Monday, August 9, 2010

PennDOT: Keystone Rail Service Sees Record 1.27 Million Trips

So much good rail news happening -- elsewhere....
 
 
http://www.dot.state.pa.us/Internet/pdNews.nsf/8c5bc4e349ab4db6852576c800678468/c4bb9e1a86fea8af8525777a0063c2d2?OpenDocument

PennDOT: Keystone Service Sees Record 1.27 Million Trips
  08/09/2010

Harrisburg – Amtrak's Keystone Service between Harrisburg and Philadelphia saw a new ridership record of 1.27 million trips last fiscal year, state Transportation Secretary Allen D. Biehler, P.E., said today.

Ridership from July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010 totaled 1.277 million, which was a 3.9 percent increase from the previous fiscal year's record of 1.229 million trips.

"The Keystone Service is an excellent transportation option for commuters and leisure travelers alike, and these numbers prove that people are taking notice," Biehler said. "As highway congestion worsens and fuel prices increase, people are looking for alternative transportation options. This service is easy to use and also provides access to communities along the route."

"Since we re-launched the Keystone Service in 2006, we have seen ridership steadily increase – a testament to the strong partnership we have with the commonwealth to provide increased rail service that works for Pennsylvanians," said Joe McHugh, vice president of government affairs and corporate communications for Amtrak.

In 2006, Pennsylvania completed a $145-million joint effort with Amtrak and the Federal Transit Administration to upgrade service on the 104-mile line. With the electrification of the route and signal improvements, the line now offers 110-mph, 90-minute express service between Harrisburg, Lancaster and Philadelphia. The service also provides a direct connection to New York City.

To learn more about the Keystone Service, visit
www.CatchtheKeystone.com. Tickets may be purchased at Amtrak.com. For information on alternative transportation modes and how you can integrate them into your commuting habits, visit www.PACommutes.com.
 
 
 
Ken Prendergast
Executive Director
All Aboard Ohio
12029 Clifton Blvd., Suite 505
Cleveland, OH 44107
(216) 288-4883
kenprendergast@allaboardohio.org
www.allaboardohio.org

Media Alert

COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL
MEDIA ALERT
 
For Immediate Release: August 9, 2010
 
For More Information:
John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798
 
 
CITY COUNCIL AND SCHOOL DISTRICT WORK TOGETHER TO DEMOLISH BLIGHTED BUILDING
 
 
WHO:
Councilmember Andrew J. Ginther, Safety Committee Chair
Carol Perkins, President, Columbus Board of Education
Bill Adams, East Columbus Civic Association
 
 
WHEN:
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
10:00 AM
 
WHERE:
East Elementary School
3100 East 7th Avenue
 
 
WHAT:
   
For many years, the Columbus City Council and Columbus City Schools (CCS) have worked to purchase a vacant and abandoned building near East Elementary School.  The blighted structure was a center for criminal activity and danger for the neighborhood and children.  Demolition of the site begins tomorrow morning.
 
 
-30-
 
 
 
 

Rail-transit lessons from other states

An example of what might be possible at some cities in Ohio and Western Pennsylvania:
 
TOWN OF NORMAL, ILL., AND AMTRAK BREAK GROUND
FOR MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION CENTER

New station for Amtrak passengers and local transit users;
Ridership on the Chicago-St. Louis corridor is up 50,000 from last year, 11 percent growth
 
 
 
Ken Prendergast
Executive Director
All Aboard Ohio
12029 Clifton Blvd., Suite 505
Cleveland, OH 44107
(216) 288-4883
kenprendergast@allaboardohio.org
www.allaboardohio.org

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Calling all techies!

CALLING ALL TECHIES!!!

 ALL ABOARD OHIO WANTS YOU!

 
All Aboard Ohio is forming an technology advisory committee and we need your help. We are looking for people who have a background or interest in Web sites, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin or any other form of communication. Webmasters or web designers are most welcome. We are currently having our Web site redone, but will need help in keeping it and other media up to date.
 
This is an exciting time. We are also considering going statewide with Widget and iPhone apps to make passenger trains an easy choice for travelers and to spread the word about All Aboard Ohio.
 
Please contact us! Together, we can make a difference! Not a member? No problem. Just join us via the brochure at  http://freepdfhosting.com/b3c104549c.pdf. Our online membership application is not yet functional.
 
Yes! I am interested!
 
Name:
 
Address:
 
Phone:
 
Email:
 
Background or other information:
 
 
 
Thanks!
 
 
Ken Prendergast
Executive Director
All Aboard Ohio
12029 Clifton Blvd., Suite 505
Cleveland, OH 44107
(216) 288-4883
kenprendergast@allaboardohio.org
www.allaboardohio.org

All Aboard Ohio local meetings REV

** PLEASE NOTE CINCINNATI MEETING IS CANCELED FOR THIS MONTH.
 
All Aboard Ohio Local Meetings
 
August 2010
 
 
10th -- 6:30 p.m.; CINCINNATI -- CANCELED DUE TO RENOVATIONS UNDERWAY AT TOWER A MEETING SITE IN UNION TERMINAL.
 
12th -- Noon; YOUNGSTOWN -- Regional Chamber conference room 17th floor, 11 Central Square, Youngstown. Topics: CYP TechBelt Corridor advocacy, static display presentation, updates, etc. Brown bag lunch meeting but chamber will provide soft drinks. RSVP: Shari Budge at 330-744-2131 Ext 31.
 
14th -- 10 a.m.; TOLEDO -- Toledo Amtrak Station, MLK Plaza, 415 Emerald Ave., Toledo. Topics: Amtrak service issues, All Aboard Ohio-Destination Toledo project, Ohio Hub PEIS Study, ODOT futures meeting, etc. Contact: Bill Gill at 419-536-1924.
 
14th -- 10 a.m.; COLUMBUS -- Grandview Public Library, 1685 West First Ave., Grandview. Topics: Local display opportunities for All Aboard Ohio, 3C update, Ohio Hub PEIS Study, local transit issues, etc. Contact: Larry Robertson at 614-459-0359.
 
14th -- 10 a.m.; CLEVELAND -- Willow Coffee House, 11620 Madison Ave., Cleveland, across Madison from the West 117th Rapid station. Topics: Local display opportunities for All Aboard Ohio, 3C update, Ohio Hub PEIS Study, West Shore Corridor update, etc. Contact: Ken Prendergast at 216-288-4883.
 
 
Please attend and get involved in your community! Write letters to the editor! Set up All Aboard Ohio displays at local events! Get a local letter-writing campaign going! Schedule meetings with your state legislators in their districts! Create All Aboard Ohio chapters at local colleges and universities! These are just a few ideas.
 
Need All Aboard Ohio brochures? Download them here:
http://freepdfhosting.com/b3c104549c.pdf
3C Talking Points? Download them here:
http://freepdfhosting.com/3a603c9121.pdf
3C Mythbusters!
http://freepdfhosting.com/db21068f6e.pdf
3C Corridor comparison:
http://freepdfhosting.com/7e28c8a73e.pdf
 
 
Ken Prendergast
Executive Director
All Aboard Ohio
12029 Clifton Blvd., Suite 505
Cleveland, OH 44107
(216) 288-4883
kenprendergast@allaboardohio.org
www.allaboardohio.org

Friday, August 6, 2010

Liquor Objection Process Media Release

COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL
MEDIA RELEASE
 
For Immediate Release: August 6, 2010
 
For More Information:
John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798
 
CITY COUNCIL BEGINS LIQUOR OBJECTION PROCESS
 
(COLUMBUS)–Columbus City Councilmember Andrew J. Ginther and Columbus City Attorney, Richard C. Pfeiffer, Jr. have launched the City’s annual liquor permit renewal objection process.
 
The State of Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of Liquor Control issues liquor permits, which must be renewed every year. The permit renewal process allows for municipalities to object to the renewal of specific permits based upon the manner in which the permit holder conducts business.
 
The first step in the City’s objection process requires the input of neighborhood leaders, safety advocates and community members. After receiving public input, the Columbus City Attorney and the Columbus Division of Police investigate problem liquor establishments. In December, Columbus City Council will vote on resolutions which represent the City’s formal objections to establishments found to be operating in an irresponsible manner, outside community standards, or which have placed an excessive burden on law enforcement due to crime or other illegal activity.
 
For more information on how to report a problem liquor establishment, please click on the following link.
 
Community input must be received by the Columbus City Attorney by September 15, 2010.
 
–30–
 
 
 
 
 

LaHood stands by Ohio rail project (More Detailed)

This article has more detail than the one sent along yesterday from the Dayton Daily News.....
 
 
LaHood stands by Ohio rail project
Kasich vows to stop plans if elected
Friday, August 6, 2010  02:54 AM
By Matt Leingang
ASSOCIATED PRESS
 
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood downplayed threats yesterday by Ohio Republicans to stop a high-profile passenger rail project if they take over state government in the November election.
 
LaHood, a former Republican congressman from Illinois, said the $400 million stimulus project to connect Ohio's major cities is an important part of a national rail program, similar to the development of the federal highway system, which took five decades to complete and survived numerous elections.
 
"The reason that Ohio is connected to an interstate system that runs all over America is because it was a national plan. Ohio will be connected (to rail)," LaHood said after meeting with construction workers to talk about the impact of the federal stimulus package.
 
READ MORE AT:
 
 
Ken Prendergast
Executive Director
All Aboard Ohio
12029 Clifton Blvd., Suite 505
Cleveland, OH 44107
(216) 288-4883
kenprendergast@allaboardohio.org
www.allaboardohio.org