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Preliminary ‘Immediate Needs’ assessment of Mahoning Valley rail infrastructure is released
On May 10, a sister organization of All Aboard Ohio called RESTORE released its preliminary “Immediate Needs” rail infrastructure assessment for the Mahoning Valley. The client is the Western Reserve Port Authority (WRPA) which has considered whether to support rail infrastructure improvements and, if so, which ones may be the most appropriate for building its organizational [...]
Chicago rail access planning OK’d
The Federal Railroad Administration along with Norfolk Southern and the states of Illinois, Indiana and Michigan are contributing a total of $4 million to make it easier for existing and expanded passenger rail service to access Chicago to/from the east. Existing and future passenger trains to/from Ohio will be an important beneficiary. The funding will [...]
Cleveland RTA innovates new labor deal
In what appears to be the first such labor agreement in the U.S. transit industry, the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority’s (GCRTA) board of trustees approved on April 16 an innovative labor agreement tied to the agency’s revenues. The agreement is with the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 268, which represents 1,700 out of GCRTA’s 2,300 [...]
Does Ohio transport policy violate ADA?
April 3, 2012 Ken Prendergast Executive Director All Aboard Ohio kenprendergast@allaboardohio.org (216) 288-4883 _________________ Does Ohio’s transportation policy, which leaves just 1 percent of its transportation budget for non-highway modes like transit, rail and complete streets, violate the Americans with Disabilities Act? This question needs to be asked with greater frequency and urgency as 9 percent [...]
Cincinnati Streetcar breaks ground!
An important event in Ohio transit history occurred on Feb. 17, 2012! See and read about the Cincinnati Streetcar groundbreaking ceremonies at the links below…. POSTED: 1:52 pm EST February 17, 2012 http://www.wlwt.com/video/30484654/detail.html (may take a while to download) See photo gallery of groundbreaking ceremony http://www.jjakucyk.com/streetcargroundbreaking/ (do not use photos without express written permission of [...]
AAO responds to recommendation for Blue Line Corridor extension plan
For Immediate Release Jan. 30, 2012 Ken Prendergast Executive Director All Aboard Ohio kenprendergast@allaboardohio.org (216) 288-4883 On Jan. 31 and Feb. 2, public meetings will be held to update citizens on progress of the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority’s (GCRTA) Blue Line Corridor Extension Alternatives Analysis (details at: http://www.riderta.com/nu_notices-community.asp). After two years of Alternatives Analysis [...]
Why is ODOT Director Wray an “expert witness” for Congress on passenger rail?
UPDATE, DEC. 6, 9:00 a.m.: Director Wray was removed from the final witness list. No reason given. For Immediate Release Dec. 5, 2011 Ken Prendergast Executive Director All Aboard Ohio kenprendergast@allaboardohio.org (216) 288-4883 Tomorrow, U.S. House Subcommittee on Railroads Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA) is scheduled to hold a hearing titled “The Federal Railroad Administration’s High [...]
Statewide groups say pro-rail vote in Cincinnati essential for keeping young people, jobs and hope in Ohio
For Immediate Release Nov. 9, 2011 Ken Prendergast Executive Director All Aboard Ohio kenprendergast@allaboardohio.org (216) 288-4883 Jack Shaner Deputy Director Ohio Environmental Council jack@theOEC.org (614) 466-1693 ________ All Aboard Ohio and the Ohio Environmental Council congratulate the voters of Cincinnati for turning back anti-rail and anti-city forces who would restrain the city from competing with [...]
Report ties jobs to high-speed rail bid
From Business First of Columbus Ohio Public Interest Research Group says the state’s high-speed passenger rail plan would create jobs and drive economic growth. The nonprofit advocacy organization released a 63-page report Monday as Ohio officials consider whether to accept a $400 million federal stimulus grant to help develop a passenger rail system connecting Cincinnati, [...]
Gulfstream International Group secures fed subsidy to provide air service to Cleveland
From Crain’s Cleveland Business Gulfstream International Group Inc. (AMEX: GIA), a Florida-based operator of a fleet of commuter aircraft, said it will receive $8.5 million in federal subsidies under the Essential Air Service Program for flights between five small communities and Cleveland. The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded the company new, two-year contracts as [...]