TOLEDO, OH - The Rail Passengers Association (RPA) and All Aboard Ohio (AAO) are proud to announce RailNation Toledo, taking place October 2-4, 2026. The national conference will bring together federal officials, state leaders, and transit advocates at the historic Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza Amtrak Station to map out the future of America's passenger rail network.

Toledo, strategically located at the crossroads of Midwest rail travel, serves as a key player in the future of regional transit. The city sits squarely on one of the nation’s most heavily traveled long-distance corridors (NYC-Chicago) and is the linchpin of the proposed Cleveland-Toledo-Detroit passenger rail corridor.

“We are talking about engineering a connected Midwest economy,” said Mitch Radakovich, Chair of All Aboard Ohio. “Toledo is where Ohio’s untapped passenger rail potential will meet Michigan’s already-growing rail network. RailNation Toledo is about reclaiming our existing infrastructure to connect urban cores, build economically productive mega-regions, and give travelers real options.”

The conference will emphasize the return on investment of passenger rail, highlighting how robust transit networks act as economic multipliers for local tourism, job creation, and tax base growth.

“The data consistently shows that passenger rail is a powerful economic engine, not just a travel alternative,” said Jim Mathews, President & CEO of the Rail Passengers Association. “Upgrading our legacy infrastructure into multi-modal corridors is essential for maximizing our national assets. This conference lays the groundwork for an upcoming Rail Passengers Association Economic Impact Study that will demonstrate how expanding service benefits Ohio’s and Michigan’s communities.”

KEY CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

Friday, October 2:

• 10:00 am – 3:00 pm: "Science Fair" at Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza featuring the Amtrak Locomotive Simulator, TARTA’s new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) VR Experience, and guided facility tours.

  (The public can purchase a $20 single-day Friday pass to attend).

• 4:00 – 5:00 pm - Toledo Amtrak Station Tour

  (exclusive press opportunity, not open to the public)

• 6:00 – 8:00 pm: AleNation Happy Hour at Toledo Spirits. Featured speaker: Mitch Radakovich, Chair, All Aboard Ohio

  (exclusive press opportunity, not open to the public)

Saturday, October 3:

Expert panels and keynote addresses featuring:

• Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz

• Representative Marcy Kaptur (OH-09)

• Rusty Roberts, Senior Policy Advisor, FRA Office of Railroad Administration

• William Murdock, Executive Director, Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission

• Mark Brazeau, Director of Group Sales, Destination Toledo

• Rob Moore, Principal, Scioto Analysis

• Representatives from Amtrak’s Major Programs and Long Distance Service Lines

MEDIA INFORMATION

Media are invited to attend all panels and events. A dedicated interview area will be available for 1:1 conversations with RPA and AAO leadership and key panelists. Broadcast Media: please coordinate live shots by contacting Beth Russell (beth@allaboardohio.org)