"People have grown very attached to both of these lines. We hear from passengers," Michigan Department of Transportation spokeswoman Janet Foran said. "People like having these lines intact, in place and in their cities. We're going to do everything we can to preserve this service."

Amtrak has been targeted for cuts by lawmakers in the past, "but the communities affected always rally to the cause," Foran said.

The Pere Marquette and Blue Water trains wouldn't run without a state contract, Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari said. He indicated it's unclear how service would be affected, however, as legislators aren't finished drawing up the budget for the fiscal year that starts Oct. 1.

Amtrak ridership hit all-time highs last year as gas prices jumped above $4 a gallon. When gas prices declined, ridership stayed relatively steady considering the poor economy, Amtrak officials said.

Michigan is among 15 states that pay Amtrak for service, including the Midwestern states of Illinois, Missouri and Wisconsin.

The Michigan Environmental Council said if the Amtrak contract is cut, the two rail lines likely would run fewer than seven days a week.

Ridership at Amtrak stations in Michigan

The number of people getting on and off Amtrak trains at Michigan stations in the 2008 fiscal year:

Albion …1,817
Ann Arbor … 148,594
Bangor …3,710
Battle Creek … 57,264
Birmingham … 19,714
Dearborn … 75,840
Detroit … 59,973
Dowagiac … 2,919
Durand …9,310
East Lansing … 51,012
Flint … 26,134
Grand Rapids … 57,465
Holland …40,463
Jackson … 27,902
Kalamazoo …119,121
Lapeer …7,473
New Buffalo … 3,297
Niles … 19,286
Pontiac …16,546
Port Huron … 14,115
Royal Oak …30,362
St. Joseph/Benton Harbor …8,521

Total: 800,838
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Source: Amtrak
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David Eggert can be reached at deggert(at)ap.org
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The transportation budget bill is Senate Bill 254.
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On the Net:
Michigan Legislature: http://www.legislature.mi.gov
Mackinac Center for Public Policy: http://www.mackinac.org
Michigan Environmental Council: http://www.environmentalcouncil.org