For years, at All Aboard Ohio we have championed the transformative power of passenger rail for our communities, our economy, and our future. We’ve always known that connecting Ohio’s major cities is a gamechanger.

Now, we have more hard data to prove exactly how much of a gamechanger.

A new analysis just released by the Rail Passengers Association (RPA) reveals that the proposed connected network of six passenger-rail services would deliver nearly $190 million in annual benefits directly to Ohio. If we build this comprehensive system, we are looking at an estimated 1.69 million annual passenger trips flowing through our stations.

This isn't just about giving people a new way to travel; it's about injecting massive economic vitality straight into the heart of our state. But it only happens if we choose to act.

The Power of a Connected Network

According to the RPA’s modeling, those 1.69 million trips represent a massive 45 percent increase over the ridership we would see if these six services were built and operated in isolation. By connecting routes—the Cincinnati-Dayton-Columbus-Cleveland (3C+D) route, the Detroit-Toledo-Cleveland line, Midwest Connect, a daily Cardinal service, a Detroit-New Orleans route, and a Dallas-New York route—each individual train becomes infinitely more useful to passengers.

But here is the best part: Ohio doesn’t need to wait for every single mile of this grand, multi-state network to be laid down before we see a return on our investment. As RPA President and CEO Jim Mathews rightly points out, building useful pieces of this network delivers real, tangible benefits immediately.

Look at the immediate opportunities right in front of us:

• The "3C+D" Corridor (Cincinnati-Dayton-Columbus-Cleveland): This vital artery has the concrete potential to generate about 375,000 annual passenger trips within Ohio, bringing in modeled annual benefits exceeding $28.2 million.

• Detroit-Toledo-Cleveland: Even as a standalone service, this route is projected to deliver roughly 188,000 annual passenger trips and $14.1 million in modeled annual benefits.

• Midwest Connect (Chicago-Fort Wayne-Columbus-Pittsburgh): This crucial east-west link projects roughly 200,000 annual Ohio trips, delivering about $15 million in total annual modeled benefits.

• Daily Cardinal Service: Upgrading our existing Cardinal service from a meager three days a week to daily operation would yield roughly 45,000 annual trips and bring $11.8 million in annual modeled benefits and is possibly the easiest to achieve quickly.

The Impact Beyond the Ticket Counter

When we talk about a $190 million annual benefit... we are talking about the ripple effect passenger rail has on everyday life in Ohio.

According to the data, a complete proposed network would have transformative, state-wide impacts every single year:

• Economic Growth: Visitor spending at Ohio businesses would reach $14.7 million, supporting roughly 200 local jobs, while state and local tax revenues would see an estimated boost of $3.4 million.

• Safer, Less Congested Roads: Ohio roads would see a reduction of 34.8 million vehicle miles. This means less wear-and-tear, leading to a modeled reduction in roadway maintenance of $88.3 million. Most importantly, getting folks off the highway and onto trains results in an estimated $57.7 million in avoided crash costs.

• Consumer Savings & Clean Air: Travelers would save an estimated $18.1 million in travel costs.

The Path Forward is Investment

Planning is critical, it helps us identify these incredible opportunities. But as Jim Mathews notes, planning alone doesn't put a train on the timetable. Advancing these routes requires funding, equipment, and operating arrangements.

We have the map. We have the data. Now, we need the political will and the investment to make it a reality.

I'll be at the Rail Passenger Association’s Fall RailNation conference this weekend to discuss all that we are learning about the great potential of Ohio's Rail Network. We are incredibly proud that this year's event is happening right here in Ohio as we're working to advance the future of rail. Please donate if you support that work.

I hope to see you in Toledo.