Why not rail?

From the Toledo Blade, Published September 18, 2022

I continue to read daily about the Toledo airport and lack of progress in gaining new airlines.

Also, the relentless pursuit of electric vehicles in spite of the many shortcomings, including lack of recharging facilities.

However, I never see or read one article about trains.

When comparing America and its transportation system to the rest of the world, we are an embarrassment.

Trains are by far the most efficient and environmentally friendly way to transport large numbers of people. I believe this is a fact. China, Europe, and Japan all have high-speed, efficient rail systems. Why doesn’t America?

We continue to see ongoing road construction in and around Toledo, and one has to scratch their head and wonder how we pay for all this work. Can’t some of these funds be used to build an efficient train system?

Compare the cost of transporting several hundred people on a plane, the fuel, the pollution, the land used of airport, add security and you have a bundle of money that could be used in a far better way.

Japan introduced the first high speed rail system in 1964. The system has an impeccable safety record.

Currently the train system carries 1 million passengers every day at speeds up to 200 mph.

Compare this to America! I fail to understand why an industrial might like America cannot duplicate what other countries have accomplished.

How many reading this would like to board a clean, safe train with sufficient room to move around store your baggage in a relaxed manner?

With all the green folks out, we should be able to make this a reality.

DENNIS ISABELL

West Toledo

From the Desk of the Board Chair Theresa Allen

I recall it seems like just yesterday when I accepted an appointment to the All Aboard Ohio Board of Directors in 2012. It was an emotional time for me personally as I was still licking my wounds from a hard-fought battle in 2010 for Hardin County Commissioner. So, I was keenly aware of the feelings of frustration, disappointment, and even anger by AAO board members and our membership when the new Governor Kasich returned over $400 million to the FRA earmarked for passenger rail in Ohio. This was in spite of the fact that his predecessor, Governor Strickland had most everything in order to move forward with the 3C corridor. What many people including our board and membership didn’t realize with this action was the return of those funds also took Ohio off the FRA map for project consideration, as revealed in recent face-to-face conversations with Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur. Despite our best advocacy efforts people began to lose interest in this effort. AAO even lost members after this “loss.” We now have an opportunity in Ohio like never before. With Amtrak announcing its five-corridor initiative in Ohio, the 3C & D proposal, the majority of it on their dime thanks to the 2022 Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, we could see a major boom for Ohio residents regardless of zip code, existing businesses, and proposed economic development projects. There are no requests for tax abatements which are usually covered in the long term by the taxpayer. There is no requirement for increased taxes. (Although Amtrak’s radar didn’t hit all of the corridors AAO has long advocated for, we remain committed to those as well. We have to start somewhere.) And, it could help our underserved fellow Ohioans. Those who are disabled, elderly, veterans, and families with chronically ill or disabled children all who are having trouble driving or who can’t afford the cost to own, insure, or maintain a vehicle. And, still, others are intimidated by driving in traffic, congestion, finding and affording to park once they get to the VA Hospital or children’s hospital and bigger cities around our state.

In a major way, the “Amtrak Connects US” plan for Ohio and the Great Lakes region means more frequent and timely trains for all of us who want or need the option of traveling by train, whether it’s on business or connecting with jobs, education, health care or just going to a ball game. As groups like the Columbus Partnership and the Ohio Chamber have recognized, expanded passenger rail is also good for Ohio’s economy and workforce development. Therefore, I would like to say to our AAO board, members, and social media followers what was said to me after my last political loss. “It’s not how many times you fall, it’s how many times you get up,” that matters. We need to be more vocal than ever before. Keep the calls and emails going to Governor DeWine, ORDC, the Majority and Minority leadership at the Ohio statehouse, and the Ohio Chamber of Commerce. (You can refer to AAO talking points on our website if needed.) Together, we can get this done. All Aboard Ohio!!!

All Aboard Ohio's Annual Meeting & Fundraiser

Our Annual Meeting and Fundraiser is coming up quickly! The meeting will be held on July 9, 2022 at 9:30 am at the Makoy Center, 5462 Center Street in Hilliard. We are also offering the opportunity to join via Zoom at a discounted price. Tickets for the in-person event must be purchased by July 1 at 9:00 am; tickets for the Zoom meeting can be purchased through July 8th. We will also be selling raffle tickets at the event for the chance to win a pen & ink print of the historic Toledo & Ohio Central Depot at Columbus, OH, or a limited print Amtrak Lake Shore Limited poster. Raffle tickets will be sold for $2 each or three for $5. If you would prefer to pay at the door, please let us know so that we can include you in our headcount. You can register by clicking here.

This is an event you will not want to miss! Our keynote speaker this year is the Railroad Passenger’s Association Board Chair Meredith Richards. Meredith has a long history in rail advocacy and community involvement, including serving on the Charlottesville City Council and numerous public boards and commissions. She was the driving force in the creation of the Lynchburg Northeast Regional train. The founder and chair of the Piedmont Rail Coalition, she mobilized political jurisdictions, stakeholders, and citizens throughout the US29 corridor in a successful campaign to bring Virginia’s first state-supported intercity passenger train to the corridor.

As a member of the Virginia Governor’s Commission on Rail Enhancement for the 21st Century and president of the Virginia Transit Association, Meredith began over twenty years of advocacy for dedicated state funding for passenger rail, culminating in Virginia’s launch of a $4 billion program of rail initiatives in 2019. She is president of the Virginia Rail Policy Institute and a former president and current co-chair of Virginians for High-Speed Rail. She joined the Board of Directors of the Rail Passengers Association in 2020 and was elected Chair in 2022.

Also speaking at the meeting are Thea Walsh, a 17-year public servant focused on transportation, economic development, and community planning who serves as the Transportation and Infrastructure Director, Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission; Navy and Army veteran State Representative Haraz N. Ghanbari, who is currently in his first term representing 3rd House District and is a strong supporter of expanded public transit access; and Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur who represents Ohio's Ninth Congressional District and is currently the longest-serving woman in the history of the U.S. House of Representatives and ranks among the most senior members of the 117th Congress.

We look forward to seeing you there!