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CLEVELAND, Ohio – Amtrak is planning a major expansion of passenger rail service through Cleveland and Ohio, as part of the massive infrastructure investment described by President Joseph R. Biden this week.
If implemented, passenger rail service through Cleveland could drop from the current four trains per day to 22, according to All Aboard Ohio, a lobby group that advocates expanded rail service in the state.
“You can even see trains go by in the light of day,” joked Stu Nicholson, executive director of All Aboard Ohio. Currently, the four trains that stop in Cleveland – all traveling between Chicago and the East Coast – arrive between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m.
Included in Amtrak’s proposal: a new service between Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati, a route that advocates of passenger rail have long wanted.
Also included in the plan: new service between Cleveland and Detroit, plus extended service to Toledo, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, New York and more.
And throughout the United States, Amtrak offers new and expanded service in all regions, including Texas, Georgia, Tennessee, Nevada and beyond.
It is not at all clear how the proposal will perform in Congress. Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said she wants the House to vote on the bill by July 4.
Even so, any final legislation could be significantly different from what was proposed this week.
Republican members of Congress, in particular, have expressed concern over the plan’s huge price, $ 2 trillion, to be paid in part with increased corporate taxes.
U.S. Representative Dave Joyce, of the Township of R-Bainbridge, said he was eager to learn more about Amtrak’s proposal, but remained concerned about the full cost of the infrastructure plan.
“We have many communities that would benefit from increased connectivity with other parts of Buckeye State and beyond,” Joyce said, via email. “There are usually a lot of moving parts when it comes to implementing an ambitious plan like this, including financing and balancing passenger rail needs with those of freight rail, but j I look forward to learning more and working with local, state and federal authorities. officials to see if we can make it happen. “
He added: “Infrastructure has long been one of the most important needs of our country. As Congress begins to craft legislation based on the framework the President released earlier this week, I urge my colleagues to work across the aisle so that we can provide the American people with a package of he bipartisan, fiscally responsible infrastructure that not only creates jobs, but doesn’t add to our $ 28 trillion debt or threaten our long-term economic stability.
Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown, meanwhile, has expressed strong support for additional rail service across the state.
“I am a strong supporter of Amtrak because expanding rail service not only provides Ohio residents with reliable transportation options, but creates jobs, grows our economy and reduces congestion on the roads,” did he declare. “For too long we have seen cuts and underfunding of our transportation system. Now, especially with President Biden in the White House, Secretary Buttigieg in the Department of Transportation and a Democratic Congress, I am optimistic that we can once again rebuild our country’s infrastructure and invest the necessary resources in the growth of our passenger rail system.
Nicholson, meanwhile, is confident that a majority of Ohio lawmakers can be confident the proposal is good for the state.
In recent months, All Aboard Ohio has stepped up support for Amtrak’s expansion, garnering statements of approval from communities across Ohio, including Cleveland.
Despite his optimism, Nicholson cautions against impatience – any plan to bring new Amtrak service across Ohio will take years, even after initial funding has been approved.
In many cases, communities – including Columbus – will need to rebuild stations. The tracks and other infrastructure will also need to be upgraded, he said.
Cleveland, he said, may want to consider keeping its passenger station along the lakefront near FirstEnergy Stadium, or possibly relocating it to Terminal Tower, which last hosted passenger trains in the mid-1970s.
Another possibility is proposed for northeastern Ohio: the addition of an Amtrak stop at or near the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.
Ken Prendergast, director of public affairs for All Aboard Ohio, said Amtrak raised the idea of a multimodal stop near the airport during a February meeting with the organization and city officials. The stop would connect train passengers from across the region to air service options.
Nicholson said he was thrilled with the possibilities. “I know there will be people out there who will call this just another mess,” he said. “It’s not that. This is a serious national transport plan. “
Read more:
President Joe Biden replaces Marcia Fudge to sell his infrastructure plan
Amtrak plans major expansion in Cleveland, with possible service to Columbus, Cincinnati
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