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Latest rail, transit news developments

All Aboard Ohio has a new newsletter format for its “railgram” which is being distributed digitally to members and friends. The latest newsletter was released today and may be viewed at:

CLICK HERE FOR NEWSLETTER

Stories in the Dec. 1, 2008 newsletter are:

> California voters approve bond issue for high-speed rail
> All Aboard Ohio congratulates Obama
> Transit ballot measures win big in Ohio and across the country on November 4th
> Windsor to Quebec City high speed rail
> West Shore Corridor commuter rail update
> Private developer builds Amtrak station in New Buffalo, Michigan
> Touting transit’s benefits to college students
> NorthStar commuter rail Fridley station
> Looking for a few good men and women - All Aboard Ohio invites members to join Board of Directors

You are encouraged to forward copies of the newsletter to clients, colleagues, friends and family. But most of all, we encourage you to join All Aboard Ohio today to ensure uninterrupted production and distribution of the newsletter!

If you would like more information about the above articles or are interested in serving on the All Aboard Ohio Board of Directors, please contact All Aboard Ohio Interim Executive Director Ken Prendergast at kenprendergast@allaboardohio.org or at (216) 288-4883. Note that non-AAO members may be appointed to the board if you join AAO within 30 days of your appointment. See the newsletter for qualification information and other details.

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ALL ABOARD OHIO APPLAUDS RECENT RAIL SAFETY/AMTRAK BILL

All Aboard Ohio, a nonprofit association which supports improved and expanded passenger train and public transit services, applauded Congress’ passage of a landmark bill which could soon mean good things for long-sought rail projects in Ohio. The Congressional action is in response to five straight years of record ridership on Amtrak as high fuel prices have caused Americans to cut back on driving and airlines to reduce their roster of flights.

On Oct. 1, by a veto-proof 74-24 vote, the U.S. Senate passed House Resolution 2095, the Rail Safety Improvement Act which also included the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act. That followed voice vote Sept. 24 by a supportive U.S. House of Representatives. Word is that President Bush will sign the legislation.

The legislation authorizes up to $14.6 billion for rebuilding, improving and expanding passenger rail services over the next five years. Congress and the next president will still need to provide funding through the appropriations process. Of the two presidential candidates, Senator John McCain voted against the bill; Senator Barack Obama voted for it. In Ohio, Senator Sherrod Brown voted for the rail legislation; Senator George Voinovich voted against it. Since the House of Representatives’ action was a voice vote, a record of each representative’s position was not kept.

All Aboard Ohio Executive Director Andrew Bremer welcomed Congress’ action and thanked members of Ohio’s Congressional Delegation for their overwhelming support of HR 2095.

“For the first time since Amtrak began 37 years ago, Congress has decided it wants a modern, national passenger rail system,” Bremer said. “Instead of Amtrak limping along from one budget survival fight to the next, it is now on a path to receive federal funding necessary to address deferred maintenance, acquire new trains and invest in tracks, signals, bridges and stations to expand services.”

He noted that long-sought plans to develop passenger train service on existing tracks at 79 mph linking Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati (3-C Corridor) are eligible to receive federal funds through HR 2095. At Gov. Ted Strickland’s request, the Ohio Rail Development Commission and Amtrak are preparing a plan due in late 2009 to implement two-daily round-trip trains in the 3-C Corridor. Under HR 2095, 80 percent of startup costs associated with 3-C Corridor rail service may be funded by the federal government. The remainder would come from state, local and/or private sources.

The implementation plan is being paid for by $500,000 in federal transportation planning funds administered by the Ohio Department of Transportation. Additional 3-C Corridor planning funds, totaling $62,500, were awarded this week to ORDC by the Federal Railroad Administration.

“What seemed like only a wish is now suddenly possible,” Bremer said. “Introductory train service in the 3-C Corridor is a logical starting point for the proposed six-route Ohio Hub rail system which would offer fast trains in our populous five-state region. The 3-C Corridor is the busiest travel market in this region and therefore the centerpiece of the planned rail system.”

Furthermore, Amtrak, the ORDC and local governments will now have the resources to improve Amtrak train stations in their communities. Ohio has seven Amtrak stations (Alliance, Bryan, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Elyria, Sandusky, Toledo) plus several others across the Ohio River in Maysville KY, South Portsmouth KY, Ashland KY and Huntington WV. These would be “Fix-It First” improvements prior to the startup of expanded train services to those communities.

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Rep. Kucinich Asked to Consider Real Culprit Behind GCRTA Service Cuts

All Aboard Ohio sent a letter on September 25, 2008 to U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-10), expressing its disappointment with the Congressman’s request for a federal investigation of the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority’s finances. In its letter, All Aboard Ohio said such an investigation is dismissive of the root causes of the funding crisis being experienced by two out of every three transit agencies nationwide and that such an investigation will not resolve RTA’s financial issues.

Instead, All Aboard Ohio reminded Rep. Kucinich, a longtime supporter of public transportation, that RTA is overly dependent on a no-growth countywide sales tax for 70 percent of its budget due the near-absence of state or federal operating support. Further, All Aboard Ohio asked Rep. Kucinich to “lead an effort to investigate more sustainable funding solutions for transit agencies facing skyrocketing fuel costs in economically stagnant metro areas like Greater Cleveland.”

All Aboard Ohio gave real-world examples from two New York State cities—Ithaca and Rochester—which have reduced fares and preserved most transit services thanks to increases in state funding. In fact, Rochester (population 206,759) receives twice as much transit funding ($32 million) from New York State as the State of Ohio divides among all transit agencies in a state of 11 million people.

“If Ohio provided similar funding support, imagine RTA being able to reduce fares and possibly expand services,” wrote All Aboard Ohio President Bill Hutchison to Rep. Kucinich. “We are asking for just that and need your help to succeed.”

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Ohio Congressional Delegation to Washington Supports Amtrak Startup Service

Recently, 14 of 18 Representatives from Ohio and both Senators Voinovich and Brown signed a delegation letter in support of Governor Strickland’s request to Amtrak to complete this study as soon as possible.  To see a copy of the letter click on the Amtrak Congressional Letter All Aboard Ohio cannot agree more that our state is looking for other options like rail travel given the current situation with climbing gasoline prices and airline ticket prices among other concerns.

All Aboard Ohio was instrumental in securing many of these signatures to the letter.  We now have an excellent base of support in Washington DC to begin the serious discussion of funding passenger rail operations in Ohio.  Thank you to all of those who contacted their Representatives in Washington.  This letter is a direct effect of your actions!

If you live within one of the signer’s districts please be sure to thank them for reflecting your concerns and that you appreciate all their hard work and

Please note that there were 4 of 18 Representatives who did not sign the letter.  Those who did not sign are Representatives Jim Jordan OH-4, Bob Latta OH-5, Dave Hobson OH-7, and John Boehner OH-8.  If you live in one of these districts I would recommend that you contact your Representative and ask why he did not sign the letter in support of Governor Strickland’s request to Amtrak to provide Ohioans with adequate transportation options.

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