Cleveland commuter rail
Encyclopedia
Commuter rail in Cleveland, Ohio was operated until 1976 on a single route. Since then, there have been several studies into the prospect of new commuter trains in the area, though none have progressed beyond the proposal phase.
, had operated a single daily commuter train between Cleveland and Youngstown, Ohio
. The railroad had attempted to discontinue the train in 1970, along with its other passenger operations other than New Jersey commuter services, but the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio
denied it permission. In 1976, Conrail took over operation of the train, and ridership subsequently dropped. As a result, the service was discontinued on 14 January 1977.
This service operated out of Cleveland Union Terminal
and proceeded through Solon
, Aurora and Warren
before reaching its terminus at Youngstown, a total mileage of 66.2 miles (106.5 km) with thirteen stations served. The majority of the train's riders only rode as far as Aurora, only 23.3 miles (37.5 km) from Cleveland, but it continued as far as Youngstown because that was the first location able to handle turning the trainset around.
, Akron
and Cleveland jointly studied the possibility of rail service between those points. This proposal went as far as the purchase by the cities of both abandoned and in use railroad right-of-ways in the area, and in 1996, the Federal Transit Administration
appropriated several million dollars in improvements to the purchased lines.
From 1997 to 2001, a study into the feasibility of commuter rail in the area, dubbed the Northeast Ohio Commuter Rail Feasibility Study, was conducted, eventually resulting in suggesting operating services on up to seven lines radiating from a proposed multi-model transportation center in downtown Cleveland. It suggested starting the system in three phases, with a potential total ridership of nearly 20,000 people a day, with a start-up cost of roughly $1.7 billion and an annual subsidy of around $55.2 million.
began. The study cost $364,800, paid for with federal and local funds, and was conducted by Parsons Brinckerhoff Inc. It was estimated to take about a year to complete, and by January 2011 was nearing its end. The study would indicate whether rail service or another form of transportation was ideal for the route; if the result was rail, a year-long environmental impact assessment
would be conducted, if not, transportation official in the area would discuss the situation further.
In October 2011, the results of the study were released, though an additional $200,000 analysis for the Federal Transit Administration
was yet to come. The study proposed new local bus service in Lorain County in an initial five-year phase, followed by new commuter buses between Sandusky and Cleveland in the second five-year phase, commuter rail service between Cleveland and Lorain in the third phase, and later an extension to Sandusky. Initial bus services would cost $11 million, with annual operating costs of about $8.3 million, and the second phase of bus services would have $16 million in start-up and $10 million in operating costs, while the Cleveland—Lorain rail service would cost $160 million, with the Sandusky extension costing $220 million, with operating costs of $17 and $18.3 million, respectively.
The service was originally proposed to be operated under a public/private partnership, without using federal funding, though the 2011 study suggested using federal transportation grants, and was to have startup costs of around $100 million, and could begin as early as 2013. Ridership would include commuters, people traveling to Cleveland for sporting events, people traveling to ferry services to the Lake Erie Islands
, and people going to the Cedar Point
amusement park.
Historical
Until 1976 the Erie Lackawanna Railroad, and previously the Erie RailroadErie Railroad
The Erie Railroad was a railroad that operated in New York State, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, originally connecting New York City with Lake Erie...
, had operated a single daily commuter train between Cleveland and Youngstown, Ohio
Youngstown, Ohio
Youngstown is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Mahoning County; it also extends into Trumbull County. The municipality is situated on the Mahoning River, approximately southeast of Cleveland and northwest of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...
. The railroad had attempted to discontinue the train in 1970, along with its other passenger operations other than New Jersey commuter services, but the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio
Public Utilities Commission of Ohio
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio is an agency of State of Ohio that is charged with the regulation of utility service providers such as those of electricity, natural gas, and telecommunications as well as railroad safety and intrastate hazardous materials transport.There are several ways by...
denied it permission. In 1976, Conrail took over operation of the train, and ridership subsequently dropped. As a result, the service was discontinued on 14 January 1977.
This service operated out of Cleveland Union Terminal
Tower City Center
Tower City Center is a large mixed-use facility located on Public Square in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. The facility is composed of a number of interconnected office buildings, including the landmark Terminal Tower, a shopping mall, two hotels, and the main hub of Cleveland's three rapid transit lines...
and proceeded through Solon
Solon, Ohio
Solon is a city in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, and is an affluent suburb of Cleveland in the Northeast Ohio Region, the 14th largest Combined Statistical Area in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 23,348...
, Aurora and Warren
Warren, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 46,832 people, 19,288 households and 12,035 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,912.4 people per square mile . There were 21,279 housing units at an average density of 1,322.9 per square mile...
before reaching its terminus at Youngstown, a total mileage of 66.2 miles (106.5 km) with thirteen stations served. The majority of the train's riders only rode as far as Aurora, only 23.3 miles (37.5 km) from Cleveland, but it continued as far as Youngstown because that was the first location able to handle turning the trainset around.
Past proposals
During the early 1990s, local governments in CantonCanton, Ohio
Canton is the county seat of Stark County in northeastern Ohio, approximately south of Akron and south of Cleveland.The City of Caton is the largest incorporated area within the Canton-Massillon Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, Akron
Akron, Ohio
Akron , is the fifth largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Summit County. It is located in the Great Lakes region approximately south of Lake Erie along the Little Cuyahoga River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 199,110. The Akron Metropolitan...
and Cleveland jointly studied the possibility of rail service between those points. This proposal went as far as the purchase by the cities of both abandoned and in use railroad right-of-ways in the area, and in 1996, the Federal Transit Administration
Federal Transit Administration
The Federal Transit Administration is an agency within the United States Department of Transportation that provides financial and technical assistance to local public transit systems. The FTA is one of ten modal administrations within the DOT...
appropriated several million dollars in improvements to the purchased lines.
From 1997 to 2001, a study into the feasibility of commuter rail in the area, dubbed the Northeast Ohio Commuter Rail Feasibility Study, was conducted, eventually resulting in suggesting operating services on up to seven lines radiating from a proposed multi-model transportation center in downtown Cleveland. It suggested starting the system in three phases, with a potential total ridership of nearly 20,000 people a day, with a start-up cost of roughly $1.7 billion and an annual subsidy of around $55.2 million.
Present proposals
In February 2010, a study into a potential corridor between Cleveland and SanduskySandusky, Ohio
Sandusky is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Erie County. It is located in northern Ohio and is situated on the shores of Lake Erie, almost exactly half-way between Toledo to the west and Cleveland to the east....
began. The study cost $364,800, paid for with federal and local funds, and was conducted by Parsons Brinckerhoff Inc. It was estimated to take about a year to complete, and by January 2011 was nearing its end. The study would indicate whether rail service or another form of transportation was ideal for the route; if the result was rail, a year-long environmental impact assessment
Environmental impact assessment
An environmental impact assessment is an assessment of the possible positive or negative impact that a proposed project may have on the environment, together consisting of the natural, social and economic aspects....
would be conducted, if not, transportation official in the area would discuss the situation further.
In October 2011, the results of the study were released, though an additional $200,000 analysis for the Federal Transit Administration
Federal Transit Administration
The Federal Transit Administration is an agency within the United States Department of Transportation that provides financial and technical assistance to local public transit systems. The FTA is one of ten modal administrations within the DOT...
was yet to come. The study proposed new local bus service in Lorain County in an initial five-year phase, followed by new commuter buses between Sandusky and Cleveland in the second five-year phase, commuter rail service between Cleveland and Lorain in the third phase, and later an extension to Sandusky. Initial bus services would cost $11 million, with annual operating costs of about $8.3 million, and the second phase of bus services would have $16 million in start-up and $10 million in operating costs, while the Cleveland—Lorain rail service would cost $160 million, with the Sandusky extension costing $220 million, with operating costs of $17 and $18.3 million, respectively.
The service was originally proposed to be operated under a public/private partnership, without using federal funding, though the 2011 study suggested using federal transportation grants, and was to have startup costs of around $100 million, and could begin as early as 2013. Ridership would include commuters, people traveling to Cleveland for sporting events, people traveling to ferry services to the Lake Erie Islands
Lake Erie Islands
The Lake Erie Islands are a chain of archipelagic islands in Lake Erie. They include Kelleys Island, Pelee Island, the Bass Islands, and several others. The majority of these islands are under the sovereignty of Ohio in the United States. Pelee Island is the only major island administered by...
, and people going to the Cedar Point
Cedar Point
Cedar Point is a 364 acre amusement park located in Sandusky, Ohio, United States on a narrow peninsula jutting into Lake Erie. Cedar Point is the only amusement park with four roller coasters that are taller than...
amusement park.