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DOWNTOWN TRAIN

Downtown South Bend to Downtown Chicago in 90 mins

Get on Board!

Help secure South Bend's future - contribute to the public comment process and signup for updates on the Downtown Train Initiative. 

MAILING LIST

KEY BENEFITS

$415 million+ economic impact over 10 years.

Equitable access to vital transportation for all SB residents.

Downtown SB to Downtown Chicago opens countless economic, social, and cultural opportunities.

Creates a true multi-modal transportation hub with the 
South ShoreAmtrak, TRANSPO bus service, and Bird e-scooters.

Benefits South Bend businesses, performing arts, entertainment & athletics, convention center, hotels, and restaurants. 

Allows businesses access to talent along the South Shore line; workers can be part remote, part in-person.

Impact

DOWNTOWN SOUTH BEND 

DOWNTOWN CHICAGO 

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OPTIONS

WEST SIDE OF THE AIRPORT

Economic Impact

  • $84 Million over 10 years 

  • 271% return on capital cost

Infrastructure Impact 

  • Fewer at-grade crossings

  • Requires SR 20 underpass

  • Displaces neighbors and destroys homes

Current Support

  • South Bend International Airport

  • South Bend Regional Chamber of Commerce

  • St. Joseph County Economic Development

  • Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District

DOWNTOWN
SOUTH BEND

Economic Impact

  • $415+ Million over 10 years 

  • 336% return on capital cost

Infrastructure Impact 

  • Utilizes elevated rail line and historic Union Station

  • Leverages existing investment in the Studebaker Technology Campus, Four Winds Field, new mixed-income housing developments, TRANSPO bus station, Howard Park, and other downtown assets

  • Provides comprehensive transportation plan (including ease of access to the airport)

  • Establishes permanent transit infrastructure to support development for decades to come

  • Doesn't disrupt neighborhood or require homes to be destroyed

Other Notes

  • Provides employment and housing flexibility 

  • Benefits over 400 small businesses

  • Supports growing startup sector with greater access to talent

  • Passenger trains traditionally connect downtowns to downtowns

  • Changes the course of Downtown's future

OPTIONS

CURRENT SUPPORT

Join our growing list of supporters of the Downtown Train!

Ardmore Trail Neighbors

1800+ South Bend Citizens

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MAPS

MAPS
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WHY NOW?

  • An unprecedented amount of federal funding is available. 

  • Four Winds Field Expansion & Applying for AAA Status.

  • Policies supportive of projects that are part of a larger set of objectives.

  • Infrastructure spending is the highest since the Eisenhower Administration.

  • The access provided by transportation services and facilities supports, enables, guides, motivates, incentivizes, and responds to land use/real estate/economic development.

Development, policies, and funding are aligning! We've waited 30 years to restore train service downtown. We can't wait 30 more. 

  • 68% of the world population projected to live in Megacities by 2050.

  • South Shore stops in the heart of Hyde Park/University of Chicago.

  • Chicago is one of only 3 regions in the U.S. that will achieve “megacity” status in the 21st century.

WHY NOW?
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