By Felix Hoover

For YourNewsColumbus

If a train leaves Columbus at 9:30 a.m., how much work can a passenger do en route to Cleveland?

There is no such train now, but the folks who held a news conference Downtown at Arch Park Thursday morning hope that will change.

They announced that Ohio would be applying for $564 million in federal money under Ohio's 3C "Quick Start" Passenger Rail Plan.. The conference in Columbus was at 9:30 a.m., leading into an event at 3 p..m;. in Cleveland to submit the state's bid for a share of $8 billion in federal stimulus money for rail development, said Matthew R. Dietrich, executive director of the Ohio Rail Development Commission.

Ohio's proposal suggests economic, safety and environment pluses for the state and poses possibilities for expanded routes for intrastate travel, connectors to Amtrak for regional and national travel, as well as improvement of the existing freight system. Officials from the Ohio Department of Transportation, the Ohio Department of Development, the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, Ohio State University, the city and Experience Columbus braved the chill of the morning for the news conference.

A statewide poll from March showing 64 percent of Ohioans want passenger rail was cited at Thursday's news conference. That figure jumps to 73 percent for 18- to 35-year-olds.

If Ohio receives federal funds, it would develop a 260-mile passenger rail system that would operate three to four trains daily to connect the northeast and southwest parts of the state, with Columbus as a midway point. The system could be operational in two to three years.

Ty Marsh, president and chief executive officer of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce chaired the task force that examined rail options.

He said that transportation is a means to an end, that end being economic growth and prosperity.

ODOT Director Jolene M. Molitoris said, "The 3C Corridor is Ohio’s premier intercity passenger rail corridor that touches 60% of all Ohioans who live within 15 miles of the corridor. The corridor is tailor-made for short distance service, and it is one of the best opportunities anywhere in the nation to bring this type of travel choice to those who currently do not have it."

The prospect of jobs during the construction and operation phases also appeals to many Ohioans, speakers said Thursday.

 Development of passenger rail along the 3C Corridor not only creates jobs, it spurs economic development in our urban cities. Linking Ohio’s downtown areas encourages travel to and within our state, allowing people to easily shop in our stores, eat at local restaurants, and explore downtown entertainment - both as visitors and as residents on their way to and from work, school and home," said Ohio Department of Development Director Lisa Patt-McDaniel.

Initially, the rail travel time would be about the same as by car, but advocates of the rail proposal say that passengers would be able to use train time to do work. As such that makes the answer to the opening question: "About three hours." The same answer would apply to passenger rail travel between Columbus and Cincinnati. In time, speedier train service could added, but at the outset, would have a top speed of about 80 miles per hour.