The medium speed rail system connecting Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, and Cleveland has not been removed from Gov. Strickland’s transportation bill. The Republican controlled Ohio Senate did change parts of the bill:
The Senate’s transportation committee did not, however, kill the most debated provision of the plan: a passenger-rail corridor connecting Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati.
The Republican-led Senate had been expected to change parts of Strickland’s two-year transportation budget, which had passed the House with the support of Strickland’s fellow Democrats and only one Republican.
However, the Senate Highways and Transportation Committee did more than work around the edges. It took out a provision allowing police to cite drivers for not wearing seat belts, even if that was their only violation. It eliminated a test program to monitor driver speed in construction zones and automatically cite violators. It took out provisions allowing local governments to set up authorities to charge tolls to drivers on new roads.
The changes passed on a party-line vote, with all six Republican senators in support and all three Democrats opposing.
Read more about the Ohio Transportation Bill HERE.
The front page of today’s Dayton Daily News also ran a pro-rail article: Riverside deputy mayor touts rail car production at empty plants
Filed under: multi-modal transit, ohio , 3C rail, All Aboard Ohio, passenger rail in Ohio
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