Cleveland - Toledo - Detroit
Connecting communities across Ohio and Michigan
Amtrak’s Vision: Cleveland — Toledo — Detroit/Pontiac
This new corridor connects large Midwest cities, connects with proposed and new corridor services in Cleveland and Detroit, and ties to long distance rail service across northern Ohio.
Corridor Growth
The route would connect three major population centers in the Great Lakes, which are growing in population and in jobs. For example, according to the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Detroit has added nearly 300,000 jobs to its economy since 2011. These new rail connections between major metro areas and smaller cities would improve mobility for underserved communities and provide reliable and efficient transportation to education and employment opportunities along the route.
Although Cleveland and Detroit are two of the largest cities on the Great Lakes, they have not had a passenger rail connection to Toledo since 2004. The last time Detroit had direct passenger rail service to Toledo was in the early 1960s. Thanks to new proposed corridors and enhanced Amtrak service, Cleveland and Detroit are set to become a Midwest passenger rail hubs. In addition to the existing Lake Shore Limited and Capitol Limited, Cleveland could see new service to New York City via Buffalo and Pittsburgh, and three roundtrips a day to and from Cincinnati. The terminus in Pontiac allows residents of the northern Detroit suburbs to take the train to Detroit, Chicago, and Cleveland. A new Detroit hub would be built on more frequent trips to Chicago, and new services to Toledo, Cleveland, and Toronto.
Proposed Stations
- Cleveland, OH
- Cleveland Hopkins Airport, OH (NEW)
- Elyria, OH
- Sandusky, OH
- Toledo, OH
- Detroit Metro Airport, MI (NEW)
- Detroit, MI
- Royal Oak, MI
- Troy, MI
- Pontiac, MI
Environment and Transportation Equity
Much of the travel between Cleveland and Detroit takes place on I-90 and I-75, even though the distance between the cities of less than 170 miles represents the sweet spot for intercity passenger rail service.
In addition, both cities have complicated histories of inequitable freeway expansions, destroying Black and immigrant neighborhoods. Over half the area of downtown Detroit is made up of surface parking lots, which have even replaced many of Detroit's historic buildings. A lack of investment in reliable public transportation alternatives has limited the potential for residents and the regional economy.
Amtrak riders would be able to transfer to Cleveland’s RTA Light Rail System and Detroit’s SMART bus network, the QLine Streetcar, and the Detroit People Mover.
Connections to Higher Education
A Chicago — Detroit/Pontiac Amtrak service would create new connections between major metropolitan cities, medium-sized cities, and colleges and universities. Students, their families, faculty, and staff will be able to take advantage of frequent Amtrak service to avoid traffic between destinations and to enjoy greater productivity or relaxation while they travel.
Colleges and universities served by the Chicago — Detroit/Pontiac corridor include:
- Cleveland State University (Student Population: 17,000)
- Case Western University (Student Population: 5,000)
- John Carroll University (Student Population: 3,700)
- The University of Toledo (Student Population: 20,000)
- Lourdes University (Student Population: 2,500)
- Bowling Green State University (Student Population: 17,000)
- University of Detroit Mercy (Student Population: 5,000)
- Wayne State University (Student Population: 27,000)
- University of Michigan – Dearborn (Student Population: 10,000)
Recent News
“ Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson takes part in Amtrak roundtable for more passenger rail service in Ohio .” WKYC, Dave DeNatale and Laura Caso. May 18, 2021.
“ Amtrak expansion proposal includes new trains for Toledo, region .” Toledo Blade, David Patch. Apr 3, 2021.
“ Amtrak pitches new, improved train routes including Detroit to Toronto .” Click On Detroit, Dave Bartkowiak. Apr 1, 2021.
“ Cleveland City Council passes resolution supporting Amtrak's proposed Ohio expansion .” WKYC, Dave DeNatale. Mar 9, 2021.