Voices of More Ohioans to shape Ohio’s 3C “Quick Start” Passenger Rail Plan

COLUMBUS (Wednesday, August 26, 2009) - On-line, on the phone, on the radio, and in person - more Ohioans are making their voices and opinions heard on Ohio’s 3C “Quick Start” Passenger Rail Plan.

The Ohio Rail Development Commission (ORDC) and the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) are gathering broad public input on the 3C “Quick Start” Passenger Rail Plan, which will connect Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, and Cincinnati as part of the nationally-prioritized Chicago Hub Network.

Public input and expert technical analysis are helping ORDC and ODOT identify the most viable routes for the initial 79-mph 3C “Quick Start” service. With funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the 3C “Quick Start” plan would have conventional-speed passenger service running by as early as 2011, generating jobs and economic development, and putting travel choice in reach of more than 60 percent of Ohio’s population.

Thousands of Ohioans across the state have already proclaimed, “Ohio’s 3C is Me!” by logging on to 3CisME.ohio.gov, an online portal to find the latest news and share public comments on passenger rail. The website has registered more than 5,000 hits since its launch in July.

Today, ORDC and ODOT are adding several more ways for Ohioans to provide comment and learn more about the passenger rail proposal:

Statewide radio - now airing as a public service announcement on approximately 200 radio stations in Ohio in cooperation with the Ohio Association of Broadcasters.

3C is Me Hotline - can be reached toll-free 24 hours a day at: 1-877-7-3CisMe (1-877-732-4763).

3CisME.ohio.gov - provides an overview of the plan, provides access to presentations and study documents, and invites comment through an online survey. Please note that Internet access is also available at public libraries.

Public meetings – in September, there will be public open-house meetings in each of the 3Cs. Each open house is located on a bus line and is accessible for people with disabilities. The meetings will be held from 4-7 p.m. at:

• Columbus – 4-7 p.m. Sept. 15, King Arts Complex, 867 Mt. Vernon Ave., Columbus.
  Served by COTA routes 6, 16, 81.
  
• Cleveland – 4-7 p.m. Sept. 16, Cleveland Airport Holiday Inn, 4181 W. 150th St., Cleveland.
  Served by RTA routes 66X (Red Line Rapid), 70, 78 and 809.
  
• Cincinnati – 4-7 p.m. Sept. 17, City Hall Council Chambers, 801 Plum St., Cincinnati.
  Served by Metro routes 1, 6, 10, 32, 33, 40X, 49 and 50.

People with special communication needs who are interested in attending the public meetings should contact Miranda Terrill at 3CisMe@dot.state.oh.us or (614) 221-2885 at least 48-hours in advance.

ORDC and ODOT will use information collected from the public comments to finalize Ohio’s application for stimulus funding, which is due by Oct. 2. 

  For more information, contact Scott Varner, ODOT Communications, at (614) 644-8640
or Stu Nicholson, Ohio Rail Development Commission, at (614) 644-0513.

Additional information can be found at http://3CisME.ohio.gov