Over the last five years, Michigan has made big strides in train transportation. We’ve built new, modern train stations in Dearborn, Troy, and Pontiac, and others are in the works for Ann Arbor and Detroit. The state now owns the entire track west of Dearborn to the Indiana border, and we’re preparing to restore regular commuter rail service between Detroit, Ann Arbor and possibly Howell.

A recent Detroit Free Press article prompted controversy by highlighting the fact that in preparation for commuter rail service, the state of Michigan has been leasing passenger rail cars from a private company. Some legislators have seized on the issue and urged the state to give up the railcars.

We, too, regret that commuter rail service has been delayed. Yet we believe the solution is not to give up the rail cars, but to accelerate our efforts to implement commuter rail. The primary remaining barrier to commuter rail service in Michigan is the lack of funds to operate it, but the new Regional Transit Authority could provide a source of funding as early as next year. If the railcars are given up, capital costs would probably be far higher, and the start of service could be significantly delayed.

It is also worth emphasizing that the money we have spent on these railcars is far from being exorbitant. New commuter rail cars cost as much as $3 million, and the state of California recently paid $1 million per car for smaller, single-level railcars. By contrast, Michigan has spent only $500,000 per car, including the lease costs. More than two-thirds of that money stayed here in Michigan, going to local businesses that refurbished the cars and developed valuable expertise in doing so.

We urge Governor Snyder, the Legislature, and Michigan Department of Transportation Director Kirk Steudle not to end the state’s lease of the railcars, and to instead work to accelerate Michigan commuter rail to the best of their abilities. The economic future of our state relies on improved public transportation. This is no time to turn back.