COLUMBUS, Ohio – In his first news conference as governor-elect, John Kasich shot down the proposed passenger train corridor linking Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati. Kasich told reporters: “That train is dead. I said it during the campaign. It is dead. Passenger rail is not in Ohio’s future.” Kasich went on to say that he supports expanding freight rail.
The 250-mile 3C Corridor has long been seen by passenger rail advocates as one of the nation’s most promising corridors. Projections estimate that 478,000 passengers would use passenger rail service annually along the route, which would serve an area with a population of more than 6.8 million people. In January the Obama administration announced that Ohio would receive $400 million in federal stimulus money for track upgrades, grade crossings, new stations, and maintenance facilities. If the 3C project ends, that money would have to be returned to the Federal government.
The 250-mile 3C Corridor has long been seen by passenger rail advocates as one of the nation’s most promising corridors. Projections estimate that 478,000 passengers would use passenger rail service annually along the route, which would serve an area with a population of more than 6.8 million people. In January the Obama administration announced that Ohio would receive $400 million in federal stimulus money for track upgrades, grade crossings, new stations, and maintenance facilities. If the 3C project ends, that money would have to be returned to the Federal government.
COLUMBUS, Ohio – In his first news conference as governor-elect, John Kasich shot down the proposed passenger train corridor linking Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati. Kasich told reporters: “That train is dead. I said it during the campaign. It is dead. Passenger rail is not in Ohio’s future.” Kasich went on to say that he supports expanding freight rail.
The 250-mile 3C Corridor has long been seen by passenger rail advocates as one of the nation’s most promising corridors. Projections estimate that 478,000 passengers would use passenger rail service annually along the route, which would serve an area with a population of more than 6.8 million people. In January the Obama administration announced that Ohio would receive $400 million in federal stimulus money for track upgrades, grade crossings, new stations, and maintenance facilities. If the 3C project ends, that money would have to be returned to the Federal government.
The 250-mile 3C Corridor has long been seen by passenger rail advocates as one of the nation’s most promising corridors. Projections estimate that 478,000 passengers would use passenger rail service annually along the route, which would serve an area with a population of more than 6.8 million people. In January the Obama administration announced that Ohio would receive $400 million in federal stimulus money for track upgrades, grade crossings, new stations, and maintenance facilities. If the 3C project ends, that money would have to be returned to the Federal government.
