Sparse schedule dooms Ohio's proposed rail line

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5:59 PM Friday, March 5, 2010

For passenger rail service to be successful in Ohio, the economic model will have to change from the 3-Cs to one of a commuter service running from the suburbs to downtown.

Commuter rail would work by having stations in the larger communities in the Miami Valley, with the hub in downtown Dayton.

From there, people could catch trains running to the larger cities across the state and country.

Most important, there would have to be frequent service — not two or three trains a day.

Here’s why the current proposed system is doomed to fail in Dayton:

• Scheduled departures of only three trains a day to Cincy and Columbus will almost guarantee business people won’t ride the train. People will find it more convenient to drive.

• The first train to leave Dayton for Cincinnati departs at 8:24 a.m., arriving in downtown Cincinnati at 10 a.m. The first train headed for Columbus departs at 8:40 a.m. and arrives at 10:32 a.m.

You’d better get your business done quickly, since only one train heads back to Dayton the rest of the day, and it leaves Columbus at 2:53 p.m.

• Thousands of people in the Miami Valley drive to Cincinnati every day or when the Reds are playing at home in the summer.

Again, the proposed schedule ensures those fans will be driving and not riding. The last train of the day in Cincinnati departs at 4:15 p.m., 45 minutes before most would-be commuters end their workday.

Michael Rose

Fairborn

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