The newly formed Northeast High-Speed Rail Coalition launched this week with a conference focused on promoting a high-speed line from Boston to New York City via Springfield, Hartford, and Long Island. The trip would take about 1 hour and 50 minutes. The Acela Express...
Newsletter 8/16/24: Caltrain Debuts Electric Trains, Legislator Wants to Kill HSR, and Dallas HSR Planning Moves Ahead
Caltrain Debuts Electric Trains
This week Caltrain debuted its new fleet of electric trains, commencing revenue service between San Francisco and San Jose. Caltrain’s electrified service will be faster, more frequent, and is an example of world-class regional rail that the rest of North America should strive for.
Caltrain estimates that corridor electrification will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 250,000 tons annually, equivalent to taking 55,000 cars off the road.
Caltrain electrification wouldn’t have happened without California’s high-speed rail project, and we look forward to the day that high-speed trains run on these new electrified tracks.
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California Legislator Wants to Kill High-Speed Rail
Congressman Mike Garcia (R-Santa Clara) announced that he has introduced a bill that would cut off funding for any high-speed rail project that hasn’t laid track after a decade. California’s High-Speed Rail Project has been a constant target of legislation and lawsuits aimed at killing the project. Despite that, the project is now environmentally cleared from San Francisco to Los Angeles and has over 25 active construction sites on the initial 119 mile segment in the Central Valley.
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California Legislator Wants to Kill Federal Funding for California High Speed Project
Dallas High Speed Rail Planning Moves Ahead
In June the Dallas City Council passed a resolution opposing any new elevated rail line through the Central Business District until an economic impact study is completed. There were concerns that this decision could halt a Dallas-Fort Worth high-speed rail environmental study by the North Central Texas Council of Governments.
Fortunately, NCTCOG has received additional funding to include an alternative alignment through downtown Dallas, and the environmental study is on track to be completed in March.
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Dallas’ Opposition Won’t Delay High-Speed Rail Planning to Fort Worth
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Chicago’s Intercity Bus Hub Is at Risk
When: Tuesday, August 27 at 12pm CT on Zoom
Chicago is on the verge of suffering a major blow to its transportation system by becoming one of the world’s largest cities without an intercity bus station.
Join us to discuss urgent issues surrounding the effort to preserve the station, with perspectives from political leaders and local advocates.
New Trains for Texas
When: Friday, September 6 at 12pm CT on Zoom
Amtrak and Texas Central Partners have made headlines since partnering last year to explore high-speed rail for the Lone Star State. But the proposed 200-mph line connecting Dallas and Houston is not the only project in development. Texas received several other Corridor ID grants to do initial planning for new or improved train service to many other communities, including Fort Worth and San Antonio. The FRA’s long-distance study also raised the possibility of turning Dallas-Fort Worth into a major hub for interregional trains that would connect to cities such as Denver, Kansas City, and Atlanta. Additionally, local leaders are calling for more frequency on existing trains like Amtrak’s Texas Eagle and Heartland Flyer. In this talk, we’ll hear from Peter LeCody, President of Texas Rail Advocates.
American High Speed Rail Act: A Conversation With Congressman Seth Moulton
When: Wednesday, September 18 at 12pm CT on Zoom
In March, Rep. Moulton (D-MA) and Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-WA) introduced the American High-Speed Rail Act, which would invest $205 billion federal dollars into high-speed rail. Join us for a conversation about this game-changing proposal.
Trump Bemoans Lack of US High-Speed Trains. His Presidency Cut Support.
Amtrak Invests in NEC Infrastructure
Is High-Speed Rail Hitting the Fast Track in the Near Future? (NPR Podcast)
Brightline West Obtains $1 Billion Bond Offering
Stuart Commissioners Move Forward With Brightline Station Agreement
SunRail Debuts DeLand Station, Eyes More Expansion
Largest Intercity Bus Operator in US Sees Bright Future for Bus Travel
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