Commuting to Ann Arbor by Train: Field Report
Temporarily finding ourselves without a running vehicle, I decided to try to commute to work without it. This is my account of the train commute from Hamtramck to Ann Arbor and back.
At 6:30 a.m., I headed out on bicycle to cover the four miles to the Detroit Amtrak Station. I took Holbrook West out of Hamtramck and turned South on Woodward. Averaging 10mph, I made it to Baltimore St. in plenty of time to lock my bike to a fence, buy a ticket, and catch the 7:23 train. Round trip fare on Monday was $27; on Tuesday $20.
Theoretically, I could've taken the Holbrook bus and transfered at Woodward, but I figured I had enough complication without involving DDOT.
Absent traffic on Jos. Campau and Woodward made cycling a breeze.
Since there are no bike racks at the Detroit depot, I locked my wheels up behind the dumpster hoping for the best. For whatever reason, the Detroit station limits access to the platform until just before the train comes. Riders have to file up on an extremely narrow flight of stairs or in an elevator that appears to hold only five people and their luggage. This day there were probably 50 people trying to get their luggage up to the train. Outside there's a ramp leading directly from the parking lot to the platform but it remained locked.
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Comments, Pingbacks:
Comment from: Tappie [Visitor]
Hello, Steven-
I enjoyed your mini documentary. Well done. I was in suspense, waiting to see if your bike was still there. I wonder, could you have taken you bike on the train as baggage?
Anyway, thanks for an enjoyable adventure.
Tom Pegan
Columbus OH
(Hamtramck native)
I enjoyed your mini documentary. Well done. I was in suspense, waiting to see if your bike was still there. I wonder, could you have taken you bike on the train as baggage?
Anyway, thanks for an enjoyable adventure.
Tom Pegan
Columbus OH
(Hamtramck native)
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08/02/06 @ 12:00
Comment from: Steven [Member] 
· http://hamtramckstar.com
· http://hamtramckstar.com
The second day crackheads did try to steal the bike. They got through the casing on my KryptoFlex cable but couldn't cut the braided cable inside. I'll post the photo tonight.
I don't suggest anyone leave a bicycle there.
I called about taking bicycles on the train and they only accept folding bicycles on this train. The operator told me all about how they have bicycle cars on the west coast. Great, that doesn't help us much.
I don't suggest anyone leave a bicycle there.
I called about taking bicycles on the train and they only accept folding bicycles on this train. The operator told me all about how they have bicycle cars on the west coast. Great, that doesn't help us much.
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08/02/06 @ 12:44
Comment from: Edward Vielmetti [Visitor] · http://vielmetti.typepad.com
The commute in the reverse direction, Ann Arbor to Detroit and return, is hopeless - the first train arrives way too late, and the return comes back way too early.
A 30 day rail pass is available ($999/mo, $709/mo off peak) which is still way, way, way too much for routine use.
A 30 day rail pass is available ($999/mo, $709/mo off peak) which is still way, way, way too much for routine use.
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08/02/06 @ 21:48
Comment from: Chris F [Visitor] · http://www.marp.org/
I recommend the 10-trip pass for $90. It expires after 45 days, but allows you lots of flexibility, and only costs $9 per trip. ($20-27 is a higher, last minute price depending on how full the train is. Booking even a few days in advance would get you a better price. I've gotten $12 roundtrip tickets in advance when the trains were not filled up yet. Getting the pass locks you in at a reasonable rate.)
After moving to Detroit from Ann Arbor, I did the DDoT-Amtrak-AATA commute to work for several weeks until my AA job ended. It made for longer days (at work from 8:45 to 6ish) but then I could leave early on Fridays.
It's definitely a shame there are no bike racks.
After moving to Detroit from Ann Arbor, I did the DDoT-Amtrak-AATA commute to work for several weeks until my AA job ended. It made for longer days (at work from 8:45 to 6ish) but then I could leave early on Fridays.
It's definitely a shame there are no bike racks.
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08/02/06 @ 22:56
Comment from: Steven [Member] · http://hamtramckstar.com
· http://hamtramckstar.com
A friend of mine was looking at coming in to to Ann Arbor from Jackson and it's impossible because of the odd arrival times.
I also saw the 10-ride-passes which seemed like a slightly better deal than their current pricing scheme. Bring on the commuter rail.
I also saw the 10-ride-passes which seemed like a slightly better deal than their current pricing scheme. Bring on the commuter rail.
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08/02/06 @ 22:59
Comment from: Steven [Member] · http://hamtramckstar.com
· http://hamtramckstar.com
Chris, thanks for sharing your expertise. For a $12 round trip it really starts to make sense. Also working four long days and one short is a great way to cope with the late return trip. I noticed there's the 1:22pm train going back to Detroit for that short day.
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08/02/06 @ 23:15
Comment from: Usman [Visitor]
Yeah, nice documentary. I've made the commute to/from Ann Arbor from/to Hamtramck multiple times since I started going to u of m. I've used Amtrak mostly during the fall/winter time. It saves a trip through I-94 in winter and provides a nice transition after two or three weeks on campus. Good hour to read book. Always book your ticket in advance. I've spent 10, 14, 20, 27 dollars for 1 way ticket. It probably costs 6 dollars of gas to go one way given your car does 20 mpg. The train from Chi. is late multiple times so I always check amtrak.com before leaving. Other times there is another train thats blocking the 1 track path and you have to wait 20-40 mins. I've never thought about taknig my bike from my house to det station... sounds too dangerous lol. I've done campus to A^2 station multiple times.
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08/03/06 @ 00:45
Comment from: Albin Burkacki [Visitor]
Thanks for the documentary. I've often thought of this but been to chicken to try yet. If you need a place for your bike, there is a lone bike rake in front of the State Police@Cadillac Place that seems like it would be safer. Also across from the Gym where Kwami does his workout. The State was going to do something better, someday.
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08/03/06 @ 08:06
Comment from: Steven [Member] · http://hamtramckstar.com
· http://hamtramckstar.com
I didn't realize there was a state police post over there, that's a good tip.
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08/03/06 @ 08:55
Comment from: Chris F [Visitor] · http://www.marp.org/
Good point, keep my girl Julie's number handy for finding out if the train from Chicago is late or not so you can decide whether to have an extra pint while waiting at Casey's (now smoke-free!) across from the AA station. You can reach her at 1-800-AMTRAK ;-)
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08/03/06 @ 09:02
Comment from: kena [Visitor]
Also, on the Ann Arbor side of the trip:
AATA route 1 will take you fairly close to the train station (and will connect with other routes at the downtown transit center).
The route crosses over the Broadway bridge. There are stops near the ends of the bridge for both directions of travel.
AATA route 1 will take you fairly close to the train station (and will connect with other routes at the downtown transit center).
The route crosses over the Broadway bridge. There are stops near the ends of the bridge for both directions of travel.
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08/03/06 @ 14:07
Comment from: leighton [Visitor] · http://leighton.livejournal.com/
Bikes should be welcome on trains, but I guess they are seen as competition.
I ride a bike from my truck to a NJ Transit station just outside of Newark when I want to go into NYC. It's a pain in the ass to climb a mountain bike out of a Freighliner, so I'm looking into a folding bike.
One time I forgot my bike lock and did not feel like riding back. So I wrapped a discarded chain loosely around the bike and came back 3 days later with my fingers crossed.
Bike was still there; the chain was gone.
I ride a bike from my truck to a NJ Transit station just outside of Newark when I want to go into NYC. It's a pain in the ass to climb a mountain bike out of a Freighliner, so I'm looking into a folding bike.
One time I forgot my bike lock and did not feel like riding back. So I wrapped a discarded chain loosely around the bike and came back 3 days later with my fingers crossed.
Bike was still there; the chain was gone.
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08/03/06 @ 19:14
Comment from: Steven [Member] · http://hamtramckstar.com
· http://hamtramckstar.com 
I think the crackheads were working on it for quite a little while. I believe they were using rocks as tools. I admit I was using a lightweight cable. I'll have to replace it with something a bit more rugged.
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08/03/06 @ 23:06
Comment from: Chris F [Visitor] · http://tickets.amtrak.com/itd/amtrak/WeeklySpecials
One last note: check the Weekly Specials for sale fares, they usually have good prices on non-weekend trips. For example, a few DET-ARB trips are $6 each way next week:
http://tickets.amtrak.com/itd/amtrak/WeeklySpecials
The crackheads probably just wanted the wire cable, not your bike, for its apparently lucrative resale value, hence the need for city lightpost tutus! ;)
http://tickets.amtrak.com/itd/amtrak/WeeklySpecials
The crackheads probably just wanted the wire cable, not your bike, for its apparently lucrative resale value, hence the need for city lightpost tutus! ;)
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08/04/06 @ 13:40
Comment from: leighton [Visitor] · http://leighton.livejournal.com/
Man, that NYC lock is worth more than my bike. I bet decent bolt cutters and two people could still walk off with the protected item though.
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08/04/06 @ 20:16