High-speed train could one day connect San Antonio to Austin (Houston: university, to live)

[jeffutsa2001]

High-speed train could one day connect San Antonio to Austin | kvue.com Austin

I am 100% in support of this.

This would make it easier to live or work in either city. In my opinion this will help in the eventual combining of their markets.

Every day, thousands of people travel between Austin and San Antonio, but not without usually running into some sort of traffic.

"But with the high-speed vision still years away from reality, little else is known about the company’s plan. The project would be privately funded, and that makes some taxpayers like the idea even more."

The first phase would link Dallas and Houston possibly by 2020. The 2nd phase would be Austin/SA.

Lets hope this gets pushed through!

[Komeht]

In other news: Congress avenue will be repaved with never melting frozen margaritas.

[owlman]

I don't see an Austin/SA line being profitable anytime soon. I-35 traffic needs to get really terrible and the train needs to be dang fast for it to be easier than getting to the train station, waiting for the train, and then getting from the station to your destination without a car.

For those who don't/can't drive, Greyhound already goes from Austin to SA in 90 minutes for four bucks, and multiple trips per day.

[ITO]

Originally Posted by jeffutsa2001

High-speed train could one day connect San Antonio to Austin | kvue.com Austin

I am 100% in support of this.

...

We all are, in fact at one time there was a plan to loop Dallas, Austin, Houston and San Antonio, but Southwest airlines had enough money and influence to kill the bill.

[scm53]

The French national railway, SNCF, responded to a RFP in 2009 for four US rail corridors - FW to DFW to Dallas to Austin to SA being one of them. They would operate them in 73 min Dallas to Austin and 32 min Austin to SA.

They would operate them out of the farebox, and pay for 1/3 of the capital costs. Only cost to the taxpayer would be an initial share of the capital.

RFP response is here:

Rail Plan

[achtungpv]

Originally Posted by ITO

We all are, in fact at one time there was a plan to loop Dallas, Austin, Houston and San Antonio, but Southwest airlines had enough money and influence to kill the bill.

When the Trans Texas Corridor was still alive and the plan was to connect all the major cities with freeways and rail, SWA offered the state that if they paid them half of what that would cost, they'd provide anybody with a Texas ID card/driver's license unlimited free airfare within the state forever with no blackout dates. Of course, the herp a derp felt cars and rail was where it's at and declined the offer.

[LongLiveCassettes]

Originally Posted by owlman

I don't see an Austin/SA line being profitable anytime soon. I-35 traffic needs to get really terrible and the train needs to be dang fast for it to be easier than getting to the train station, waiting for the train, and then getting from the station to your destination without a car.

For those who don't/can't drive, Greyhound already goes from Austin to SA in 90 minutes for four bucks, and multiple trips per day.

So does Bob Cat Tram a service sponsored by Texas State University. Google Bob Cat Tram Inter Urban.

Service is $6 Waterloo Park to San Marcos and another $6 from San Marcos to San Antonio Across the street from Randolph Park and Ride.

Also try Mega Bus. Whitis Ave. and 20th Austin to Broadway and 4th San Antonio under $7 one way!

A bus can be moved easily without substantial cost, a train however, cannot.

Mega Bus offers dirt cheap San Antonio to Houston fares as well. Welcome to megabus

Mega Bus doesn't take bikes, Bob Cat can hold 3 bikes. Bike to Bus?, take the Bob Cat Tram!

[Trainwreck20]

I just don't see the volume of traffic to support light rail currently, but I could be wrong.

[FueledByBlueBell]

Three words grab my attention here-- "could" and "some day".

[scm53]

Originally Posted by Komeht

In other news: Congress avenue will be repaved with never melting frozen margaritas.

If they don't melt, they will be tough to drink.