAINS TRAVEL?
The WALLY trains will travel at speeds of up to 60 mph.
WHAT IS BEING DONE TO MAKE SURE THAT GRADE CROSSINGS ARE SAFE?
The Michigan Department of Transportation Rail Freight Services and Safety Division has the legislated responsibility for grade crossing safety. They will evaluate each crossing to examine any increased risks that might be incurred by the new service and develop a plan to address those risks.
HOW WILL I GET FROM THE ANN ARBOR STATION TO WHERE I WORK?
AATA Buses will meet each WALLY train at the WALLY Ann Arbor station and will service major employment centers.
WHAT IF I NEED TO LEAVE WORK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY AND THERE ARE NO TRAINS SCHEDULED DURING THIS TIME? (GUARANTEED RIDE HOME)
All WALLY monthly pass holders will be automatically enrolled in a free Guaranteed Ride Home program. In the event of a personal emergency, monthly pass holders will be reimbursed for a taxi-cab ride home. The Guaranteed Ride Home service may be used up to six times per year but no more than twice in one month.
WHO IS SUPPORTING OR PROMOTING WALLY?
A broad range of government, business, environmental and community-based organizations have given their full support to the WALLY project. These include the University of Michigan, the City of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Area Transportation Study, Washtenaw County, and the City of Howell.
HOW CAN I SHOW MY SUPPORT FOR WALLY
BECOME A VOLUNTEER, AND E-MAIL OR WRITE YOUR SUPPORT…..We encourage you to support this project by staying involved and voicing your support to your local community leaders, elected officials, and the Michigan Department of Transportation.
HOW CAN I KEEP INFORMED ABOUT WALLY’S PROGRESS?
We will continue to provide PROJECT UPDATES via this website. You may also join our WALLY Coalition e-mail list by sending an e-mail to: Wally@theride.org
Project Need:
WHY IS THE WALLY SERVICE NEEDED?
There are two principal reasons for developing the WALLY service: ease traffic congestion on U.S. 23 and promote economic development in Livingston and Washtenaw counties. WALLY offers a number of environmental benefits as well, and will help us become less dependent on foreign oil.
• Ease Traffic Congestion
Anyone who has driven on US-23 between Howell and Ann Arbor knows about the congestion between the two cities during commute times. Congestion has been a problem for years . MDOT determined that adding a third lane to US-23 would cost an estimated $500 million, an amount well beyond any budget. WALLY is being developed as a cost-effective alternative to serving commuters who travel the busy US-23 corridor between Howell and Ann Arbor.
• Create Economic Development Opportunities
Every community of every size across the country is looking to attract new jobs, especially high paying jobs. There are many factors that go into corporate decisions on where to locate or expand, including economic and quality of life factors. When companies evaluate an area, one factor is the quality and accessibility of transit service and rail transit is a major plus. Many businesses know rail transit will increase access to their customers and to their employees, and rail transit will provide their employees more housing options and communities to choose where to live.
• Increase Environmental Sustainability
Compared to automobile travel, rail travel uses approximately one-fifth of the energy per passenger mile. Additionally, reduced vehicle travel and traffic congestion will lead to cleaner air, reduced carbon emissions and a greener region.
WHO WILL RIDE OR BENEFIT FROM WALLY?
WALLY will benefit anyone who commutes between Howell and Ann Arbor. This includes the people riding WALLY and those commuters who DRIVE U.S. 23 every day. In addition, Wally benefits everyone in the community by promoting sound development patterns and generating environmental benefits.
HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL RIDE WALLY?
The ridership projections estimate 1,200 commuters will ride WALLY every weekday.
ISN’T THE POPULATION TOO LOW TO SUPPORT ANY KIND OF TRANSIT SERVICE OUTSIDE OF ANN ARBOR?
Commuter rail is particularly well-suited for the U.S. 23 corridor. The communities between Howell and Ann Arbor attract workers from a wide geographic area. The increase in gas prices has emphasized how costly it is to make a daily commute by car. For many, transportation costs are a decisive factor in whether it is possible to accept a job in a new location. Commuter rail addresses this problem by providing a link between widely dispersed residential areas and concentrated employment centers.
WHY INVEST IN COMMUTER RAIL IF ONLY PEOPLE ON THE TRAIN WILL BENEFIT?
Commuter rail benefits much more than its riders. WALLY will benefit those who continue to use U.S. 23 by reducing traffic congestion. By taking more vehicles off the road, WALLY will also help reduce gasoline consumption and vehicle emissions, which benefits the environment. And the economic impact of WALLY will benefit communities along the route.
IF THE TRACKS ARE ALREADY IN PLACE – WHY IS IT TAKING SO LONG FOR THE TRAIN TO BEGIN OPERATIONS?
The needs of a commuter rail operation are different from freight. So although the presence of existing infrastructure gives commuter rail projects a running start, there is still much to be done in terms of planning and design of physical improvements, as well as obtaining the funding commitments needed to sustain the service.
Alternatives to WALLY - FAQs
WHY NOT PROVIDE THE SERVICE USING BUSES INSTEAD?
Buses were considered but because they would be stuck in traffic on U.S. 23 with all other traffic, they are not as appealing an alternative as WALLY.
In addition, WALLY represents a unique opportunity to develop a very appealing alternative to driving on U.S. 23 while also generating economic development for the region. This opportunity became evident when a combination of factors came together including community support, existence of the rail line and more.
WHY NOT BUILD SOMETHING USING NEW TECHNOLOGY LIKE MAGLEV OR THE INTERSTATE TRAVELER INSTEAD OF USING COMMUTER RAIL?
Technologies like maglev and Interstate Traveler are meant for longer distances, such as Detroit to Chicago, than the Ann Arbor-Howell commute that WALLY is proposing.
WHY NOT SIMPLY ADD MORE CAR LANES TO U.S. 23?
Adding lanes is significantly more costly than building commuter rail stations. The Michigan Department of Transportation estimates that adding a third lane to U.S. 23 would cost approximately $500 million, while R. L. Banks, a leading passenger rail consulting firm, estimates WALLY capital costs will be $32 million.
Planning Process:
WHAT IS AATA’S ROLE IN MOVING WALLY FORWARD?
The AATA has assumed responsibility for leading the project and working with communities along the WALLY route, MDOT, and Great Lakes Central Railroad. AATA is providing technical support for service and station planning, and as a public agency, can apply for the government grants needed to pay for some of the improvements necessary to upgrade the line, stations and equipment.
IS THE WALLY PROJECT ALIGNED WITH OTHER TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUTER RAIL PROJECTS BEING DISCUSSED IN THIS AREA?
The WALLY project is working closely with the Michigan Department of Transportation and other local planning authorities to ensure that the project becomes an integral part of regional and statewide transit plans.
Financial FAQ’s:
HOW MUCH WILL WALLY COST TO BUILD?
Some major costs can be avoided because the tracks exist and are used every day by the Great Lakes Central Railroad for freight operations. What needs to be built are some simple stations and parking for WALLY patrons, improvements to the tracks and signals for passenger operation, and the acquisition (through lease or purchase) and preparation of the cars for passenger service.
Cost estimates from R. L. Banks, a leading passenger rail consulting firm, stated that capital costs will be $32 million, based on preliminary estimates. As the project gets into detailed engineering, these costs may change.
HOW MUCH WILL WALLY COST TO OPERATE?
Initial estimates of about $7 million for annual operations were developed by the R.L. Banks Study, based on an assumed service level of four trains per day in each direction. All public transit services, like WALLY, use a combination of passenger fares and government grants to cover operating expenses. A more accurate estimate of WALLY’s exact operating costs will depend on details regarding insurance, operator fees and other factors.
WHERE WILL FUNDING COME FROM?
There are several sources of federal and state grant funds available for capital improvements (which includes rolling equipment, stations, and track). Most operating funds will come primarily from fares, as well as state and local sources.
In June members of the governments and organizations organized though the WALLY Coalition, selected (through a competitive bid process) the firm R.L. Banks and Associates to evaluate existing planning efforts and evaluate project. feasibility. The results of this effort are available below. Please note that the report presents recommendations based on the project scope as of February, 2008. Elements of this scope are being reevaluated as current planning efforts progress.
