Driving the Rail Revolution
Opportunity and Prosperity by Design
A modern railway network would bring in new jobs, new ideas, and more people to Galena, to Carbondale, and everywhere in-between.
The legislature should enact a comprehensive, integrated network plan for rail and connecting bus services that blanket the entire state.
An aggressive program to replace out-of-date bridges, build better track, and make grade crossings safer would create jobs and drive economic development.
Several bills have been introduced in Springfield to get the process started.
Success Story: Normal, Illinois
Normal built a prosporous downtown around a new railway station and faster trains to Chicago. Learn more
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Creating a Successul Plan
It Starts with an Integrated Network Plan
There are many transit ideas floating around the state, but they’re all separate. They don’t come together into a single, coherent vision. The state should develop an Integrated Network Plan that uses buses and trains to make travel around Illinois faster, safer, and more affordable.
The Plans goals should be:
- Easy access to Chicago, Springfield, and O’Hare from anywhere in Illinois, with the first arrival timed for a 9:00 am meeting
- Practical trips between all metropolitan areas throughout the day
- Metra Regional Rail
- Fast, easy access to O’Hare, the Midwest’s gateway to the world
- Expanded transit systems throughout the state
- Convenient bus links to smaller communities
A statewide plan is crucial. It will give planning agencies and stakeholders at every level a tool to think about how each piece of the network fits into the big picture. And it will allow them to collaborate on segments that have a transformative impact.
A Big-Picture Plan is Transformative
When the individual parts are well-designed, they work in harmony, and they’re valued more because they’re used more.
First, it allows multiple types of trains and buses to work together in a tightly integrated, web-like system.
Second, the network can be built in phases—starting with the highest-impact projects.
Third, a big-picture plan makes each individual route more useful to many more people. That’s because each route is coordinated with a dense network serving a broad mix of travelers—workers, families, students, and businesspeople—who need to get to a variety of destinations.
As the network grows and expands to serve more communities, a virtuous cycle develops. More ridership drives more investments in improving each route, which increases the network’s overall usefulness, which drives up ridership on each route, which drives more investments—and so on.
When connecting between trains and buses is easy, each segment offers many more opportunities for use. The whole system becomes more useful, more financially viable, and has stronger political backing.
Integrated Network Components
An integrated rail network in Illinois would consist of these parts–well coordinated to offer fast, frequent, and affordable travel to every corner of the state. The network would support, and be supported by, better local transit and more walkable communities.
Downstate Regional Rail
- Up to 110 mph on shared freight track
- Link cities and towns of all sizes
- Some trains could include amenities for long distance trips; others could feature denser seating for short commutes
Metra Regional Rail
- Different service patterns tailored to each route
- Designed to serve many types of trips, throughout the day
- Easy connections through downtown
- Extend beyond traditional RTA service boundaries
High-Speed Rail
- Reach up to 220 mph on high-speed, grade separated, electrified lines
- Serve the needs of different riders—from premium express service to lower-cost local trains
- Amenities like business class and cafe cars
Regional Buses
- Extend the network to cities and towns not on the core rail network
- Arrive and depart in sync with connecting trains
- Included on the same ticket with connecting train
Success Factors
The following features would make the network attractive to ride.
Frequent Departures, All Day
Trains should run often, all day, so you can travel when you like. At least one train every 15 minutes in Cook County, at least every two hours downstate.
Speed
High acceleration and level boarding make trains faster, cut travel times, boost convenience, and draw more riders—amplifying benefits for everyone.
Affordable Fares
Affordable fares, speed, and comfort make trains the easy choice. Frequent service keeps costs low, boosts ridership, and drives revenue growth.
Coordinated Schedules
Coordinated bus and train schedules ensure your journey is seamless, effortless, and affordable.
Who has done this before?
California has been investing heavily in passenger rail, intercity buses, and local transit since 1990. They published the first integrated rail plan in 2018. And, they have two high-speed rail projects underway.
California is seeking a 10-fold increase in train and bus ridership!
What Needs to Happen to Bring Great Trains to Illinois?
Train riders, community leaders, and engaged advocates need to persuade Springfield to:
- Treat transit as a statewide issue
- Fund new bridges, better track, and high-performance trains
- Help communities build walkable, enjoyable communities around railway stations
- Expand the Bureau of Railroads to effectively manage the program
Here’s how you can help
Sign the Petition
See progress in Springfield
Multiple bills have been introduced to support an integrated railway program. Learn more here.
Become a member
Join thousands of advocates across the state working to make fast trains a reality.
Get Involved
The Illinois General Assembly is debating the future transit and regional rail right now. The package should include a State Railway Program to invest in bridges, trainsets, and better track.
