This ambitious initiative aims to redefine sustainable and efficient travel across the nation, making it a cornerstone topic for transportation enthusiasts and environmental advocates alike.

Key Highlights: Detroit to New Orleans and New York City to Dallas Routes

Central to the FRA’s proposal are two major routes: a direct connection from Detroit to New Orleans and another from New York City to Dallas, both of which pass through Columbus. These routes are designed to enhance the national rail network, offering new travel options to approximately 6.68 million people across nine metropolitan areas currently lacking Amtrak service.

Highlighting cities such as Columbus, Dayton, Cincinnati, Louisville, Nashville, Mobile, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Indianapolis, St. Louis, and Oklahoma City, these “preferred routes” stand as a testament to the FRA’s dedication to nationwide connectivity.

The Vision for Long-Distance Rail Travel

Defined as routes exceeding 750 miles, these long-distance journeys are at the heart of the FRA’s vision for the future of train travel in the U.S. While the proposal outlines a roadmap for reconnecting parts of the country, its realization hinges on legislative support and multi-jurisdictional collaboration, pointing toward a potential operational timeline by 2040.

Advancements in Ohio: A Model for Expansion

Parallel to the long-distance proposals, the FRA’s prioritization of four shorter routes within Ohio, including the 3C+D Corridor and the Midwest Connect Corridor, underscores immediate efforts to boost regional rail connectivity. These projects, buoyed by federal funding, serve as critical steps toward the broader goal of national rail service expansion.

Public Enthusiasm and Support

The public response, spearheaded by advocacy groups like All Aboard Ohio, underscores the widespread excitement and support for the FRA’s plans. This enthusiasm is backed by increasing ridership numbers, showcasing a growing demand for rail travel and highlighting the importance of investing in America’s rail infrastructure.

The FRA’s initiative is a blueprint for the renaissance of American rail travel, promising a future of enhanced connectivity, economic growth, and environmental sustainability. As we look to 2040 and beyond, the foundation is being laid for a transformative era in the nation’s transportation landscape, making it a pivotal moment for stakeholders and the public alike.

For more info, you can head over to fralongdistancerailstudy.org.

The post Two New Train Routes Could Bring Passenger Rail To Columbus appeared first on Columbus Navigator.

As cities across the nation seek ways to reclaim valuable land and foster walkable communities, Columbus stands at the crossroads of parking reform and urban renewal. A recent study from the Parking Reform Network offers statistics that paint a vivid picture of Columbus’ parking landscape.

Columbus Parking Landscape: Stats at a Glance

Columbus, OH, is no stranger to the parking dilemma. An astonishing 27% of the city’s central area is devoted solely to parking. This statistic paints a stark image of valuable urban space being utilized for cars rather than communities. However, Columbus has embarked on a journey of transformation, making strides in parking reform to align with its aspiration for urban revitalization.

How To Understand the Parking Score

Columbus boasts a parking score of 68. This numerical representation captures the city’s progress in optimizing parking efficiency. A parking score of 68 suggests that Columbus is taking substantial steps toward balancing the availability of parking with the creation of vibrant, walkable spaces. This score is a testament to the city’s dedication to thoughtful urban planning and forward-thinking policies.

Columbus’ Urban Profile: A Core City in Transition

Columbus is classified as a core city, serving as an economic, cultural, and administrative hub within its metropolitan area. With a population of 905,672 and a metro population of 2,138,926, Columbus encapsulates the essence of urban dynamics. As the city grapples with parking challenges, its status as a core city further accentuates the significance of its efforts to redefine parking’s role within its urban fabric.

How Columbus Compares To Other Large Cities

The study breaks the cities down into four different city categories and five different population categories. The city categories include:

Core City: These are the main or central cities within their respective metropolitan areas and often serve as economic, cultural, and administrative hubs. Examples include Albuquerque, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, and many others.
Twin City: Twin cities are pairs of closely located cities that make up the main or central cities of their metropolitan area or share certain regional characteristics. Examples include Dallas/Fort Worth, Minneapolis/Saint Paul, and Oakland/San Francisco.
Node City: Node cities are important central cities in a highly polycentric metro area. Examples include Anaheim, Santa Ana, Riverside, and San Bernardino.
Satellite City: These cities are typically located near a larger core city and have a significant relationship with it, often functioning as a supporting or complementary urban area. Examples include Arlington (TX), Aurora (CO), Henderson (NV), and others.

When organized by population, you can see a pattern of larger population cities devoting less space to parking.

5 million and up: Average of 16% devoted to Parking
4 million to 5 million: Average of 18% devoted to Parking
3 million to 4 million: Average of 20% devoted to Parking
2 million to 3 million: Average of 21% devoted to Parking
1 million to 2 million: Average of 25% devoted to Parking

Paving the Way for a Transformed Columbus

Columbus, Ohio, is not alone in its pursuit of an urban landscape that prioritizes walkability, accessibility, and community. By delving into the statistics that define its parking density, parking score, and reform initiatives, we gain insight into the city’s evolution.

As Columbus continues to redefine its parking landscape, it sets a powerful example for cities across the nation. Through parking reform, Columbus is rewriting the story of its urban future – one that embraces accessibility, vibrancy, and the shared spaces that make cities thrive.

If you’d like to take an interactive look, or compare Columbus to other cities in Ohio and across the U.S., please visit parkingreform.org.

The post This Is How Much Space Parking Lots Take Up In Downtown Columbus appeared first on Columbus Navigator.

John Glenn Columbus International Airport has three new destinations in mind. Breeze Airways recently announced service to three exciting locations that aren’t currently served out of CMH:

• Twice weekly service to Providence, RI (PVD)
• Twice weekly service to Jacksonville, FL (JAX)
• Twice weekly service to Savannah, GA (SAV)

“Breeze Airways has been a welcome addition to John Glenn International, providing Columbus travelers with nonstop access to several in demand destinations,” said Joseph R. Nardone, President & CEO of the Columbus Regional Airport Authority. “We are pleased to see this new airline continue to grow, offering passengers even more options out of CMH.”

Breeze Airways is a new airline and this year, they are doubling their fleet. This expansion will include the addition of 13 Airbus A220 aircraft. When flying with Breeze, customers can choose from three price bundles offered as ‘Nice’, ‘Nicer’, and ‘Nicest’ service.

The new flight destinations will be available starting summer 2022. To book a flight, visit FlyBreeze.com.

The post John Glenn International Has Added Three New Destinations Through Breeze Airways appeared first on Columbus Navigator.

Now, there are serious plans for that dream to come true. The Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority released a plan showing off inspiration, initial designs, and more for a new train station downtown that would service a potential Amtrak line.

You can view the full study here, but we’ve gathered the highlights for you here.

The station itself would be located near the Greater Columbus Convention Center, located in downtown Columbus on High Street. The location has a long history with passenger rail, as it was served as the home to Columbus Union Station, which served as a major hub for rail travel for over a century.

In the study, inspiration for the station comes from a variety of famous train stations around the world, including Kings Cross Station in London, Penn Station in New York City, and Stuggart Station in Germany.

The final design for the Amtrak station hasn’t been released yet, but the study did include lots of things to get excited about, including potential architectural highlights like soaring ceilings, glass designs to allow for an airy feel, and more.

The station will be two stories tall and has a projected ridership of 73,000 people every year.

Although the plans from Amtrak to connect Ohio’s major cities have been well received and even hyped by local governments, there hasn’t been any word from the Governor on the potential expansion.

Dreams of passenger rail in Ohio have been dashed by politics in the past, but the fact that Amtrak is so interested in expanding in the region could be the push the state needs to move forward.

To view the Greater Columbus Passenger Rail Study in full, please click here.

The post Here’s What The New Passenger Rail Station Could Look Like In Columbus appeared first on Columbus Navigator.

The new line will have a dedicated lane connecting downtown Columbus to the northwest side of the city. Public transit in Columbus has long been lacking in the city and the rapid transit bus line aims to provide consistent, reliable alternative to traveling by car.

The northwest route will run along Olentangy River Road and connect several major hubs along the way, including OhioHealth’s campus on Riverside Dr., the Ohio State University, Lennox Town Center, and the Astor Park development surrounding Lower.com Field. The route will travel along Long and Spring streets.

“It’s a level of transit infrastructure we haven’t seen in Columbus to date,” Justin Goodwin, transportation planning manager for Columbus Public Service’s traffic management division, told Columbus Business First. “What we’re hearing from the public is we want something that is reliable, that is a real alternative to having to depend on a car,” Goodwin said. “This is really key to our growth strategy. We know we can’t continue to grow at the pace we are and not have true sustainable options.”

On Monday, Columbus City Council approved a $4.5 million contract to TransSystems Corp. The Central Ohio Transportation Authority will contribute $3.75 million of the total while the rest of the funding will come from city streets bonds.

In addition to the northwest route, there are also plans for high-capacity transit travelling east to west along Broad and Main streets. The city is expecting to begin construction on both routes by the end of the decade.

For more information about the upcoming rapid transit options, you can visit linkuscolumbus.com.

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Breeze Airways is the fifth airline start-up launched by aviation entrepreneur David Neeleman, founder of JetBlue, Azul, WestJet and Morris Air. This low-cost airline will offer point-to-point flights from 39 nonstop routes between 16 cities in the Southwest, Midwest, Southeast and Eastern US.

“Breeze Airways considered multiple locations to start their business. By choosing John Glenn International to begin their journey, Breeze recognizes the benefits of working with one of the world’s top-rated airports, located in the heart of the thriving Columbus community,” said Joseph R. Nardone, President & CEO, CRAA. “Breeze Airways’ emphasis on technology, ingenuity and kindness is a perfect fit for our airport and our dynamic community.”

Nonstop routes served by the airline begin in July out of CMH:

• Charleston, South Carolina (July 8)
• Hartford, Connecticut (July 22)
• New Orleans, Louisiana (July 16)
• Norfolk, Virginia (July 22)
• Tampa, Florida (July 3)

“We’re so excited to congratulate the Columbus Regional Airport Authority and all those who worked so hard on this endeavor,” said Kevin L. Boyce, President, Franklin County Commissioners. “And we’re also glad to welcome Breeze Airways to the Central Ohio family. We’re so grateful to have you as part of our community. We look forward to making Breeze Airways the best airline that it can possibly be.”

The airline’s investment in the Columbus-area will have an estimated $81 million annual economic impact.

The post Breeze Airways Will Offer Low-Cost, Nonstop Routes Out Of CMH appeared first on Columbus Navigator.

Spirit Airlines, known for it’s notoriously cheap if not overly complicated airfare, offers daily direct flights from John Glenn International Aiport to Orlando, Las Vegas, Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa, and Fort Myers. They’ve also got some seasonal flights that get added in March, just in time for your spring break getaway.

But flying via Spirit isn’t like flying on other airlines. This is barebones travel at it’s most extreme, with guests wracking up extra costs for everything from luggage to onboard water. For the inexperienced traveler, booking a trip through Spirit Airlines can feel a little like running through a gauntlet.

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But with a little extra planning and some pro-tips, you can save yourself hundreds of dollars and skip the travel horror stories.

Tip #1: Pay the extra to choose your seat.

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If you’re on a really tight budget and you don’t care, you can take your chances when it comes to seat assignment. But since you’re already saving hundreds of dollars, why not treat yo’ self? Airplane seats have been getting smaller and smaller through the decades, so it’s probably worth finding a seat that won’t leave your knees permanently embedded in your chest. You may be hurling through the air in a giant tin can, but there’s no need to feel like a sardine.

Tip #2: You will be your only source of entertainment, so plan accordingly.

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When you fly on Spirit, you are your own entertainment. Make sure that your phone, tablet, or laptop are fully charged or bring your own charging device because the only in-flight entertainment you’ll experience will be watching the screaming children around you or listening in while the old guy in the back prays to every god under the sun.

Tip #3: Take half of the clothes and twice the money.

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This was some sage advice given to me by my aunt and it’s the most applicable it’s ever been when flying Spirit Airlines. You are only allowed one personal bag on the airplane for free, and Spirit doesn’t mess around when it comes to size requirements. Although technically a bag like this would meet their strict size requirements, if they get suspicious of the fancy wheels and decide it’s actually a carryon, you could end up paying $100+.

When it comes to checked luggage, you’ll want to pay for it as soon as possible. The price gets higher as your flight gets closer, and it will jump even higher if you try to purchase it when you check-in.

Tip #4: Buy your tickets the old fashioned way.

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Buying tickets online and over the phone comes with all sorts of extra charges. If you can, the best way to buy your flights through Spirit is to go to the counter at the airline. Hop in the “Full Service” line and buy your tickets there. If you decide that it’s worth the extra $ for the convenience online, you should know that you must print your boarding passes out and bring them with you. Why?

Because, as I’m sure you’ve guessed, there is an extra charge to print them at the airport.

Tip #5: The ride will be loud and full. Bring ways to block out the madness.

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These flights are dirt cheap. They’re easily affordable for families which is great, but it also means that there may be a lot of kids on your flight. Do yourself a favor and come equipped with earplugs, an eye mask, and anything else that’s allowed on a flight that will help distract you from the crying.

Tip #6: Nothing in life is free. That applies to this plane ride as well.

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Even water costs money on Spirit Airlines. There is no food provided by the airline, so you’ll want to bring your own snacks for the trip. If you don’t want to pay $3 for a bottle of water, you’ll want to bring an empty bottle with you. You can fill it up at the airport before you leave and enjoy it during your flight knowing that you saved some extra $$$.

Tip #7: If a deal seems to be good to be true, it probably is.

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Spirit offers a “$9 Fare Club”. It doesn’t get you flights for $9 and it actually costs around $60, so the name is more than a little misleading. The Fare club does get you discounts on airfare and luggage, but you’ll have to price out your trip to see if the additional cost is worth it.

Tip #8: There’s a chance your flight will be delayed or late.

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According to Forbes, just 65.3% of Spirit’s flights were on time back in 2016. Since the odds are not entirely in your favor, it’s best to plan ahead. If you need to be in town by a specific time, Spirit may not be your best option. But if you have a flexible schedule, the amount of money you can save with a cheap flight can help you keep yourself sane as you play your 25th round of Candy Crush in a row sitting outside of an airport Starbucks.

If you get bumped off of your flight, Spirit will accommodate you on the earliest available flight, as well as cut you a check for compensation.

Finally, when it comes to Spirit Airlines, the key to a successful trip is just to use common sense.

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If you are taking a quick trip that is light on luggage and you can rough it for a few hours, then this airline is perfect. If you’re used to the finer things in life and you can’t travel with less than a full-luggage set, you may want to consider a more traditional airline.

For information about flights, baggage requirements, ticket prices, and more, please click here.

Originally published 2/11/18. Updated 2/25/20.

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Innovations like the hyperloop always seem a little distant, but construction on the first set of track in our area could begin within the next few years. Central Ohio is hoping to build the first segment of track where Virgin Hyperloop One will test the safety of 500 mph pods.

According to the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, Central Ohio is one of an undisclosed number narrowed down from 17 state and local governments that put in bids to land the testing and certification center.

The track would be at least 6 miles long, allowing for the pods to get up to full speed for safety and other tests. Construction would begin in 2021 on the track, which will later serve as the first leg of the Midwest route from Chicago to Pittsburgh.

MORPC hasn’t released the exact location for the potential test site, they did confirm that it will be in the northwest part of Central Ohio, likely near the Transportation Research Center in East Liberty, 50 minutes northwest of Columbus.

https://youtu.be/LAWEOwDDt_Y

The aim of Hyperloop One is to create a new mode of transportation that moves both people and freight quickly, safely, and directly from origin to destination. Passengers or cargo are loaded into hyperloop pod vehicles that accelerate gradually using electric propulsion in a low-pressure tube.

Thanks to magnetic levitation, the pod floats above the track, gliding at airline speeds. The tracks for Hyperloop One will either be built on columns or tunneled below ground, avoiding grade crossings and wildlife. Hyperloop One is planned to be fully autonomous and enclosed, which means less human error and travel delays due to weather. The hyperloop also has no direct carbon emissions.

From a passenger standpoint, the hyperloop experience will be more like traveling on an airplane than a train. There won’t be any stops along your way to your destination. If you’re interested in learning more about how the hyperloop works, Virgin Hyperloop One’s website has all of the answers.

The post The First Major Hyperloop Track Could Be Coming To Central Ohio Soon appeared first on Columbus Navigator.

It’s warm, it’s sunny, and it’s officially Summer. Time to get biking Columbus.

Now that the weather has settled a bit and the sky doesn’t look so awful and angry, it’s the perfect time to get those old bicycles out of the garage and put in some mileage. If your bike isn’t actually in working condition or you’re just looking to get a new ride but not spend a bunch of dough, Columbus has some great options for buying used rides or tweaking the one you already have.

Check out these great places so that you can get out there on the road as soon as possible for the cheap.

Once Ridden Bikes

With a fully stocked gallery of new and refurbished bikes, Once Ridden will have just about anything you need to get you moving, not to mention a whole slew of accessories.

Third Hand Bicycle Co-op

These guys serve as a non-profit organization, dedicated to providing and instructing environmentally safe ways of transportation. A lot of their service comes from volunteers and they operate mostly from donations, allowing them to provide goods and services for the cheap.

Bikes For All People

Bikes For All is a part of Church and Community Development For All People, a faith-based non-profit dedicated to servicing Columbus neighborhoods. Bikes For All People specifically provides affordable biking for those who relying on them for transportation in Columbus’ south side.

Franklinton Cycle Works“>Franklinton Cycle Works

Another non-profit, FCW remains passionate about educating the community in bike repair and providing transportation for those that need it. They also serve as a community maker space, providing quality equipment for anyone who wants to use it to learn and hone their bike craft.

All of these options are super affordable and they’re dedicated to putting bikes in the hands of the communities they serve. Give them a look through, peruse their selections, and get rolling!

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Traveling to the Bay Area has never been easier. Starting this Friday, daily nonstop flights to San Francisco will be available at John Glenn International Airport.

United Airlines flight to San Francisco leaves CMH at 7:30 a.m. and arrives in California at 9:30 a.m. local time. The return flight will depart San Francisco at 10:52 p.m. and arrive in Columbus at 6:30 a.m.

A round trip economy ticket on the United flight to San Francisco starts at around $400. This west coast flight comes on the heels of Alaska Airlines Columbus-Seattle flight and American Airlines second daily nonstop flight between CMH and LAX.

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“Our new service from Columbus to San Francisco is timed to connect customers to our largest international bank at San Francisco International Airport,” Janet Lamkin, United’s president of California, said in a release. “The flights offer dozens of new travel options for customers traveling from Columbus and even more nonstop choices for Bay Area residents.”

For more information, or to book your flight, please click here.

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