As Thanksgiving approaches, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and Amtrak are preparing for increased rail travel. On Wednesday, November 26, 2025, MDOT staff will be available for media interviews at the Capital Area Multimodal Gateway in East Lansing. They will offer travel tips and information for holiday travelers. Media can also cover the departure of Amtrak’s Blue Water Service (train #365) to Chicago at 8:54 a.m.
In 2024, more than 17,000 passengers used Amtrak trains in Michigan during Thanksgiving. Nationally, Amtrak served over 1.1 million customers, a 4.2 percent increase from 2023.
To manage higher demand, Amtrak is assigning ambassadors and volunteers at select stations. Red Cap service employees will also assist passengers in the Amtrak Midwest network, which includes Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin. Many trains now have new Venture passenger cars with features such as Wi-Fi, wider aisles, and large windows…