Today, Amtrak’s 55th anniversary isn’t all that’s being celebrated. The U.S. is experiencing a veritable resurgence of passenger rail which some have described as a renaissance. Demand is at an all-time high, and routes from the west coast to the east coast are reporting unprecedented volumes of passengers. Rather than fighting to preserve a dying train network, Amtrak is breaking its own records every year.

The funding that kickstarted Ohio’s passenger rail renaissance has an expiration date. A new analysis from the Eno Center reveals why returning to the budget models of the past could derail the 3C&D corridor just as it gains momentum—and that we must demand multi-year appropriations to keep the project on track.

The Streamline Transit Act cuts federal red tape, allowing Ohio to fast-track rail NEPA reviews like highways. This could save years and millions on projects like a Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Cleveland rail corridor.

Make a huge impact on our 2026 initiatives by donating to our $5,000 goal this Giving Tuesday 12/2. In 2025 we accomplished a lot, track what we did by month, thanks to donor impact and passenger rail advocates in Ohio.

Midwest passenger trains are selling out more often and ridership is climbing in the region. In Ohio this is a sign of future success but lack of new trains may constrain abilities to grow.