Michigan authority eyes commuter-rail service between Detroit, Ann Arbor

The Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan (RTA) late last week approved a plan to implement 38-mile commuter-rail service between Detroit and Ann Arbor, Mich.

The agency is incorporating the costs of operating the service into its November millage request, The Detroit News reported. If the RTA's request is granted, service could begin around 2022, the newspaper said.

The service would use existing Amtrak lines and would connect to Detroit's QLINE streetcar line, which is still under construction. The annual operating costs of the commuter-rail service would be between $11 million and $19 million.

In addition, starting up the service and building a maintenance facility would require another $130 million, according to the newspaper.