The arrival this week of Detroit's first QLine street car is a big deal! It's also a major step forward for the $140 million M-1 rail project. When the 3 mile system is up and running next year, it promises to be a great transportation option for the downtown Woodward corridor. It also has the potential to be an economic and psychological boost for this region.
The QLine car is state-of-the-art. It will hold about 125 people, has Wi-Fi and will travel about 35 miles per hour. A multitude of tests on the rail will continue before the system becomes fully operational to the public. But this is a good visible sign of what the future may hold for Southeast Michigan.
It's no secret that our area lacks the kind of mass transit rail system that exists in many world-class cities around the nation. But the successful public-private partnership behind the M-1 Rail is hopefully changing our city for the better. We encourage our leaders and residents to be bold and visionary. Just imagine if one day soon the QLine cars ran all the way up Woodward Avenue to Pontiac. That could link communities together like never before. It could also help create more jobs and development and provide sorely needed transportation options for those who don't drive or prefer not to.
Detroit is on the move and the delivery of the first QLine car is proof that even better days are ahead.
I'm Mike Murri, Vice President & General Manager
Broadcast: September 15 - 18, 2016
