Press Release

Texas to See Increased Rail Service under New Proposal

Dallas, TX, August 14, 2007 – With Texans facing gridlock on the highways, “winglock” in the air, and an enhanced need for transportation options as another hurricane season develops, the Texas Association of Rail Passengers (TXARP) and the Texas Rail Advocates (TRA) detailed today how a recent proposal by the National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP) could expand and modernize passenger train travel in Texas and around the nation. 

"Passenger and freight rail improvements can not come too soon for Texas,” said John Radovich, president of Texas Rail Advocates.  “Most people don't realize that railroads in Texas operate on a single track system with passing sidings. This equates to running an interstate highway with only one lane for both directions."

Texas would be a major beneficiary of this proposal, with extensive service added to the current Amtrak and state-supported trains. Under the proposal:

• Abilene, Amarillo, Brownsville, Bryan, Corpus Christi, Laredo, Odessa, and Victoria would finally join the national passenger rail grid.
• Houston would become a major gateway city, with supplementing its existing Sunset Limited service with direct connections to Bryan/Killeen, Dallas, Longview, and Victoria through to Brownsville.
• Fort Worth would connect directly with Abilene, on to Odessa, and service would continue west to connect with Amtrak’s Sunset Limited route.
• San Antonio would become a gateway with new service south to Corpus Christi and Laredo.
• El Paso will supplement its existing Sunset Limited service with a direct connection Albuquerque to Las Cruces
• Lubbock will connect with Amarillo and Pueblo, CO to the north, and with Bryan, Killeen, Bryan and Houston to the south, as well as enjoying connections westward to Albuquerque, El Paso and Las Cruces and eastward to Dallas/Fort Worth

Texas cities and towns along all of the routes would join a nationwide enhanced “grid and gateway” network around the country that will mean more frequent, reliable, and convenient service connecting Texas better with the rest of the country. 

According to Henry Wulff, president of TX ARP, “All these communities on the map are going to realize the economic development benefits that come with expanded passenger train service.”

Amtrak served 268,452 passengers at its 19 Texas stations in 2006, and employed 250 residents and expended $12.7 million in goods and services in the state last year – despite having truncated the Sunset Limited at New Orleans in 2005.

 The proposed grid and gateway map is a key part of the NARP’s proposal unveiled this summer. That proposal, available at www.narprail.org/vision, envisions a network that will improve transportation options, facilitate the efficient movement of people and goods, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help wean America off its dependence on fossil fuels.

“Our government leaders at the local, regional, state and federal level need to start actively pursuing public-private partnerships now and improve our rail system infrastructure that will move both people and goods throughout the state,” concluded Peter LeCody, executive administrator of Texas Rail Advocates.  “It's also time for Texans to tell their elected leaders that dependable, fast and frequent passenger rail service is a choice of travel that is needed.  Failure to plan for the future in rail transportation will result in a mobility meltdown."

About the Texas Association of Railroad Passengers
The Texas Association of Rail Passengers is a grassroots, all-volunteer statewide organization whose goal is to promote a balanced transportation system in Texas by improving and expanding the movement of goods and people by rail.    Members include individuals, cities, chambers of commerce, economic development corporations and convention and visitors bureaus.   For more information please visit www.txarp.org

About Texas Rail Advocates
Texas Rail Advocates is a non-profit education organization educating the public and elected officials about the benefits of improved rail transportation in Texas and the Southwest.   Our mission is to accelerate Texas's economic growth and enhance the quality of life enjoyed by its people by advancing the development of rail service to its full potential as a carrier of freight and passengers.   For more information please visit www.texasrailadvocates.org

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