Passenger Trains > Ohio Gov. DeWine now supports exploring expanded Amtrak in Ohio

As predicted here on TO and elsewhere, Gov. Michael DeWine of Ohio (GOP) waited until he had defeated his GOP rivals (extremely conservative Trumpists), in the Ohio primary elections, and now he has said that he would like to learn more about Amtrak's Connect plan (3-C corridor and added services on the NYC mainline (NS) from the western Ohio border to PGH and BUF.  DeWine asked the Ohio Rail Development Commission to "determine feasability and cost" for the route expansion.  "We intend to work collaboratively with Amtrak on this."  
DeWine is not a expansive noisy personality, but proceeds very carefully in Republican Ohio.  Had he announced this earlier, he would have received strong rebukes from the other GOP candidates.  When Ted Stricklnd (Democratic governor) announced his support 12 years ago for the earlier 3-C corridor, John Kasich laughed at him and sought in every way to humiliate him.  Kasich sadly won the election and immediately sent the $400M of Obama's money back to Washington, DC.  
Therefore is a red-letter day for All Aboard Ohio (Ohio's rail passenger advocacy group), but we are not out of the woods in any mannner.  The GOP legislature routinely sabotages any progressive idea.  But I can imagine DeWine slipping $100M into his tranportation budget for four consecutive years, which would allow the Amtrak Connect Plan to potentially see the light of day and begin construction on a real passenger service for Ohio.  DeWine looks at Michigan and Pennsylvania and other states who are good partners with Amtrak.  He knows it would be economically a positive generator for Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus and Cleveland.  

After John Kasich (the idiot) I am so glad to report this to TO readers.  

As noted in comments you posted yesterday, Dayton's mayor, Nan Whaley, has supported passenger rail in the 3C corridor (although with Dayton in the corridor, there are now references to "3C+D."  Here's a link to one article noting her support for passenger rail in Ohio:

https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/local/amtrak-leaders-ohio-mayors-call-for-3-cd-passenger-rail-service/4VKFYVYICRHETMX4ZFTODV4254/

Earlier this month, Nan Whaley won the Ohio primary to become the Democrats' nominee for governor.  
 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/16/22 19:52 by RuleG.

Let's hope that this new Ohio Governor follows through with his support. Ohio has been the "stepchild" when it comes to daytime passenger rail service. Having the RTA in the Greater Cleveland area is besides the point. People should have daytime rail options all over the State of Ohio. It would even be nice to have those trains run to Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, and NYP plus to Chicago.

Passfanatic Wrote:
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> Let's hope that this new Ohio Governor follows
> through with his support. Ohio has been the
> "stepchild" when it comes to daytime passenger
> rail service. Having the RTA in the Greater
> Cleveland area is besides the point. People should
> have daytime rail options all over the State of
> Ohio. It would even be nice to have those trains
> run to Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, and NYP plus to
> Chicago.

So you're already assuming that Mike DeWine, not Nan Whaley, is going to win in November?  Wow, just wow.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 05/16/22 19:52 by RuleG.

This jerk screwed the pooch badly, I dont see why Ohio wants this RINO back.

On Ohios 3C+D, keep dreaming, it's only a pipe dream and a costly one at that.

Today I actually was talking with Rep. Marcy Kaptur, her idea was to build another dedicated ROW just for passenger trains to make this work. Let's just say my wife was a bit amused, while I remained professional.

Michael Fair
Royal Oak, MI

Dewine will win.  There is absolutely no doubt.

Zero chance a dem wins Ohio gov, especially in 2022.  Be glad he is on the side of rail for a change.


RuleG Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Passfanatic Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Let's hope that this new Ohio Governor follows
> > through with his support. Ohio has been the
> > "stepchild" when it comes to daytime passenger
> > rail service. Having the RTA in the Greater
> > Cleveland area is besides the point. People
> should
> > have daytime rail options all over the State of
> > Ohio. It would even be nice to have those
> trains
> > run to Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, and NYP plus to
> > Chicago.
>
> So you're already assuming that Mike DeWine, not
> Nan Daley, is going to win in November?  Wow,
> just wow.

Chessie1963 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Dewine will win.  There is absolutely no doubt.
>
> Zero chance a dem wins Ohio gov, especially in
> 2022.  Be glad he is on the side of rail for a
> change.
>

Why should I believe you who lives in New Hampshire over the candidate who has lived and worked in Ohio and been heavily involved in government, politics and civic affairs?   If there was not a chance that Whaley could win, why would she run?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/16/22 19:53 by RuleG.

Chessie1963 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Dewine will win.  There is absolutely no doubt.
>
> Zero chance a dem wins Ohio gov, especially in
> 2022.  Be glad he is on the side of rail for a
> change.

He's been anti rail his entire career and now he expects us to believe he's pro rail? Next thing you know he'll be trying to sell you a bridge...

It's election time. They will tell everyone what they want to hear to get as many votes as possible...

Victor B.

wabash2800 Wrote:
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> It's election time. They will tell everyone what
> they want to hear to get as many votes as
> possible...
>
> Victor B.

BINGO! There's the answer!

I am not sure if we will ever see the 3-C Corridor, let alone 3C+D...... But I do believe that the Pennsylvanian extended to Cleveland and an Empire Service train extended to Cleveland would make a nice inter-connectivity, and allow some nice travel options to unfold. I believe it was also on the map to create a Chicago to Toledo train via Dearborn (or the Michigan line). This is not necessarily a train to connect with the Capitol Limited or Lake Shore Limited. Although 3C+D would be more of an achievement and serve the State of Ohio better, bringing Cleveland and Toledo in line with better inter connectivity would certainly get Ohio's feet wet. I just don't see how 3C+D would ever catch on if its trip time is not brought below, or at least in range of driving a car. Even with various schedules that the Pennsylvanian had - when extended to Chicago - it didn't work. Course it didn't help that Amtrak operated the Pennsylvanian as a freight train across Ohio.   

 

jp1822 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> wabash2800 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > It's election time. They will tell everyone
> what
> > they want to hear to get as many votes as
> > possible...
> >
> > Victor B.
>
> BINGO! There's the answer!
>
>
A post above, I posted a link to an article noting Nan Daley's support for passenger rail. The article is dated May 18, 2021, well before "election time."  I think she genuinely believes that Ohio could benefit from a north -south passenger rail service.

Ohio resident here.

Hard pass on 3C.

This dead horse has been beaten many times before.

Suddenly wealthy Amtrak will throw out money to any state willing to listen but in the end it’s the tax payers taking a bath.

There is nothing in any of the 3 “C” that would support the kind of service that Amtrak runs. 2 or 3 trains each way is a waste of money. There is no connection to the rest of Amtrak system (remember Ohio is the land of night trains), so ridership is one off day trippers to downtowns that don’t have much to offer in a area where traffic isn’t much of a concern. No way to justify millions in operating costs each year for that.

Forget 3C. Maybe do a “CDC”.
Cincinnati and Dayton are growing together into one big metro area.
I might be convinced of a double ended commuter district between Cincinnati and Columbus on NS’s Dayton District with hourly service each way at a minimum.

But then again NS would demand a kings ransom for access into Cincinnati.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/15/22 04:58 by howeld.

^^^^^^^
More or less what howeld said on everything...

Here is a selection on the well worn topic.

Amtrak Phone Call in Ohio

Amtrak Proposes five new Ohio Services

3-C Corridor

3-C Corridor Gets Funding Boost From Congress

Here in Ohio Will it be 4C?

I'd rahter see money got to connecting the Hertland Corridor up with Kansas City and Omaha.

bath_wildcat Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> This jerk screwed the pooch badly, I dont see why
> Ohio wants this RINO back.
>
I am Registered Independent and hate our Government. I am grateful that the voters put Dewine back in the ticket. No Politician can be right ion everything but I liked that Dewine is capable of individual thought instead of being a puppet or slave to a political party. You can tell me how well that kind of politician seams to work for anyone (Duh!).  I hate most of the politicians in our Government, hate the use of the term RINO even more... 

Jim

Because I have family and friends in Ohio and it is where I was born?  

Why be so negative?  It is fine if you hate DeWine.  Facts are that he will win.  There is someone running against Sununu in NH  as well.  Dude has no chance.  You'd have to ask them why they run, I cannot tell you.


RuleG Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Chessie1963 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Dewine will win.  There is absolutely no
> doubt.
> >
> > Zero chance a dem wins Ohio gov, especially in
> > 2022.  Be glad he is on the side of rail for a
> > change.
> >
>
> Why should I believe you who lives in New
> Hampshire over the candidate who has lived and
> worked in Ohio and been heavily involved in
> government, politics and civic affairs?   If
> there was not a chance that Daley could win, why
> would she run?

Just what we need, more tax dollars being wasted on a service that is too slow and will be of no use to those that it needs to survive, BUSINESS travelers. It's time to scrap Amtrak and try again. It's a boondoggle whose time has come.

For those clamoring for alternatives,  Keep in mind that (in a feat of massive legislative stupidity) Ohio - By law MUST do 3C first before any other service. 

https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-4981.04#:~:text=Section%204981.04%20%7C%20Plan%20for%20construction,high%20speed%20passenger%20transportation%20system.&text=(A)%20The%20Ohio%20rail%20development,transportation%20system%20in%20this%20state.

SALGUY Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Just what we need, more tax dollars being wasted
> on a service that is too slow and will be of no
> use to those that it needs to survive, BUSINESS
> travelers. It's time to scrap Amtrak and try
> again. It's a boondoggle whose time has come.

A typical uninformed, misinformed anti-rail bloviator!

This  newspaper  stirt  a  year old!!  Is  something  new!??

cutboy1958 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> This  newspaper  stirt  a  year old!!  Is
>  something  new!??

Yes, the Federal Railroad Administration is now accepting
applications from states that want the federal money for
existing and/or expanded rail passenger service.

CPMorris Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> SALGUY Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Just what we need, more tax dollars being
> wasted
> > on a service that is too slow and will be of no
> > use to those that it needs to survive, BUSINESS
> > travelers. It's time to scrap Amtrak and try
> > again. It's a boondoggle whose time has come.
>
> A typical uninformed, misinformed anti-rail
> bloviator!

Hey, this thing has been studied, hasn't it? Probably more than once? And such studies (if they're wise) aim low at ridership etc., since it's always nicer to be pleasantly surprised than the other way? In any case, it seems to be instinctive for some people to cast doubt (to be polite about it) on public transportation proposals; sometimes they're right, sometimes spectacularly wrong as in the case of Minneapolis and Denver light rail. In any case, public attitudes toward such things as public transportation can change quite dramatically, especially once people actually can use the things as opposed to hagglling over "proposals".