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French, Chinese interested in Texas high speed rail
An overabundance of hopeful operators?
SNCF America and the Chinese companies may want to consider a high speed rail line between San Antonio, Austin and Dallas. And, another corridor connecting San Antonio/Austin to Houston can be included.
Really is amazin that in modern times (now) it takes years & years what took months to do ( back in the day) We going forward or backwards? I understand all Political stuff, epa stuff, red tape but GD!
I think James got it right, one build out with sole operator makes a lot of sense but this different than the airline industry where the upfront capital for more than one airline is feasible especially with the airfields between population centers already in place. Just trying to understand how even a back of the napkin calculation would work out for more than one high speed rail line.
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As far as Britt’s comments, because of the extended timeline we know have a whole cottage industry of consultants, pr firms and a fair share of engineering companies who make a lot of money by extending the process before one shovel of dirt is turned. Their is a lot of private businesses who might give you a tea party line about government being to big and to much regulation but don’t want things happening like the old days. The status quo is becoming very profitable for a lot of people. How else do you think you get to the numbers of multi millions, this case +$200 million, just too fricking get it designed, permitted and signed off. As per James comments, your talking half billion to get two or three high speed lines without laying one mile of track.
But, we all know nobody wants to ride the train (or the streetcar, the rapid transit, the heavy rail, the…).
At “only” 10B, the projected construction costs seem fairly low, considering the need to build at least part of the line within urban areas. This will certainly not happen without a significant dose of public money - as do all HSR projects all over the World.
Oh great the FRA is working on a environment impact statement which really means this project will be delayed a minimum of 3 to 5 years. If you don’t beleave it look no futher than the california high speed rail project. Approved in 2008 and not one cross tie put in place and not one foot of rail laid. When is the government gonna get out of the way and let things get done.
It seems rather puzzling that these foreign concerns would want to back a project with no hard data on ridership, when they could join forces with Amtrak to overhaul the NEC where there is a proven ridership base.
I agree with Mr. Vinson. Ignoring Austin and San Antonio is foolish. I think the primary line should be DFW-Waco-Austin-SA, with a Houston branch off that line at, say, Round Rock, since their AAA baseball team is called the Express.
Hard data on ridership is only possible after service begins.
But those consultants referred to earlier do have some serious mathematics and expertise into ridership projection.
The government will get out of the way when wasting time does not make them more money (salary).
It is a shame Mr. Ekren cannot use correct grammar.
Finally, recall the former governor, “oops” Perry, proposed a multi-lane corridor project from Mexico up through or near Dallas-Fort Worth and on to Oklahoma. I believe it died on the vine.
No way Abbott, Patrick, and the other GOPTP’ers will ever let this get built. The only way would be serious cash from the French or Chinese into their pockets.
If we could l0ook ahead 25 years I suspect we would see not only this idea implemented but other pairs of metropolises connected by HSR all over the USA. More lanes and planes aren’t going to carry the loads. Oh yes, and I second Mr. Bates’ motion in regard to the poor grammar. Yikes!