Comment on Indiana State Rail Plan

Comments due July 6, 2026

As the “Crossroads of America”, Indiana has a pivotal role to play in developing the Nation’s passenger rail network.

Not only would Indianapolis be a great hub for high-speed rail, but all states to the east and south depend upon Indiana to make their networks successful.

That’s why the Indiana draft state rail plan is so disappointing. The document outlines a great case for sparking mode shift to passenger trains, but does not suggest any meaningful actions to do so.

Please comment on the draft plan by July 6. You don’t have to live in Indiana to comment.

You can read the draft plan here. The plans for passenger rail begin on page 106.

A couple of things to note:

INDOT projects that Amtrak ridership will remain flat, but doesn’t discuss how Amtrak growth is constrained by small trains, infrequent departures, and unreliable service.

Likewise, no strategies to grow South Shore ridership are discussed.

There is an excellent description of the benefits of passenger trains and the draft document makes an excellent case for investments, while suggesting that mode shift is possible.

The proposed project list, while all very important, will not result in any meaningful mode shift.

INDOT makes it clear that they have no responsibility to expand passenger trains, which is why commenting on this draft plan is so important.

INDOT has to take on a serious leadership role if passenger trains are to succeed. They should develop a meaningful plan and ask the legislature to fund it.

If you want to ride the train in Indiana or through Indiana, please ask INDOT to create a plan that will create a true mode shift. Let them know where you want to ride the train and what kind of service you want.

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See our vision for Indiana

Our submission:

The draft state rail plan is very disappointing. Please create a new rail plan that will create significant mode shift from highways to railways.

As the draft plan states: fast, frequent, and affordable trains will pay huge dividends in safety, economic mobility, and resource preservation.

Indiana needs to be a leader in passenger rail development.

Indianapolis is circled by cities making it a natural hub for high-speed and regional rail. And, building a high-volume passenger rail corridor parallel to US-30 is essential for a Midwest network.

To achieve these benefits will require substantial investments in high-quality track, high-tech trains, and better stations. And yet, the draft plan offers no vision for growth and suggests modest projects to that, while important, will not move the needle.

Please develop a plan to exploit these fantastic opportunities and ask the Indiana Legislature to fund them.