Ohio just dropped its updated State Rail Plan, and let’s just say… it’s not exactly the all-aboard moment rail fans were hoping for. The plan, required every four years to keep the state eligible for federal rail dollars, leans heavily into freight while keeping passenger rail on the sidelines.
Which isn’t exactly a popular decision. According to ODOT’s own 2024 Transportation Preference Survey, nearly 80% of Ohioans want more investment in passenger rail and public transit. That’s not just city dwellers dreaming of skipping traffic, it’s a statewide consensus.
“All across Ohio, people are asking for better mobility options,” said John Esterly, Executive Director of All Aboard Ohio. “Yet the new State Rail Plan largely sidesteps this public demand. Instead of presenting a bold path forward, it positions passenger rail as a secondary consideration.”
This matters because Ohio is sitting on some pretty exciting opportunities.
Three passenger rail corridors are already in the Federal Railroad Administration’s Corridor ID pipeline, including the long-discussed 3C+D route linking Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, and Cincinnati. But with the Ohio legislature recently slashing funding for the Rail Development Commission, the future of those projects looks shaky.
Advocates argue the state could be missing a once-in-a-generation chance to secure federal funding, create jobs, and give Ohioans real alternatives to car travel. Or, as Esterly put it, “The public wants it, and Ohio deserves it.”
The ORDC board will vote on the plan September 18 at 11 a.m. at their West Broad Street office in Columbus. The meeting is open to the public, both in person and via Zoom. Which means that if you’ve got thoughts about the future of trains in Ohio, now’s the time to hop on board.
