2 replies to this topic

[KevinKorell]

This is the first I've heard of high speed rail that would run solely within the DFW Metroplex. This is apart from other plans for Dallas-Houston and Dallas-Shreveport. From CBS Dallas/Fort Worth, 5/4/16:

The DFW High-Speed Rail Commission plans on connecting downtown Dallas and downtown Fort Worth by establishing a high-speed rail service.

My opinion of this story is that it seems too short a distance for high speed rail to really be effective. Sure it will be faster than Trinity Railway Express and Amtrak between the two cities, but it will be akin to a horizontal elevator ride. For the cost of building this, I don't know if the market between the two cities would make it worthwhile. It seems, too, that Arlington -- transit starved Arlington -- has a stake in this. However being that the only intermediate station would be in the vicinity of the two stadiums in the city, I don't see much ridership for what they would have to charge, short of when the Cowboys and Rangers play... and even then somebody spending a fortune on a sporting event may not also want to spend so much on travel to and from the venues.

[CNJRoss]

Star Telegram, Fort Worth, TX 6/20/16:
 

Dallas-Fort Worth high-speed rail plan draws worldwide interest

 

Highlights

-Officials from railroads in France, China, attend forum

-Bullet trains would connect Dallas, Arlington, Fort Worth

-Proposals to build system due Aug. 31

 

 

ARLINGTON - High-speed rail is a touchy subject in much of Texas, where some politicians and landowners are concerned about train tracks cutting across private property.

 

But local leaders in Dallas-Fort Worth, where traffic congestion is a near-universal concern among many of the region’s roughly 7 million residents, want the world’s biggest passenger rail operators to know that if they’re willing to build the super-fast trains in North Texas they will find a more-than-receptive audience.

 

 

Continue here.

[CNJRoss]

Update on a 'dormant' topic.

 

Newsweek, 5/14/24

 

Texas Bullet Train Update as Route Unclear

 

On Monday the North Central Texas Council of Government (NCTCOG) gave updates on an outline plan to construct a high-speed rail line between Dallas and Fort Worth, though details about the project remain vague.

 

NCTCOG transportation planning manager Brendon Wheeler confirmed at a public meeting that the agency is trying to find an outside partner but admitted potential investors are concerned about how the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process would affect their income.

 

 

Continue here.