A newly formed group is trying to revive a plan to bring passenger train service to the I-35 corridor in Central Texas. FOX 7 Austin's John Krinjak has more ...
According to the video, the original effort to get this passenger rail set up died in 2016 because Union Pacific wasn’t interested and that’s (theoretically) changed now. I wonder if it’s just a change in management decision makers or if UP’s business is down on those routes and it’d actually benefit them to get a slice of that traffic.
I do wonder what the projected cost might be to make this a reality - the rep from the rail line project said a study projected a 20% in traffic on 35 if the rail line were to be completed. I’m guessing that’s the optimistic number and it doesn’t feel like 20% would be life-changing necessarily, so it’s a real question of whether it’d be worth whatever the cost might be
According to the video, the original effort to get this passenger rail set up died in 2016 because Union Pacific wasn’t interested and that’s (theoretically) changed now. I wonder if it’s just a change in management decision makers or if UP’s business is down on those routes and it’d actually benefit them to get a slice of that traffic.
I do wonder what the projected cost might be to make this a reality - the rep from the rail line project said a study projected a 20% in traffic on 35 if the rail line were to be completed. I’m guessing that’s the optimistic number and it doesn’t feel like 20% would be life-changing necessarily, so it’s a real question of whether it’d be worth whatever the cost might be
UP changing their minds could also have something to do with the Brightline’s apparent success in Florida.
I say bring it on. The more reasons to avoid taking 35, the better.
From the website it looks like UP just said “sure, we will listen.”
I could have used this twice in the last month but I’m Not holding my breath.
https://www.restartlonestarraildistrict.org/news