When it comes to transportation funding, most of the debate in Lansing is centered on roads. Often overlooked but equally important is the role railroads play in our economy, which is why I am working to expand rail service here in southwest Michigan.

This week the Michigan Department of Transportation agreed to formally request Amtrak add additional train service, with a train leaving Chicago’s Union Station at 10 p.m. every evening with a return trip leaving Kalamazoo at 6 a.m. every morning. This will make it easier for people who have to commute to work or who want to take the train down to catch a Cubs game and still come back on the same day.  Additional train service will also make it that much easier for people from Chicago to come up and visit southwest Michigan, which will be a big boost to our tourism industry.

Expanding passenger service, though, is only part of what we need to do to make southwest Michigan grow.  We also need to make sure freight lines are not shut down, as has recently been discussed.

At a time when manufacturing businesses are closing up shop en mass and moving to neighboring states or overseas, Michigan’s rail infrastructure is one of the few assets we can use to reliably out-compete other locations. Back when I worked as an economic developer, southwest Michigan’s easy access to rail lines was invaluable to attracting new businesses and retaining ones already here. As the agriculture industry continues to grow, that easy access will become even more important.

Once a train route is gone, it is very difficult to get it back. That is why it is so important to the economic future of southwest Michigan that we not only hold onto the rail service we already have but also expand.

I look forward to hearing your comments on these important issues.  Please feel free to contact me by calling (888) 373-0078 or e-mailing sharontyler@house.mi. gov.