As Ohio's budget negotiations unfold, one thing is clear: Ohioans want passenger rail. The numbers speak for themselves—since the state budget was released, more than 700 Ohioans have joined All Aboard Ohio in contacting legislators and using our online resources. On social media, AAO's advocacy has reached 37,000 people. And the conversation has stretched far beyond social media, with six news outlets covering the issue so far and letters from authorities in every major metropolitan area—including Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, and Toledo—pushing for passenger rail provisions to be restored in the budget.

Yet, the Ohio Senate has removed two crucial elements from the budget:

- Funding for Ohio to rejoin the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission (MIPRC)—a bipartisan compact dedicated to rail improvements and planning.

- A passenger rail representative on the Ohio Rail Development Commission (ORDC)—replaced by another freight rail representative, who doesn't even have to be a resident of Ohio.

This isn't just an issue of policy preferences; it's about whether Ohio will be part of the future of modern transportation or continue to lag behind. The Ohio Department of Transportation’s 2024 Transportation Preference Study revealed that 75% of Ohioans believe it’s important to improve the state's rail network. So why is the Senate disregarding the voices of their constituents?

The Cost of Inaction

The Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Compact would have cost Ohio just $25,000 per fiscal year, a small investment for immense long-term benefits. Membership in the compact would allow Ohio to collaborate with neighboring states on shared infrastructure projects, secure federal grants, and develop cost-saving initiatives like shared planning and collaborative CRISI grants according to a letter to Senators from MIPRC director Laura Kliewer.

Senate Skepticism

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Jerry Cirino has defended the decision, suggesting that there hasn’t been enough discussion or debate on passenger rail expansion. He argued in an interview with WCPO that any rail initiative should be a standalone bill rather than a budget provision. However, rail advocates counter that Ohio tried exactly that in the previous legislative session with House Bill 488—yet it never even went to vote.

Meanwhile, Ohio’s neighbors continue expanding their passenger rail networks while Ohio falls further behind. A conservative analysis suggests that building a passenger rail connection between Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, and Cleveland—known as the 3C+D corridor—would contribute at least $106-$107 million to Ohio’s gross state product and create 1,100 new jobs in a report by Columbus based Scioto Analysis. Amtrak suggests those numbers could be even higher at $230 million.

What’s Next?

On Tuesday, when the revisions from the Ohio Senate are revealed - they'll prove they had a choice: Listen to the will of the people or turn their back on modern high-quality passenger rail progress. Ohioans have spoken loudly and clearly. With growing public support, bipartisan backing, and economic benefits on the table, it's time for action.

Passenger rail is not just a convenience—it’s an investment in Ohio’s future. The question now is whether lawmakers will seize the moment or let it slip away.