Business & Finance
Chicago business leaders announce plans for electric O'Hare express train
The proposed private O'Hare Flyer would link downtown Chicago to O'Hare International Airport with non-stop service aimed for 2030.
The short version
- A group of Chicago business leaders proposed the O'Hare Flyer, a fully electric non-stop train connecting downtown Chicago's West Loop to O'Hare International Airport's Terminal 2.
- The project relies on underused freight rights-of-way from CSX, Canadian National, and Union Pacific, with a Letter of Intent signed with CSX.
- Organizers state the endeavor is privately funded without current requests for government subsidies and plan to use union construction labor.
- The project targets beginning operations around 2030, though rights-of-way agreements with additional rail carriers remain pending.
Key facts
- Chicago business leaders announced plans for the O'Hare Flyer, a non-stop electric train connecting Chicago's West Loop to O'Hare's Terminal 2.[Electrek]
- The planned train route utilizes freight rail rights-of-way owned by CSX, Canadian National, and Union Pacific.[Electrek]
- The O'Hare Flyer group signed a Letter of Intent with CSX regarding the project's route.[Electrek]
- Organizers state they are pursuing private commercial financing and are not currently seeking government subsidies.[Electrek]
- A Chicago Tribune editorial cited projected fare costs of $25 to $35 per passenger with trains departing every 15 minutes.[Electrek]
- The group aims to start service around 2030 and signed a Memorandum of Understanding toward a Project Labor Agreement with union construction leaders.[Electrek]