by mdvle
Tadman wrote:I disagree on number three. There is no rule that says Amtrak has to connect with Via in Detroit.Never said there was (*).
There are however cost advantages to sharing a station, both in ongoing operations and in the construction costs.
Tadman wrote: And I'm not sure what the state of Michigan gets to say about this, if the deal is between VIA, Ford, and CP.While Ford has indicated a willingness, perhaps even a preference for train service to return to MCS that is a very different thing to Ford actually putting up any money. Given that the last I head Ford was requesting money just to move into MCS I don't know that they would foot the cost of a VIA/Ontario station and the required customs facilities, and there would certainly be political issues on the Canadian side of the border if VIA or Ontario were paying...
Which leaves either Amtrak (unlikely) or the State of Michigan, and I only see the State getting involved if like I said the cost could be covered in an overall Amtrak returning to MCS cost.
Tadman wrote: Can you really imagine Michigan declining this operation because they want to force Via to use that dumpster fire of a depot in New Center? That place is utterly disgusting.Again, nobody saying that. I mentioned above far more likely that such a service would use Dearborn if MCS wasn't available. But that would be a long shot given how long the train would be in the US without hitting customs/immigration, or you return to doing it on the train which I don't see starting again.
* - having said that, there are opportunities to in essence recreate the Toronto - Chicago train albeit using a different route by having this hypothetical Detroit/Canada service make a connection. In fact, if a miracle happens and the high speed rail went ahead and gave us the estimated 2 hour Windsor - Toronto there is no reason there couldn't be 2 Chicago - Toronto services daily. Michigan might like this if it reduced the subsidy that I assume they are paying for the existing Wolverine service.