By Alex Sorrells / The Jambar
Germany, Japan, China and South Korea, among others, have had access to nationalized high-speed rail systems for decades now. In the United States, this is far from reality as rail transportation in America is slow, overpriced and often limited to metropolitan centers like New York City and Chicago.
Those interested in traveling from state to state are limited as Amtrak, the leading passenger rail company in the United States, is often delayed on long-distance routes. This, coupled with high travel costs, makes it unrealistic to travel by rail as other options, like flying and driving, are more cost and time efficient.
For example, an Amtrak commuter wanting to travel from New York City to Boston would be looking at a $150 price tag. Let’s bring it back home to Ohio, where a resident looking to travel from Alliance to Cincinnati will be looking at a $220 fare and 26 hours of travel time. This is opposed to a four-hour drive that will not cost nearly as much. All of these issues may see a solution in the coming years as the Ohio Rail Development Commission has submitted the Phase One Corridor ID Draft to the Federal Railroad Administration. According to allaboardohio.org, this is the initial phase that would connect Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus and Cleveland, as well as Toledo and Detroit, respectively.
Not only will these additions be beneficial for the residents utilizing them, but they will also help the state’s economy by creating jobs and opening career opportunities that were not possible due to lengthy commutes.
The benefits can be seen in other states that are promoting the use of passenger rail. For example, the Borealis route, which connects Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois, saw 150,000 passengers in its first 32 weeks. They also profited $2.44 for every $1 invested, according to allaboardohio.org.
In terms of economical and environmental impact, a study conducted by All Aboard Ohio showed that the construction of these lines in Ohio could generate over $100 million for the state’s economy and create around 1,100 jobs. As more people use passenger rail, naturally, fewer people will be driving, lessening the environmental impact that typical gasoline-powered cars produce.
Aside from the state’s benefits, residents of Ohio would see the biggest change. Imagine taking a train from Youngstown to Cleveland for $35, which is similar to prices seen from Amtrak in North Carolina. This is without the stress of stopping for gas, planning a route or dealing with other drivers on the road.
In the end, a high-speed rail system would be a win for Ohio — strengthening the economy, generating hundreds of jobs and making travel easier for everyone.