Three of the largest cities within Texas include Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio. Connecting these cities are three of the largest, most populated highway systems in Texas including I-10, I-45, and I-35. Many individuals routinely travel between these large cities in our state, making these roads very important to us for our transportation.
What if we could reduce both the travel time and travel cost of these trips by three times? The answer to this question could lie in the form of a high-speed railway system, connecting all of our large cities within the "Texas Triangle".
There is no doubt that the funding for such a large project will require a tremendous amount of capital, resources, workforce, and time. Such a project will also require tremendous planning and organization. Despite these obstacles, the support and backing of the project can go one of two ways.
One option is for the Texas Legislature to pass a bill that will fund the creation of a Texas public railway system - with federal government grants and Texas government subsidies helping out with the costs. The other option is for one of Texas's pro-business, privately-held companies to fund this project. Raising capital from investors may be a challenge at first, but there is surely a market with an appealing return on investment if the project is done correctly.
Even though the individual rates for passengers will be low, there will be a large base of customers along the railway system that will generate a high amount of revenue. The train could stop between the larger "hubs" and pick up passengers from cities such as Austin, Waco, San Marcus, Corsicana, The Woodlands, and many others. If public, taxes could be charged for using the railways system. There could even be a premium, higher-rate "first class section" for those who prefer riding in luxury.
The opposition to such a system lies within the Texas landowners, small local communities, and airline systems. Many claim that there is no reason to connect these cities because of our elaborate highway system already in place. Others claim that such a railroad is irrelevant because smaller Texas cities do not depend on the larger ones. I stand to disagree. Many of these smaller cities in between our large Texas cities do rely on the larger cities around them for their anchoring economies, travelers passing through their cities, and also for the many attractions that they have to offer.
Texas can benefit in more ways than one by implementing a high-speed railway system connecting our large cities. Much like the success of Japanese railways, French railways, Eastern United States railways, and many other "bullet trains", this Texas-Trifecta railway system can follow suit. As technology progresses and new forms of transportation become available, it becomes necessary for Texas to adapt and grow with the dynamic, changing landscape around us.
In a post to Lone Star Legislature, named Texas Triangle Train System, the author stated his desire to implement a railway system between Texas’ three largest cities: Houston, Dallas and San Antonio. Along with the convenience of public rail, the author also stated that the system would benefit smaller cities in between the three major hubs.
ReplyDeleteTwo funding solutions were proposed by the author: the Texas Legislature passing a bill to fund the project with federal aid and subsidies to alleviate the costs OR private companies funding the project with the help from investors.
Opposition would lie within “the Texas landowners, small local communities, and airline systems.” Individual ridership will be low, but overall ridership should generate a high amount of revenue.
Personally, I favor public transportation and see this as a very viable project for Texas. I am a student in Austin originally from Dallas, so I do go home a handful of times over the course of several months and constantly see congestion, never-ending construction and just need for convenience.
As the author mentioned, the most populated highways in Texas are I-10, I-45, and I-35. A short trip up I-35 proves this to be true. Even outside of Austin, you hit major traffic areas in the smaller cities such as Waco and Temple. In a few short (long) years, construction on these highways will be done, with additional lanes to reduce congestion. Yes, this will relieve congestion, but for how long? As we all know, Texas’ population is growing tremendously, highways will continue to congest as more and more cars hit the road. Then what? More construction to add more lanes? Seems like a never-ending cycle. Adding a rail system would reduce traffic by taking cars off the road. The quick, convenient train ride seems like a much better option for commuters like me.
But funding!! Ah yes, where will the money come from? I agree with the author about the two possible solutions. The project will be an investment for whoever wants to tackle it, but I believe the money generated will be sufficient to overcome the preliminary costs. Texas, being the state it is, is filled with private companies that I’m sure are eyeing at a venture like this.
As for the resistance against such a project, I’m sure the benefits will outweigh any hinderance caused by the project. The influx of business this could potentially bring is opportune to small communities. For land owners, they will surely be compensated for their land. For airlines, this may not benefit them, but for us, the more competition there is, the better, right?
There’s already talk of building a high-speed rail system between Dallas and Houston, so a project like this should be attainable. With a project this massive in Texas, the costs are undoubtedly going to be high, but the potential of a connected Texas far exceeds any costs.
My classmate Kyle published an article regarding the building of a high-speed rail system connecting the "Texas Triangle" of cities, Houston, Dallas and San Antonio. I am in full support of a long-distance rail system in Texas. In other parts of the country, and the world, trains are an important part of life. It is an efficient mode of transportation that is also affordable.
ReplyDeleteWhile there is currently a passenger railroad in Texas, (the Texas Eagle) it doesn't reach enough of the state. The Texas Eagle runs from El Paso to San Antonio through Austin to Dallas then to Texarkana. This line completely misses most of north Texas and southeast Texas.
Timeliness is also an issue with the current Amtrak lines. To get from Austin to Dallas takes approximately six hours. Almost double what it takes to drive to Dallas. The fact that our American trains are relatively slow compared to our European and Asian counterparts is also a reason that our trains are so unpopular. In order to appeal to the general populous, trains need to be exciting again.
Kyle addresses many good points and also addresses the opposition.
Kyle Ames, a fellow colleague, comments on the upcoming project by Texas Central Partners in a recent blog post. This project will connect Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas—Texas' largest cities that make up the Texas Triangle—via high-speed train.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I agree with Ames when he says, "Texas can benefit in more ways than one," he forgets to provide reasons why the high-speed rail system will benefit Texas and its economy. As the population of Texas' cities increases so will traffic. The result of this project will help reduce traffic congestion on Texas' major highways. The high-speed train will also reduce pollution, creating new jobs, save travelers time and money, and provide travelers with a safer method of transportation.