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Amtrak stop a possibility for Oxford

University and city representatives held a private meeting Nov. 24 to discuss the possibility of creating a local Amtrak stop.

According to Economic Development Director Alan Kyger, the meeting was both informational and exciting.

"While no plans are immediate, the meeting was concluded with some of the attendees discussing next plans of action to keep the initiative going," Kyger said.

Some members of the community were skeptical after efforts a few years ago were shut down by Amtrak, but new leadership in the company may signal new willingness to listen to a local pitch.

Derrick Bauman, Southwest Regional Director of All Aboard Ohio, an organization that promotes rail travel, said his goal is a two-part effort - getting an Oxford stop on the existing Cardinal line which goes through Oxford, and then having Amtrak expand its existing Hoosier State line to include Oxford and other Southwestern Ohio stops which would provide more service here and better times.

The Cardinal route currently goes through Oxford at 3 a.m. three times a week, but there is no stop. While the 3 a.m. stop would be inconvenient, it would provide access to the railway for students and residents, if nothing else.

"I think people are more excited about the idea of expanding the Hoosier line, rather than just the Cardinal," Kyger said. "That would be the first priority for most of the community members involved."

According to Kyger, All Aboard is seeking to extend the Hoosier line that currently runs from Chicago to Indiana to also connect in Cincinnati. This line would also pass through and stop in Oxford.

This is not the first time the city has reached out to Amtrak for a stop. According to Kyger, a student group reached out to Amtrak about building an Oxford stop in 2009. At the time the idea was denied for several reasons.

"The main argument against having a stop in a small town is that it lengthens what could have been a very short train trip," Kyger said. "Each additional stop adds length to the trip. For Oxford to get approved, Amtrak will have to decide that the revenue brought in from this area will compensate for a longer travel time for passengers."

Kyger said, while this is a valid argument, Amtrak has a very efficient stop time. Each stop takes no longer than three to four minutes, so the city has a very good shot of getting a location.

"For us, it is not a matter of if we will get a train stop, but when," said Deb Clark, founder of Precious Hearts Oxford, a local nonprofit organization.

Clark said that her motivation to get an Amtrak location in Oxford is one that holds a great deal of personal significance to her.

"I have been riding trains for 50 years now," Clark said. "Since I was four years old. The stop would be great for the area and would benefit so many people."

Precious Hearts has shown its support for the Amtrak stop by gathering signatures in an online petition. The link to the petition can be found on the organization's Facebook page and has already generated around 90 signatures.

"It's a great option for seniors who are disabled and can't fly, as well as students looking to get home for breaks," Clark said. "There is so much potential in Oxford, it is only a matter of gaining enough support."