CENTRAL OHIO -- High-speed rail advocates say they are looking at all options to finance a projected $17 million subsidy needed to operate a passenger system between Cleveland and Cincinnati.
According to an Amtrak feasibility study, the system would have annual operating expenses of $29.2 million and generate $12.2 million in direct revenue. The $17 million difference would be funded by the government.
"We are literally leaving no stone unturned," says Stu Nicholson of the Ohio Rail Development Commission. He says funds could come from ODOT's "Blue Sign" program in which restaurants and gas stations pay for advertising near interstate off-ramps, naming rights for trains or corridors or from federal grants.
"But also consider the fact that as you start to grow your passenger base, you also start to grow your revenue base," says Nicholson. "And, quite honestly, there is no transportation system in this country that pays for itself."
The proposal calls for passenger trains to travel up to 79 miles per hour on existing freight rail lines. The tracks owned by CSX, Norfolk-Southern and the Indiana & Ohio Railway Company (IORY) would be upgraded at a public cost of more than $236 million. While taxpayer money is being used to improve privately-owned property, Nicholson says there is still a public benefit.
"The public benefit being that you get the option of being able to travel safely and efficiently on a passenger train," he says. "The other side of the public benefit is that Ohio businesses that rely on the railroads get a better railroad."
He says the railroads have been very supportive of the proposal so far. All of the passenger train schedules and stops will have to be approved by the freight companies. Nicholson says federal law gives passenger trains right-of-way on the entire Amtrak system but they hope to minimize any delays to the freight trains as well.
Amtrak's study says the city of Columbus has offered space in the Columbus Convention Center as a passenger rail station.
The Cleveland terminal would be at the existing Lakefront Station, and the Cincinnati stop would be at the "Boat House" area on the riverfront.
The study suggests eight trains passing through the Columbus station: four headed north and four headed south.
The first train would leave for Cleveland at 6:32 a.m., and the final train would arrive from Cincinnati at 7:22 p.m.
A trip from Columbus to Cleveland would take 3 hours and 13 minutes.
Columbus to Cincinnati (through Dayton) would take 3 hours and 7 minutes.
The full Cincinnati-to-Cleveland journey would be about 6 hours and 30 minutes.
"That's because it's a start up. As you start to ramp up service and make infrastructure improvements in the corridor, you will see those travel times reduced," Nicholson says.
According to Nicholson, fares from Columbus would range between $20 and $25.
Neither the Cleveland nor Cincinnati stops are expected to conveniently connect to Amtrak's current east-west services.
Nicholson says 14 other states have already created rail systems similar to what Ohio is proposing. And dozens of states are vying for nearly $8 billion in federal stimulus funds dedicated to improving high-speed rail. Nicholson believes Ohio has a very good chance in the competition because this plan is different from other states' proposals.
"We're talking about bringing and entirely new passenger rail corridor with a population base of six million people into the national system," he says. "We're not applying for money to expand service in a corridor where there's already passenger rail."
Ohio rail officials plan to submit the request for federal funds on or before the Oct. 2 deadline.
The Amtrak study will be a significant part of the application.
If the proposal is rejected, there is no back-up plan.
RESOURCES
"3C is Me" Program: http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Rail/Programs/passenger/3CisME/Page
s/default.aspx
Read the Amtrak Feasibility Study for yourself: http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Rail/Programs/passenger/3CisME/Quic
kStartDocs/Amtrak%20Draft%203C%20Report%2009-15-2009.pdf
NBC 4 Analysis
Columbus to Cleveland Car Train
Max Speed (mph) 65 79
Mileage 142 132
Fuel ($2.50/gallon, 18 mpg) $19.72
Ticket/Fare (approx.) $25.00
Time in Transit 2:25 3:13
Value of Your Time ($10/hr) $24.17 $32.17
Safely Work In Transit NO YES
Vehicle at Destination YES NO
NBC 4 Analysis
Columbus to Cincinnati Car Train
Max Speed (mph) 65 79
Mileage 108 123
Fuel ($2.50/gallon, 18 mpg) $15.00
Ticket/Fare (approx.) $25.00
Time in Transit 1:49 3:07
Value of Your Time ($10/hr) $18.17 $31.17
Safely Work in Transit NO YES
Vehicle at Destination YES NO
Amtrak Feasibility Study for Ohio ($ in Millions)
Route Miles 255
Estimated Annual Ridership (for 2009) 478,000
Capital for Infrastructure Improvements $236.2
Capital for Track Upgrading $ 51.4
Capital for Mechanical Facilities $ 55.0
Capital for Equipment Procurement $175.0
Estimated Annual Revenue $ 12.2
Estimated Annual Operating Expense $ 29.2
Estimated Annual Operating Subsidy $ 17.0
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