3C Rail Gets Faster

Feeds:: Posts; Comments

« 70/71 Split Fix September 2010 Newsletter

3C Rail Gets Faster

September 24, 2010 by John

Ohio releases faster passenger train schedule
Friday, September 24, 2010 11:33 AM
Associated Press

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A new analysis says trains running on Ohio’s passenger rail project are capable of completing the entire Cleveland-to-Cincinnati route in just over 5 hours, about 90 minutes faster than a previous estimate.

State transportation officials say the new schedule is based a more detailed computer study of trains on the 255-mile route and would make the service more competitive with driving.

President Barack Obama in January awarded Ohio $400 million in stimulus money for a startup rail service with trains reaching 79 mph by late 2012 or 2013.

Also Friday, Ohio received federal approval to spend the first $15 million in stimulus funds. The money will help Ohio hire outside consultants to identify specifications for train equipment and select an operator, possibly Amtrak.

So that’s 255 miles in 5 hours, or 51 MPH on average. That’s a lot more time-competitive with driving than the previous 39 MPH average. It could even be faster than driving if you intend to stop for gas or food somewhere on the way.

So will the politicians stop complaining about the train’s speed now and accept $400 in federal funds to build this for Ohio? Probably not, but I’m still having trouble seeing why. According to a Quinnipac poll, a large majority of Ohioans are in favor of this project.

Rate this:

Like this:

Be the first to like this post.

Posted in Rail X-ing | 5 Comments

5 Responses

on September 25, 2010 at 8:30 am | Reply John

More details from Business Week:

…Ohio’s new, faster train schedule includes three daily roundtrips with departures and arrivals in the morning, afternoon and evening.

The analysis, completed by Woodside Consulting Group Inc. of Palo Alto, Calif., updates a preliminary schedule released by Amtrak in 2009 showing a total run time from Cleveland to Cincinnati of 6 1/2 hours.

The trip is now estimated at 5 hours and 14 minutes. Going the other way – Cincinnati to Cleveland – is slightly faster at 5 hours and 11 minutes.

The schedule includes boarding time at eight stations and translates into an average speed of about 50 mph for the entire route, Varner said. The Cleveland-to-Columbus segment, which figures to have the most ridership, can be completed in 2 hours and 21 minutes for an average speed of about 60 mph.

The state will examine special game-day trains to coincide with major sporting events, such as Ohio State football games, Varner said.

READ MORE
on September 25, 2010 at 2:28 pm | Reply Updated 3C Schedule « Xing Columbus

[...] 25, 2010 by John Building on yesterday’s news, here is the updated schedule. It looks reasonably convienient to me for normal business purposes, [...]
on March 29, 2011 at 9:28 am | Reply bruce

Megabus will now go to Pittsburgh from C’bus so you can catch Amtrak to someplace besides Chicago.
on March 31, 2011 at 9:18 am | Reply bruce

We’d all like Amtrak to stop in Columbus and light rail zipping outside our favorite local, but until those things happen, ‘www.megabus.com’ can get you out of c’bus without a rental car. There are two stops here, one downtown at the northwest corner of Nationwide and High, the other at OSU Ohio Union building on 12th and High St. Service starts April 1. I’ve never used it myself but a lot of friends have and liked it. John, this is not an infomercial.
- on March 31, 2011 at 9:41 am | Reply John
  
  Ha. No risk of me deleting that one.

Comments RSS

Xing Columbus

Discussions About Getting Around Columbus, Ohio