So how do we feel about the train idea? (Columbus: appointed, costs)

[Peregrine]

I couldn't be more disappointed. LOVE the idea. The execution, though....

It will take 3 hours to get to Columbus. 3. Why even bother? I can drive quicker. Not to even mention if I took the train just to hang out in Columbus for a weekend... what am I going to do, cab it everywhere? Ridiculous.

Now if it took an HOUR. Imagine the possibilities. We could be looking for jobs in Columbus and vice versa.

[1watertiger]

i think once the initial plan gets started you will see continued growth and speed of the rail plan.. i do agree strongly about the poor connectability after you reach cloumbus and cincy.. hopefully cincy gets their streetcars to help visitors get around town. columbus will really need to upgrade its transit, even the bus system they have is severly lacking.Ohio Hub Maps.

[jojoboulette]

can you expand on this train? is it a definite thing, or just being discussed? and yes, amazing that they can't put a high-speed train in there... would do both cities a lot of good

[Nemuri]

I'd rather take a nap for 3hrs to get to the Cbus than drive my own car for 2

[Peregrine]

3C is ME (http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Rail/Programs/passenger/3CisME/Pages/default.aspx - broken link)

Yes, it is definite. They do talk about upgrading the speed in the future, but I just think we should go big from the start or not go at all.

[Cleveland_Collector]

My source at the state engineer's office says that their will be two train routes. One will be local, the other will be express. The local train will take around 3 hours to get to Columbus (with 3-4 stops). The express will take less than 2 hrs. However, I do agree that local public transportation will be an issue for every city other than Cleveland.

All in all, I think it's a great idea. To be honest and for many reasons, I think that air travel will decrease significantly over the next decade between cities less than 300-400 miles from one another. There will be an uptick in train travel as it has always been more economical (a train carrying 1000 people costs less to own an operate than a jet carrying 50) and there is way less bull**** involved in actually getting on the train. We might as well prepare for that while we can so it isn't the usual mad scramble to get "something" in place when the inevitable occurs.

Jojo: It is a definite plan to have a commuter rail line that goes from Cleveland to Columbus, Dayton, Cincinnati, and areas in between. What hasn't been defined is the scope of the entire rail system. The state is leaning towards a dual medium-speed rail (80-120 MPH) as it can utilize some commercial rail already in place. It's definitely a high enough speed to traverse the state in a reasonable amount of time. Right now, the plane ride to Cincinnati from CLE is about 3 hours from the CLE parking lot to the CVG baggage claim (roughly an hour less than driving). The intent is to have the train ride be the same amount of time as the flight only at about 1/3 of the cost.

[Peregrine]

I haven't heard anything about an "Express Line" and that is not mentioned on the official site that I posted. They say 3 hours with stops.

[jojoboulette]

Interesting and I'd say about time, but does seem a shame they can't make it high speed...

[deskjockey]

What a joke.

[Cleveland_Collector]

Deskjock, what the hell do you know about it? Either get educated or shut your yapping piehole, you ignorant ****.

A high-end mag-lev bullet train would cost in the billions. In OH, you can barely get the useless rednecks who reside in 75% of the state to pay for anything outside of farm subsidies (and even then they expect "somebody else" to pay for it). Everything is considered "welfare" or "socialist" unless some jerkwater hick reaps a direct benefit. Therefore, you take what you can get in these circumstances.