Michigan Youth Political Alliance

As it stands, the State of Michigan is undergoing serious infrastructure problems due to the stress put on our roads by drivers.In light of this and the recent rise in concern over pollution created by automobile emissions there have been increased calls for expansion of mass transit in Michigan, with some even calling for a light-rail system to connect major metropolitan areas.

Unfortunately, as nice as a light-rail system would be for Michigan, it is an unfeasible concept. For one thing, Michigan lacks the kind of room within its budget to fund such a system, which would have immediate costs greater than that of maintaining our current transportation system. We are barely getting by as a state as it is, especially considering the not so long ago budget crisis the state had to deal with.

Additionally,successful mass transit requires enough ridership to justify its existence. One reason mass transit is non-existent outside of Ann Arbor in Michigan is that people don’t feel terribly safe using it. I’m certain most people would have apprehensions about being with everyone else and having to walk to destinations from transit stops in Detroit, for instance.

Speaking of distance, most of Metro Detroit( and arguably Michigan in general) is not designed in ways that are pedestrian and mass transit friendly. Suburban sprawl and an absence of sidewalks all but force people to use cars in the absence of an alternative.
I personally like the idea of mass transit- It’s effective and eases traffic when correctly implemented. However it will take a number of changes and reforms in order to be able to do anything in Michigan. Firstly, in order for anything of worth beyond a city level transit system to be created, we need to fix the hub of SW Michigan- Detroit. Until Detroit is no longer understandably perceived as ‘dangerous’ and as a place one can’t walk around in, the major center for mass transit won’t emerge and people will still be car-dependent to go there. Secondly, the Government of Michigan will need to figure out what it is willing to cut in order to make space for MDOT, as it will most likely have to expand in some way to facilitate mass transit. The government should also consider allowing more private enterprises assist in maintaining infrastructure, allowing for the creation of toll roads that will help pay off for road maintenance.

I don’t think Michigan should pursue a light-rail system, though. There is unlikely to be much help in funding it, it will take many years to pay for itself( if at all), and if Amtrak is any indication, it will likely serve as a constant drain on State funds. It would be better to establish regional bus systems to reduce drivers to those taking long-distance trips, who could park in garages near bus stations and go mass transit from there. It isn’t optimal in terms of pollution reduction but it is the best the state can realistically muster. As a nation, we have been road-farers for the past half-century, so it is best to take mass transit in small steps rather than adopt a wholesale European or Japanese approach to mass transit.