Amplifying Amtrak

SANDUSKY — Local officials are on board with a plan to enhance rail service across Ohio, connecting Sandusky, by track, with several different regional metropolitans. During a recent public meeting, city commissioners formalized their support for creating more opportunities so Amtrak can pull through Sandusky's station, off North Depot Street, on a more frequent basis, no matter to pick up or drop off passengers. Tom Horsman, the city's transit administrator, explained the importance of this legislation and potential plan: • The legislation: "This resolution voices the city of Sandusky's support for Amtrak's new expansion plan called Amtrak Connects U.S." • The proposal: "This 15-year plan would be funded through the proposed passenger rail allocation in President Biden's American Jobs Plan." Note: Biden's American Jobs Plan, proposes to spend about $2 trillion over 10 years on infrastructure projects, including roads, ports, airports, transit systems, water and sewer improvements, internet broadband and housing. • The present-day issue: "Sandusky is currently one of only seven cities in Ohio that has daily Amtrak service, although the trains only come through Sandusky in the middle of the night." Note: Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited, spanning Chicago to New York City, stops in Sandusky for westbound trips at 4:55 a.m. and for eastbound trips at 4:07 a.m. • The improvement: "This plan would add three additional daytime trains per day headed west to Toledo and Detroit and three additional daytime trains headed east to Cleveland. From those cities, riders could connect to cities such as Chicago, New York, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C." • The benefits: "This increase in service would allow people in Sandusky to be better connected to other cities throughout Ohio and the region. Train travel is advantageous as it is more environmentally friendly than plane travel, and it also makes it easier to board a train in Sandusky than having to drive to Cleveland or Detroit to get to an airport. In fact, Amtrak's plan would include a station at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. More frequent train service in Sandusky would greatly benefit both our residents and visitors traveling to our city." Note: In 2018 and 2019, an average of about 9,000 passenger boardings took place in Sandusky, ranking third in Ohio behind Cleveland and Toledo. • The changes: "If this plan is implemented, Sandusky's Amtrak station's platform would likely need to be extended to accommodate more frequent trains. In the future, the city would work with Amtrak and the Ohio Rail Development Commission to ensure that the station is meeting the needs of Amtrak customers."