+1 Private Rail proposal in the Labor Conquers All State

State: Oklahoma

The private rail proposal: A freight rail company  is seeking proposals from private rail carriers to provide passenger service between Tulsa and Oklahoma City

The legislative pathway:

  • 2011 created a task force
  • Task Force offcers ways to link northeastern Oklahoma with the existing Heartland Flyer passenger service between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth
  • State of Oklahoma sold an existing rail line to Watco, the Kasnas freight rail company

US News and World Report | Company…

+1 Texas County Commissioner Court Vote Supporting High Speed Rail. The facts only:

Texas County: Brazos County

Brazos County Commissioner Court Dissent:

  • 1 Commissioner
    • Commissioner Sammy Catalena
  • Dissent based on:
    • Brazos County has no “dog in the fight” as the rail will not traverse Brazos County
    • Concerns of rural landowners

Statements of Brazos County Commissioners in favor of Supporting Texas Central Rail:

  • “Southwest Airlines on the ground,” will be good for all texans
  • “economic boon”
  • it will “allow more students to commute to the Texas A&M University System’s…

1st Operational Privately Owned High Speed Rail in the US. The benefits:

  • Helps Small Businesses.  By bringing new customers & improve quality of life
  • Capitalized its own infrastructure. Unlike CA and TX, the FL project already owned its rail lines
  •  Ease Traffic Congestion & Environmental Impacts. Sustainable alternative to motor vehicles

 

The 1st privately owned High Speed Rail details:

  • began service January 13, 2018
  • service runs from West Palm Beach and  Fort Lauderdale
  • beginning May 19 service expands to Miami
  • the entity behind high speed rail: All Aboard…

Funding for the Bluebonnet State High Speed Rail on I-35 Corridor. Who. What. How much.

What I-35 high speed rail project in Texas? high-speed trains connecting Dallas, Arlington and Fort Worth — and eventually Waco, Austin, Laredo and possibly Monterrey, Mexico

Who approved funding for the 1-35 corrdior high speed rail? The Regional Transportation Council

How much funding and for what purpose? $500,000 to study the viability of the project

Ft. Worth Star Telegram | Full steam ahead for high-speed rail to Arlington, Fort Worth, Waco, Austin, Laredo

State Legislative Committee Strips Federal Rail Funds From State. The steps the committee took:

  • The New Hampshire Senate Committee on Transportation
  • Considering HB 2018 (NH 2018), relating to the state 10-year transportation improvement program
  • Removed from the bill provisions for $4 million in federal funding for a detailed analysis of passenger rail expansion and bus service

 

What was the $4 million in federal funding set to cover?

  • a detailed analysis of engineering, environmental, and geotechnical aspects
  • And, a firm financial plan for expanding passenger rail from Boston to…

High Speed Rail Opposition in the Bluebonnet State. Easter Trending.

Texas High Speed Rail opposition points from the week of March 15th 2018,  are trending:

Government Technology | Is a High-Speed Rail Line Right for Texas?

Dallas Morning News | Dallas-to-Houston high-speed rail plan will make Texas’ I-35 corridor a loser, competitor says

4 Point Opposition to Houston to Dallas High Speed Rail. 3 Counterpoints of Support. High Speed v. Higher Speed.

Who is making these statements? SNCF America, Inc  in written comments to Federal Railway Administration…

Local Government Resolution Supporting High Speed Rail in the Bluebonnet State

City: Lewsiville

What action is the city being asked to take: To add support for the high speed rail to its legislative agenda

What entity does the city council point to asking for the high speed rail support?  Dallas Regional Mobility Council  

City of Lewisville City Council Agenda March 19 2018

Community Impact News | City of Lewisville passes resolution in support of high-speed rail project from Dallas to Houston

 

4 Point Opposition to Houston to Dallas High Speed Rail. 3 Counterpoints of Support. High Speed v. Higher Speed.

Who is making these statements? SNCF America, Inc  in written comments to Federal Railway Administration (FRA) Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIS) for the Dallas to Houston High-Speed Rail Project

What is causing the impending “doom” on passenger rail in Texas?

  • 1 Company benefits. The Texas Central Rail Project is “designed around the best interest of a single company, not what is best for Texans or the state’s rail transportation future.”
  • Limited Area. Modern rail is only…