Urban Indiana

Experts weigh in on idea of expanded passenger rail service in Indiana

As the Federal Railway Administration and Amtrak hammer out their plans to expand passenger service, some industry experts say Indiana is lagging behind neighboring states in doing the same.

"Indiana seems to be the state that is doing the least right now," said Steven Coxhead, Indiana's private sector commissioner with the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission (MIPRC).

Coxhead said Indiana has only requested federal funding to boost service between Indianapolis and Chicago — leaving individual cities to make their own requests.

More below:
https://fox59.com/news/experts-weigh-in-on-idea-of-expanded-passenger-rail-service-in-indiana/

INDOT to study expansion of Indy-to-Chicago train service

The Indiana Department of Transportation has qualified for a federal grant of up to $500,000 to explore expanding existing Amtrak rail service between Indianapolis and Chicago, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced Friday.

INDOT is expected to use the funding to develop a service plan for the Amtrak Cardinal line that would include increasing its frequency from three days a week to seven days and improving travel times. The plan calls for determining how much it will cost to make and maintain those changes.

"This is a first step toward expanding passenger rail in Indiana," said INDOT Commissioner Mike Smith in written remarks. "Receiving this funding allows us to gather essential information to make more informed decisions going forward."

More below:
https://www.insideindianabusiness.com/articles/indot-to-study-expansion-of-indy-to-chicago-train-service