Initiative is to have daily train run between Cincinnati, Chicago

When a Tri-Stater thinks about going to Chicago, taking a train is likely not the first transportation option that comes to mind.Some local train proponents want to change that.Derek Bauman is the southwest regional director of All Aboard Ohio.Watch this storyBauman made a presentation to a regional meeting of transportation officials on Monday discussing the benefits of increased passenger rail traffic to Chicago.Currently, the only option is Amtrak’s 2 a.m. departure from Union Terminal three days a week.The initiative wants to increase the rail schedule to a daily train at a reasonable hour.“What we're looking at doing is making passenger rail an actual transportation option, a realistic option to be able to connect to Chicago,” Bauman said.The hope is to increase rail traffic and, in time, improve rail infrastructure to increase rail speed to make the trip faster. Right now the trip on Amtrak takes about seven hours.This is an initiative being done in many Midwest cities, and Cincinnati does not want to be left behind.At this point, there are no dollars assigned to the project, but local officials hope to investigate grants to help pay for it.

When a Tri-Stater thinks about going to Chicago, taking a train is likely not the first transportation option that comes to mind.

Some local train proponents want to change that.

Advertisement Related Content Hamilton Co. commissioners vote in favor of passenger rail route to Chicago

Derek Bauman is the southwest regional director of All Aboard Ohio.

Watch this story

Bauman made a presentation to a regional meeting of transportation officials on Monday discussing the benefits of increased passenger rail traffic to Chicago.

Currently, the only option is Amtrak’s 2 a.m. departure from Union Terminal three days a week.

The initiative wants to increase the rail schedule to a daily train at a reasonable hour.

“What we're looking at doing is making passenger rail an actual transportation option, a realistic option to be able to connect to Chicago,” Bauman said.

The hope is to increase rail traffic and, in time, improve rail infrastructure to increase rail speed to make the trip faster. Right now the trip on Amtrak takes about seven hours.

This is an initiative being done in many Midwest cities, and Cincinnati does not want to be left behind.

At this point, there are no dollars assigned to the project, but local officials hope to investigate grants to help pay for it.