Austin conference highlights Amtrak’s vision for Texas high-speed rail

AUSTIN, Texas (KBTX) -Amtrak is continuing to lay the groundwork to bring high-speed rail to Texas, with plans to connect Dallas and Houston. Advocates say the proposal could transform the state’s transportation landscape and address growing congestion as Texas’ population continues to swell.

Speaking at the Move America Conference in Austin Wednesday, Andy Byford, Amtrak’s vice president of high-speed rail, highlighted the significance of the project, which aims to offer Texans an alternative to congested highways and overcrowded airports.

“These are really exciting times for Texas,” Byford said. “People really are wanting to see more rail in Texas. And the good news is that’s exactly what Amtrak wants as well. We’ve got our existing five daily services, but we’re looking to massively expand our presence here, working with TxDOT to address all three sides of the Texas Triangle.”

Byford says the proposed high-speed rail line between Dallas and Houston is central to Amtrak’s vision for the state. The route, which would also pass through College Station, is seen as a critical step in alleviating pressure on Interstate 45.

“We believe Dallas to Houston represents a compelling corridor. It’s the most obvious one in the country in terms of the distance, in terms of the population, in terms of the projected ridership,” Byford said. “But we’re not yet able to say it’s a definite proposition. There’s still more work to be done to make the case and to go out and get that funding required.”

A Transformative Project

During his fireside chat with Trinity Metro President and CEO Richard Andreski Byford call the opportunity to expand passenger rail in Texas as a transformative moment. He says Amtrak is still in the planning and development stages for the Dallas-Houston rail line, with key milestones over the next year, including more design and environmental work. Byford also emphasized the importance of being thorough before seeking approval from Amtrak’s board.

“The next six months are going to be very busy,” Byford said. “We’ve got more design work to do, more environmental work to do, looking at probably 50 years of ridership projections, revenue projections, finalizing other elements of the design. Only then would we adopt a go-no-go decision.”

While the project is still in its early stages, Byford said he remains optimistic, pointing to the success of high-speed rail systems in other countries. He mentioned the economic, environmental, and societal benefits seen in nations like Japan, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

“What you tend to get is real, what we call transit-oriented development,” Byford said. “Businesses pop up, housing gets constructed around the sites, commuting becomes a lot easier, and you do have the huge environmental benefits of getting cars off the road.”

If completed, the Dallas-Houston line would allow passengers to travel between the two cities in under 90 minutes, which Amtrak predicts would take 12,000 to 15,000 cars off the road each day.

“For me, it’s a win-win,” Byford said. “The science in terms of the economic uplift that happens is proven in many cases across the world.”

Support Across the State

In addition to the Dallas-Houston project, Amtrak is looking to improve rail services across the entire Texas Triangle, which includes San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, and Houston. Byford stressed that securing political support is key to turning these plans into reality.

“I don’t think you can ever build new infrastructure, and I don’t think you should ever build new infrastructure unless you have consulted with the community and unless you have the buy-in of elected officials,” Byford said. “Here in Austin, we’re lucky we’ve got Mayor Parker, who’s very pro-rail expansion. And that’s what you need. We’ll certainly need political support. We’ll need buy-in from the state. We’ll need federal support.”

Byford encouraged Texans to voice their support for more rail services by contacting their elected officials. He says that public demand is crucial to moving the project forward.

“If you want to see us provide more rail service in Texas, we’re ready to do that,” Byford said. “Please, if you do want to see that, talk to your elected officials. Say that you want to see more rail service in Texas—more frequent service, more punctual service, more affordable service. Talk to your elected officials, and as they then talk to Amtrak, I’m sure we can make this thing a reality.”

Opposition

While much of the conversations being held at the Move America Conference in Austin was focused on support for Amtrak’s proposed high-speed rail project, opposition remains a significant part of the broader conversation. Critics, particularly from rural communities along the route, have long expressed concerns about funding, land acquisition, and potential disruptions to local areas. Texans Against High-Speed Rail, a group of landowners and officials, has raised objections over the estimated multi-billion-dollar cost and the possibility of taxpayer funding. Waller County Judge Trey Duhon previously stated, “This was supposed to be a privately funded project. With Amtrak’s involvement, we’re now seeing the possibility of taxpayer dollars being used.” Additionally, new developments along the route could be affected, as many neighborhoods have emerged since initial environmental studies were conducted. While these concerns weren’t a focus at the conference, they continue to shape the ongoing debate around the project.

A Bright Future for Texas Rail

Andreski echoed Byford’s optimism during the 20-minute fireside chat. Having moved to Texas from Connecticut, Andreski shared his excitement about the public’s support for rail expansion in the Lone Star State.

“We’ve done a little bit of market research, and we have found in our part of the Texas Triangle here [Ft. Worth] that 78 percent of the electorate wants more investment in rail and they’re willing to pay for it,” Andreski said. “That’s exciting. And number two, we’re seeing strong response from the market to rail service. People are riding—we’re seeing 15 to 18 percent compounded annual growth. So there’s really an appetite for passenger rail.”

Andreski also noted the success of Trinity Metro’s TexRail, a rail line that connects Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport to Fort Worth. He explained that ridership has surged for both business and leisure trips, highlighting the changing nature of rail travel in Texas.

“We’re seeing people using the train for every trip—entertainment, connecting to leisure travel, business travel, not just traditional commutes,” Andreski said. “The opportunity for us is to continue to lean into that trend.”

Byford added that Texas must think big to meet the challenges of its rapidly growing population.

“If we don’t increase and expand rail service across the whole of Texas, my prediction is this great state will grind to a halt,” Byford said. “You may not, as the political leader, be at the ribbon cutting, but you’re the visionary that made it start.”

Both Byford and Andreski emphasized that partnerships at the local, state, and federal levels will be essential to the success of the rail expansion. They believe that, with the right support, Texas can create a transformative rail network that will benefit future generations.

“I am encouraged by big thinking and boldness,” Andreski said. “I would say my wrap-up is really—it’s about partnerships. And I think Amtrak being here in Texas is really, we have a bright future.”

Move America Conference

The Move America Conference is an event focused on the future of transportation and infrastructure, bringing together industry experts, policymakers, and decision-makers to discuss innovative solutions for the nation’s mobility challenges. Held annually, the conference aims to foster collaboration across sectors such as rail, automotive, aviation, and public transit, promoting sustainable and efficient transportation systems. It serves as a platform for showcasing new technologies, discussing policy developments, and exploring projects like high-speed rail, with the goal of improving transportation networks and addressing the evolving needs of cities and states across the country.

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