Michigan question (getting from Saginaw to Flint or Pontiac)

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Joined
May 1, 2017
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Pittsburgh, Pa.
An admittedly very narrowly focused question: Will be in Saginaw in a month or so and may need to get to Flint to catch the Blue Water to Chicago. Are there any practical transportation options between the two cities? I'm guessing no, but thought I'd throw it out there in the unlikely event there are practical options. Outside of that, it's finding a way to Pontiac for the Wolverine.
 
There is a bus, but it only runs once during the afternoon. You would miss your train.

I would probably call a few cab companies and inquire. It’s only about 30 miles. You might end up paying close to $75 or more, but there’s also the safety factor of going from door to door.
 
Just travel back in time! The last passenger train run between Saginaw and Flint was C&O's "Valley Queen" on 10/28/50. The last passenger train between Saginaw and Durand was a GTW mixed, discontinued on 1/1/58.
 
It looks like Indian Trails has a bus from Saginaw to Flint, but it gets you there in the afternoon, so it’s no good for the Blue Water. However, you can transfer buses at Flint and arrive in Pontiac at 4:15, which should be enough time to catch the 5:28 Wolverine departure for Chicago.

Seems like a bit of a roundabout way, but at least you can get there.

Indian Trails schedule
 
You used to be able to book Indian Trails as Thruway bus connections to Amtrak, though they removed the option when Indian Trails shut down for COVID and haven’t added it back despite resuming service. Saginaw actually shows up in the Amtrak system, but you can’t book anything to or from there. Though you should be able to book directly with Indian Trails and Amtrak..
 
You could go by bus from Saginaw to Kalamazoo via a transfer in Flint on Indian Trails. You would get in to Kalamazoo at 7:05 PM and could then take the 9:02 PM Wolverine to Chicago. You actually used to be able to book this on Amtrak.
 
Just travel back in time! The last passenger train run between Saginaw and Flint was C&O's "Valley Queen" on 10/28/50. The last passenger train between Saginaw and Durand was a GTW mixed, discontinued on 1/1/58.
If OP has a time machine, it would make more sense to take the New York Central through sleeper via train 352 to Jackson and the Valley Express to Chicago.
 
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