making It Happen:
Illinois Fast track initiative

Our Proposal: Link the Entire State by 2015

Leaders throughout Illinois have proposed new or expanded rail routes that would connect the entire state.

The Midwest High Speed Rail Association envisions an ambitious program to complete these plans within a decade.

Fast trains, intercity buses, and local transit would form an integrated network carrying business travelers, students, families, and tourists to many destinations now accessible only by car.

Redeveloped railroad stations would become the center of vibrant communities positioned to compete in the global marketplace.

Illinois residents would enjoy reduced transportation costs, downstate cities would have more development options, and residents statewide would have expanded employment opportunities.

Our proposal in a nutshell:

• Extend commuter service beyond six Northeast Illinois counties
• Create direct access to O'Hare and other major airports
• Build links to a Midwest-wide network
• Early morning arrivals in major cities
• Late evening departures
• Departures throughout the day, every two hours or less on core routes
• Dependable schedules

The Illinois General Assembly implemented the first stage of the Fast Track Initiative last year by doubling service on Downstate routes effective October 30, 2006. This expansion has led to an explosion in ridership.

The next phase involves establishing new service the Rockford & Galena and to the Quad Cities, while making the existing routes faster and more dependable.