I've been looking for more information on the proposed NuUnion and Detroit Edison CU merger. I was finally able to find something on their website stating that the headquarters will be staying in Lansing and not moving to DECU's Plymouth HQ. Very happy to hear this. Now to see if it gets accepted.
Allegan is now open...and even more exciting, the street lights are up and working on Grand Ave. for the first time in 2 years!!! It looked really nice to see this morning.
I noticed on Friday night after Silver Bells that the new BWL chiller building off of Allegan had what looked like permanent lighting on the sides of the buliding and they were alternating colors as I rode by on CATA. Not a huge thing, but kinda interesting.
Bud Kouts Chevrolet is moving it's used car lot from the current site at Michigan Ave. and 127. Michigan Flyer is saying they might build a bus terminal that would include it's corporate offices, bus depot, parking and potentially a coffee shop. That would be a nice place to build a nice sized building.
The article also exhibited why I think the exisitence of Lansing Township is ridiculous. Bud Kouts used car lot is in Lansing Township but the main Bud Kouts across the street is in the city limits.
That is a really great idea - it'd be a nice sized building and really add a 'big city feel' to the area. It would also increase the visibility of the Flyer and make it a more likely choice. I have somewhat mixed feelings about the Flyer myself - I just wish they could somehow integrate it with Fly Lansing. There's got to be some sort of cross-promotion or something they could do instead of just making it so easy for Detroit to siphon off our air traffic.
I really like the flyer and I don't have a problem with it siphoning off of our air traffic from Lansing to Detroit. I've done that flight before and it has been faster and more reliable to take the flyer.
I don't really see the problem with it taking away service. There are some people who would rather stay on the ground if they have the opportunity. I think the commercial airport in Lansing is good and it has it's purpose. I don't know why a bus service and an airport can't coexist. They are both able to do things that the other can't.
For me, I choose the bus service because it's cheaper, more dependable (this is not a knock against the airport, just against flying in general), offers more choice in times, and at least seems more energy efficient.
However, I don't want to dwell on it too long, because it's here and it's nice that there is now another option for people to use when going to and coming from Lansing.
I don't see it as a problem because it takes away the traffic that would be on flights from Lansing to Detroit - I'd much rather take the bus than fly there as well. The issue is that the Flyer passengers are going to Detroit to use the airport. Detroit's airport. Not ours. The Flyer makes it a lot easier for people to say 'I'm just going to go to the Detroit airport instead of flying from Lansing.' I think that's what we mean when we say it's siphoning off business. The close proximity of Detroit's airport has always been the biggest factor holding back Lansing Airport's growth, and the Flyer just compounds the problem. Obviously it's needed, as Lansing only flies to a few destinations, so until the airport adds more destinations I think the service is great. I just would rather the people going to DTW on the Flyer would stay in Lansing and fly from here.
I can't imagine a lot of people use the Flyer to travel to Detroit as an end destination. As I understand it, the bus goes to the airport and no other destinations (except for stops on the way). So this isn't a Greyhound we're talking about. The whole purpose of the Flyer is to shuttle Lansing customers to the Detroit airport to fly from there as opposed to flying from Lansing. I might be wrong, and there may be a lot of people who take the bus from here to Detroit, get off at the airport and rent a car or take a cab or another bus around the city, but I'd bet that number is pretty small.
Comments
The article also exhibited why I think the exisitence of Lansing Township is ridiculous. Bud Kouts used car lot is in Lansing Township but the main Bud Kouts across the street is in the city limits.
http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20091201/NEWS03/912010318/1004/NEWS03
Micro, I completely agree with you on your thoughts about Lansing Township - especially in that area of town!
For me, I choose the bus service because it's cheaper, more dependable (this is not a knock against the airport, just against flying in general), offers more choice in times, and at least seems more energy efficient.
However, I don't want to dwell on it too long, because it's here and it's nice that there is now another option for people to use when going to and coming from Lansing.
I can't imagine a lot of people use the Flyer to travel to Detroit as an end destination. As I understand it, the bus goes to the airport and no other destinations (except for stops on the way). So this isn't a Greyhound we're talking about. The whole purpose of the Flyer is to shuttle Lansing customers to the Detroit airport to fly from there as opposed to flying from Lansing. I might be wrong, and there may be a lot of people who take the bus from here to Detroit, get off at the airport and rent a car or take a cab or another bus around the city, but I'd bet that number is pretty small.