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Michigan offers three Amtrak-operated passenger rail services, supported by MDOT. Together, these routes connect 22 communities across Michigan, Indiana and Illinois, linking some of the Midwest's most populated cities. With five combined daily round trips, the network serves approximately 700,000 passengers each year.
Check out these fast facts for a quick snapshot of each route, and visit our website for more details, including corridor mileage, average trip times and maps.
| Existing Services: Fast Facts | | Michigan Intercity Passenger Rail System Map (click to enlarge) | | |
Blue Water: Port Huron - Chicago Corridor
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Frequency: One daily round trip
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Stations: 11 stops, including Port Huron and East Lansing
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Ridership: Nearly 175,000 passengers in 2024
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Shared segment: Battle Creek to Chicago (shared with Wolverine service)
Pere Marquette: Grand Rapids - Chicago Corridor
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Frequency: One daily round trip
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Stations: Five stops, including Grand Rapids and Chicago
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Ridership: More than 90,000 passengers in 2024
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Shared segment: Porter to Chicago (shared with Blue Water service)
Wolverine: Detroit/Pontiac - Chicago Corridor
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Frequency: Three daily round trips
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Stations: 15 stops, including Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Chicago
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Ridership: More than 425,000 passengers in 2024, the most popular among the three services
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Speed: Up to 110 mph, making it one of the few corridors in the country designated as high-speed rail
| | Have you ridden one of Michigan's passenger rail services recently, or have ideas for improvements? We'd love to hear from you! Share your feedback on the corridors by submitting your comments through the forms available on our website! | | Enhancing Passenger Rail Services through FRA's Corridor ID Program | | | | Michigan's passenger rail corridors were among 69 corridors across 44 states selected for the FRA's Corridor ID Program, paving the way for service improvements that will enhance speed, reliability, travel options and convenience for travelers in the years ahead. | |
Michigan's Corridor ID Goals:
- Reliable on-time performance
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Optimized schedules for better connectivity within Michigan
- Increased frequencies:
- Wolverine Service: Three to six round trips
- Blue Water and Pere Marquette Services: One to two round trips
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Potential international extension of the Wolverine service to Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| Explore FRA's Corridor ID Story Map for more details on the Corridor ID Program, its three-step phased approach, interactive maps and planned improvements for Michigan's corridors. | | |
Since spring 2025, MDOT has been working toward completing Step 1 (Scoping and Program Initiation), setting the stage for detailed planning and development in Step 2.
Step 1 Deliverables:
To meet FRA requirements and prepare for Step 2, MDOT submitted key documents for all four corridors, including the potential Coast-to-Coast corridor, for which they aim to apply for a future Corridor ID opportunity.
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Project Management Plans: Outlining how MDOT will manage the Step 1 grants and coordinate efforts.
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Gap Analyses:
Identifying and reviewing existing studies to support the Service Development Plans (SDPs).
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Statement of Works:
Detailed instructions on how MDOT will complete the SDPs in Step 2.
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Schedules: Estimated timelines for SDP completions with stakeholder engagement.
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Budgets:
Detailed breakdown of roles and hours needed for delivery.
For more information on SDPs and the Corridor ID Program, check out our website and FAQ section at the bottom of the homepage.
| | Outreach and Early Engagement | | |
This past fall, MDOT began meeting with key stakeholders to share the vision for Michigan's Passenger Rail Future Program and gather input. Highlights include:
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Initial meetings with seven host railroads to align on next steps.
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Collaboration with The Right Place (Grand Rapids) to explore the Coast-to-Coast route from Grand Rapids to Detroit and its opportunities.
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Presentation to the Michigan Legislature on Oct. 29, outlining plans for enhanced service and a potential Coast-to-Coast rail route from Holland/Grand Rapids through Lansing and Ann Arbor to Detroit.
As planning continues, MDOT invites stakeholders and the public to stay engaged. Interested in learning more or scheduling a meeting? Contact our team.
| | With Step 1 nearly complete, Michigan is preparing for Step 2 (Service Development Planning), anticipated to launch in late spring 2026. This phase will focus on nine core tasks that must be incorporated into the state's four SDPs, covering everything from project administration and stakeholder engagement to financial planning and environmental analysis. | | | |
Nine Core Task Names of the Step 2 FRA Corridor ID Program:
- Project Administration and Management
- Draft Purpose and Need and Stakeholder Coordination
- Alternative Analysis
- Transportation Planning
- Environmental Planning
- Financial Planning and Economic Evaluation
- Governance Structure
- Phased Implementation Plan
- Service Development Plan
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Key activities MDOT will prioritize in 2026 include:
- Begin with Tasks 1-5, focusing on:
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Project administration and management frameworks.
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Drafting Purpose and Need statements for each corridor.
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Engaging stakeholders and communities across the state.
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Conducting operations and market analysis to evaluate different routes and service options.
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Initiating near-term planning for the Wolverine corridor, focusing on projects already funded and supported by stakeholders.
- Key questions for each corridor:
- Who does the corridor serve?
- What are the goals of the new or improved service?
- Who are the stakeholders?
- What alternatives can achieve these goals?
| As Step 2 begins next year, MDOT will concentrate on project setup, strategic planning, stakeholder engagement and operational analysis, while prioritizing near-term projects. These efforts will answer critical questions about service goals, routes and community needs, laying the foundation for Michigan's four SDPs. This framework will prepare each corridor for successful advancement into Step 3 (Project Development), moving toward a rail system that is more connected, reliable and ready for the future. | |
Peter Anastor
Director, MDOT Office of Rail
Peter Anastor serves as the director of the MDOT Office of Rail, overseeing Michigan’s rail system to ensure it meets the state’s economic needs while maintaining safety for passengers, the public and railroad employees. He also is actively involved with the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission (MiPRC), supporting regional collaboration to advance passenger rail service across the Midwest. Peter brings more than 20 years of public sector experience, including prior leadership roles at the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Michigan Economic Development Corp., as well as prior service as a budget analyst in Michigan’s State Budget Office.
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Aaron Bowe, P.E.
Project Manager, HNTB
Aaron Bowe, P.E., serves as the program management consultant (PMC) project manager for HNTB, leading coordination among MDOT, the FRA and the subconsultant teams to advance Michigan’s intercity passenger rail corridors. He is a railroad engineer with 18 years of experience spanning freight, passenger, commuter and transit systems, including extensive work with Class I railroads and major public transit agencies. Aaron has supported more than 15 intercity rail corridors and played key roles in projects, such as the Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago service (The Borealis) and Colorado’s Front Range Passenger Rail effort. His expertise with the FRA’s Corridor ID program, combined with his leadership in managing project objectives, schedules and quality assurance, helps ensure successful delivery for MDOT.
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| For general input or questions about the program, contact us through our online form! | | | | |
