top of page

Okay. Now what?

Writer's picture: Stu NicholsonStu Nicholson

When the United States entered the fight in World War II, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill is famous for saying, “It may not be the beginning of the end, but it is the end of the beginning.”


The battle (if you will) for expanding passenger rail in Ohio made a big step forward when Governor Mike DeWine stepped up and ordered the Ohio Rail Development Commission (ORDC) to apply for funding from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for a planning study of two rail corridors:


  • Cleveland-Columbus-Dayton-Cincinnati (better known as the 3C&D)

  • Cleveland-Toledo-Detroit (which parallels two of the busiest Interstate Highway corridors in the USA)


At this writing, the applications have been submitted to the FRA. So, we can all breathe easy and wait, right?


Wrong.


In fact, my emails, texts and conversations with advocates are peppered with questions about “what do we do, now?”


We keep up the fight. We are at Churchill’s “end of the beginning”. Now we begin pushing toward what for us will be a victory: the development of a statewide network of fast, frequent, timely and reliable intercity passenger trains.


A network? From two rail corridors? Hardly. But consider that Ohio’s metropolitan planning organizations (MPO’s, for short) are also applying for FRA planning grants for a total of 4 more corridors.


The Columbus-based Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) is supporting applications for both the 3C&D corridor and a second new corridor that would connect Columbus with Chicago and Pittsburgh. It’s called the “Midwest Connect”.


The Northern Ohio Area Coordinating Agency (NOACA), based in Cleveland is applying for FRA planning grants for expanding service in these three corridors:

  • Cleveland-Pittsburgh

  • Cleveland-Toledo-Chicago

  • Cleveland-Erie-Buffalo


Professional transportation planners and civic leaders are thinking ahead to what is possible for our future in Ohio and the Midwest / Great Lakes region.


Our job, as advocates, is to let them know we have their backs. Let the leaders at NOACA and MORPC that you support what they’re doing in a letter or email. And while you’re at it, let your Mayors, city councils and state legislator’s know as well. Educate them. Tell them your story about why you want the option of traveling by train to connect with whatever your need may be.


And if you’ve got a good story to tell, consider writing it down and submitting to us at All Aboard Ohio for our e-newsletter. Even if your rail trip was less than ideal, we want to hear about the good and the bad so we can advocate with Amtrak for better service.


And finally, thank you. We cannot do the work we do without your engagement. We are lucky to have active and growing All Aboard Ohio chapters at the local level in Columbus, Cleveland, Toledo and Cincinnati. What can we do to get you and others more involved? Let us know and let’s get something done.

1 comment

1 comentário


Howard Zellars
05 de abr. de 2023

My experience’s riding Amtrak

I started traveling by train about 1989. My first trip was from Emeryville California to Denver Colorado coach seating. This train travels through spectacular scenery. Another time I flew to San Francisco and travel back to Denver using a sleeper an excellent choice. In the 1990s I would travel from Denver to Chicago then to Cincinnati and Cincinnati to Chicago then to Denver. There were delays, missed connections, and common problems. I often wondered why there shouldn’t be multiple routes with better connections to get to my destinations. When the train is late from Denver to Chicago you miss your connection to Cincinnati and have to spend extra days in Chicago. Amtrak has done a fai…

Curtir

Hi! Just a moment:

All Aboard Ohio is a well known source for transit advocacy and updates. Financial support helps us do what we do. If you can - a donation helps us a lot.

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER

Stay up to date on meetings, news, and ways you can help

Thanks for submitting!

All Aboard Ohio is a 501c-3 nonprofit with over 50 years of advocacy work, advocating for improved public transportation and passenger rail service in the Midwest

Cleveland Tower Photo by cmh2315fl on Flickr (CC)

©2024 by All Aboard Ohio

Get in Touch

Contact us form

info@allaboardohio.org

3136 Kingsdale Center, 


#112 Columbus, OH 43221

Federal Tax ID: 31-1066182

  • Facebook
  • X
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Threads
bottom of page