Yes I still say let’s get those trains a runnin’ here in Ohio. This conference gathered train association people from places like New York, Chicago, Iowa and elsewhere. We got updates on what was happening in other states. One point of interest was North Carolina where they spent their money and added routes up the coast to New York and the adage ‘if you build it they will come’ seemed to apply for them. Tremendous increases in ridership, especially helping the economies along the route and a tremendous boon to business commuters.
This is what we need here of course. And of course we start almost from scratch, with barely any routes going anywhere currently. Still a lot of work going on regarding The Ohio Hub and West Shore Corridor.
Several speakers suggested we look to the Ontario to Quebec rail line as an example of a well run passenger service. And one really cool item I learned: there are now hybrid train cars! When a train gets into sight of a station and slows down to 18 mph or less, it runs on battery power instead of diesel fuel. How cool is that?
What else did I learn: The Illinois speakers told us to check out Catch An Illinois Train(great name for a url no?). Iowa is trying to save their Union station which has historic value.
Truth be told, we are still waiting for the environmental study to be ordered regarding The Ohio Hub. We know the economic impact study/analysis was not just positive for the high speed line, but better than most would have anticipated. Now we need the environmental study.
And - we still need everyone to write or call their US Senators. Seriously! SB294 needs to pass in order for us to be able to move forward on the first leg of The Ohio Hub. Or I should say, move forward at all. Here is your Senate contact list:
Senator George Voinovich
524 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
202-224-3353
Senator Sherrod Brown
455 Russel Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C.20510
202-224-2315
****The Bill is out of committee, and my guess is it will be voted on by Spring. Why am I so adamant about this? Jobs, economic growth, immediately and continuously, once the Ohio Hub gets started. Check out this train blog (I found it today and it’s very comprehensive) to read more about SB294 and other rail issues. Kudos to Marcel for a great blog!
As an aside, the All Aboard Ohio conference was held at the RTA corporate office on W. 6th. If you have never been in it, it’s spectacular inside. The lobby has the most amazing wood paneling ON THE BOTTOM of the stairways! I’ve never seen that before. And the lobby itself, well, it’s pictured above. I couldn’t help myself I had to take a photo. Peace Out - 3C
8 responses so far ↓
1 moni // Oct 22, 2007 at 8:04 pm
That sounds like it would be such a good thing for your area. I sure hope it passes!
2 Carole Cohen // Oct 22, 2007 at 8:29 pm
Moni, you probably should vote too! It’s a National Bill that helps keep funds available for, among other things, rail upgrades and repair.
3 Jay McGillicuddy // Oct 23, 2007 at 5:48 am
I think the rail systems throughout the country are in dire needs of upgrading.
I often wonder why cities have never implemented the monorail system like they have in Disney World. It seems to me that it would be cost effective but what do I know.
4 Elaine Reese // Oct 23, 2007 at 8:27 am
Thanks for keeping us updated on “your” crusade! I hear very little in the news about it down here.
5 Bob Carney // Oct 23, 2007 at 1:40 pm
Nice looking blog!!! Did you move it yourself? Or have someone do it for you?
6 Carole Cohen // Oct 23, 2007 at 4:24 pm
Jay even in Cleveland they are doing a light rail line (silver line, sort of light rail lol) on our Downtown main street. I agree we need to refocus our energies away from cars, no pun intended, I don’t think!
Bob thank you so much you are kind! My tech goddess is Kristal Kraft and she actually did the forwarding. It’s an ftp program.
7 Ginger Wilcox // Oct 23, 2007 at 10:01 pm
Carole,
Great information. I hope it gets passed! There always seems to be so much opposition to rail and other public transportation items. My county recently turned down a rail line that would have significantly cut traffic in our area. Why do people shoot down plans such as this that will improve our environment by reducing pollution and reliance on automobiles, as well as improve our communities by reducing congestion?! I am heading off to learn move about this bill…
8 Carole Cohen // Oct 23, 2007 at 10:10 pm
Ginger I don’t understand it either. Seems as if we can spend a ton of money on other things that won’t reap such a tremendous benefit. Rail improvements and upgrades can do all that you mentioned thank you for commenting!
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