Ohio Governor Seeking to Extend Passenger Rail Service

One corridor would connect Cincinnati-Dayton-Columbus-Cleveland.

COLUMBUS – Governor Mike DeWine is taking steps to expand passenger rail service in Ohio.

This week, DeWine directed the Ohio Rail Development Commission to apply for the first phase of funding to study expanding passenger rail service.

The Federal Railroad Administration’s Corridor Identification and Development program would assist the state in assessing potential intercity passenger rail corridors.

“This is the first step of many in this process. We have a lot of questions that need to be answered before we make any commitments,” said DeWine. “The information we gather from this effort will help us make informed decisions about federal opportunities for passenger rail in Ohio.”

The state has identified two corridors to advance for consideration: Cleveland-Columbus-Dayton-Cincinnati and Cleveland-Toledo-Detroit.

If the application is successful, the Federal Railroad Administration would provide $500,000 per corridor. The funds would be used to bring in a consultant to prepare a scope of work for the development plan.

That would include track improvements, equipment, stations, operating costs, ridership and more.

“Under Governor DeWine’s direction, we have been talking with Amtrak for quite some time to explore options and gather information.  Our work with Amtrak was necessary for a federal application but it is just the first step. The Governor has been very clear that for this to work for Ohio, it is not just a matter of cost. It has to be done in a way that does not impede freight rail traffic in the state that is so important to our economy and our businesses,” said Matthew Dietrich, Executive Director of the Ohio Rail Development Commission.