The Ability Center of Greater Toledo has released the results of a comprehensive survey highlighting the critical need for enhanced passenger rail services in northwest Ohio.
The survey, conducted between April and June 2023, received more than 500 responses, revealing a strong demand for improved passenger rail connectivity, especially among residents with disabilities. The center urges policymakers to support the Cleveland-Toledo-Detroit corridor identified by the FRA and advocate for a passenger rail route connecting Detroit-Toledo-Columbus and a highspeed rail link to Detroit. This call comes in the wake of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, signed in November, 2021, which allocates a $66 billion investment in rail infrastructure, representing the largest investment in passenger rail since the inception of Amtrak.
Key findings from the survey included:
•High interest in passenger rail: The survey showed strong interest in increased passenger rail services in northwest Ohio among residents aged 25 to 65 and older, both with and without disabilities, including those who do not regularly use public transit.
•Desired connections to major cities: Respondents expressed a desire for inter-city rail connections to all major cities in Ohio and southern Michigan, especially Columbus.
•Benefits of increased rail connections: Enhanced intercity rail services are seen as pivotal to boosting northwest Ohio’s cultural, social and economic connections.
•Current rail services lacking: The existing inter-city rail connections are deemed inadequate due to limited availability, slow speeds, high costs and lack of accessibility for people with disabilities.
“The Ability Center is committed to making the Toledo region the most disability-friendly in the nation. Accessible public transit is a key to independence for individuals with disabilities, and enhancing passenger rail services is crucial in this regard,” said Stuart James, executive director at the Ability Center.
The advocacy department emphasizes the importance of these survey findings as a call to action for policymakers, transportation authorities and stakeholders.
