LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Trolleys and trains once dominated transportation in Louisville.
The last streetcar lines were pulled out decades ago, but there are still plenty of rail lines actively being used across the city and state.
However, Amtrak has not operated any passenger rails in the city since 2003.
The trillion-dollar infrastructure package that cleared Congress in 2021 renewed interest in seeking a return of the passenger train. That's why the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is asking residents whether or not they would use Amtrak if it returned to the area.
Jeremy Edgeworth is the project manager on the state's 10-year rail plan.
"We're looking for ideas on freight rail. We're looking for ideas on passenger rail," Edgeworth said. "Where do you want to go? How often do you use trains? Really it's trying to get the public's input on how they see the passenger rail happen in the future."
Freight trains run all across Kentucky and those companies own the majority of the rail lines.
"I think it would be a great thing for Kentucky," Edgeworth said. "It's just all the little details to work out to the point does it make sense to Amtrak? Does it make sense to the host companies? Will they work together?"
Anita Hall brought her young son, Elliott, to read over potential lines and show her support during a public input meeting on Tuesday.
"With little kids it's so much easier than driving or flying, even if it takes a little bit longer at the end," Hall said. "We had more space, we had good food, he could run around. We saw beautiful scenery. I would love to do that from here."
Alexander Riopel is a college student living in Louisville who has taken the train from Cincinnati to the east coast. He looks at the ease of moving around Kentucky if a rail line opened to passengers.
"And it can unlock opportunities for people that don't drive or just for people who would rather not," Riopel said.
If you missed Tuesday's meeting in Louisville, Edgeworth said they're still taking input for the next several days and will eventually turn in the results to freight companies and Amtrak.
Kentucky is seeking input on the rail plan as a high-profile grant will assess whether a high-speed passenger rail line between Louisville and Indianapolis is feasible.
The $500,000 federal grant awarded late last year will be used to start evaluating things like the possible location of stations, ridership estimates and other improvements to the existing rail line. Amtrak, the nation’s only intercity service, would likely be the operator.
The study took a step forward Tuesday, when a regional planning organization formally asked firms to apply to conduct the next phase of the research. The consultant is expected to be chosen in late April and begin working in June.
To learn more about the KYTC Rail Plan or provide input, click here.
Related Stories:
- Grant to study new passenger rail service between Louisville and Indianapolis
- Infrastructure law could put Louisville on track to lure passenger train service
- Plan to bring Amtrak back to Louisville still on track, timeline unclear
- Biden's infrastructure plan includes Amtrak route from Louisville to Chicago
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