CRESTLINE- We could see the return of Amtrak rail service to Crestline in the next few years. Crestline could be part of the new high-speed line that will connect Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, and Cincinnati. A press conference was held Friday morning at the Crestline Village Hall. Crestline Mayor Linda Horning-Pitt was joined by Amtrak’s senior manager of government affairs, Derrick James.
The 50-year-old National Railroad Passenger Corporation, known as Amtrak, announced their Amtrak Connects US plan to grow rail service that includes new and improved routes to add millions of more passengers in the next 15 years.
Derrick James referenced it would be a return for Amtrak to Crestline after losing service in the early 90s. “This time, it will be the trains that come multiple times during the daytime,” said James.
As part of Amtrak’s 2035 vision, in the next 15 years, Amtrak would like to add service to 160 more communities and add 20 million more passengers than the 32 million served in 2019. They anticipate 386,000 annual passengers on the new Ohio route.
James explained that governmental processes need to be completed and did not have a definitive timeline when passengers would be boarding trains in Crestline.
Mayor Horning-Pitt and Derrick James were joined by State Rep Riordan McClain (R-Upper Sandusky) and Sen. Bill Reineke (R-Tiffin) to show their support for the project.