Funding for the state match of the Midwest Connect step 2 planning has been secured through a partnership between Indiana and Ohio communities. A total $650,000 has been secured for the route which runs from Chicago, Ft. Wayne, Lima, Columbus, and Pittsburgh

Access Ohio 2050, the state’s long-range transportation plan, is beginning its second round of public feedback sessions and community members are invited to participate. Results so far show passenger rail is a priority for Ohioans, especially young ones, and as planning progresses advocates will continue to need to push to ensure plans include passenger rail.

The Ohio Rail Development Commission shared that it sent Phase 1 Corridor ID draft reports to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for comment prior to final submission according to a September 18th meeting. This is for the initial phase of two projects, the Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, Cleveland and Cleveland, Toledo, Detroit passenger rail corridors

State-supported passenger rail services reach nearly half of all residents, jobs, and students in the country and generate billions in economic value.

A new report focuses in on benefits that passenger trains are bringing state economies. Passenger rail could be a major driver of economic activity for Ohio based on results for other state's highlighted in the report.