Houston to Dallas High Speed Rail (San Antonio, Austin: rental car, rental, restaurants)

[jek74]

Private Firm Planning Bullet Trains in Texas by 2020 — Transportation | The Texas Tribune

I know this has been talked about endlessly but this article came out yesterday, so just wanted to post it.

[Topaz]

I think this is interesting but my big question is this: Once you arrive in Houston or Dallas, then how are you supposed to get around? Neither city is known for fabulous mass transit.

[testmo]

if it hooks up right into the DART you can get around some of the walkable areas of downtown dallas with bars and restaurants.

for houston it'd have to have enter into downtown which would then be an easy hop onto our light rail system which can take you to Herman park, the zoo, herman park. when the rail expansion happens it could take you into the museum district and bars/restaurants

business travelers wont have a problem. i'd imagine companies would have a car or someone to pick the person up at either end. i think it is cool.

[Dopo]

Originally Posted by Topaz

I think this is interesting but my big question is this: Once you arrive in Houston or Dallas, then how are you supposed to get around? Neither city is known for fabulous mass transit.

Exactly,
the first thing we need to do is to have mass transit connecting IAH-Downtown-Hobby-Galveston.
After that, we can talk.

[predatorprey]

This will be as successful as the Amtrak routes in the northeast.

[testmo]

heres to hoping but no way will it be on the same caliber. there is nothing like being able to take a train for a few hours each leg and be able to do DC, NYC, and Boston. then of course the stuff in between. Texas just has so much more space

im hoping for the Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio loop! whenever this thing gets built (if not other tracks already link into it) all the other major cities will be busting to get their line in

[jek74]

Originally Posted by Topaz

I think this is interesting but my big question is this: Once you arrive in Houston or Dallas, then how are you supposed to get around? Neither city is known for fabulous mass transit.

The short term solution would be to have a bunch of rental car agencies on site. Zip Car can establish a hub at the station and it wouldn't be hard to add some bus routes coming from the train station.

I keep reading about this big Texas Triangle that one day in the future will all be connected. It is so impractical to fly from Houston to Dallas or to Austin. A train would really expedite business between the cities and might actually create a tourism industry within the state of Texas.

[MathmanMathman]

Originally Posted by Topaz

I think this is interesting but my big question is this: Once you arrive in Houston or Dallas, then how are you supposed to get around? Neither city is known for fabulous mass transit.

Same problem if you fly. Guess this is thought to be a better solution for mid-distance travel. Too far to drive, too short to fly. If Houston and Dallas had Zipcar when arriving in either city, that might help.

[jek74]

Originally Posted by Dopo

Exactly,
the first thing we need to do is to have mass transit connecting IAH-Downtown-Hobby-Galveston.
After that, we can talk.

Here's the thing. While I agree it would be nice to do that, I'm not sure that would be terribly profitable. Basically it would not help anyone in the burbs get to the airport and let's face it, I don't know anyone who flys into IAH and then needs to get to Hobby to make a connecting flight on southwest airlines. Airport rail transit would only benefit a few people in the loop who need to get to IAH and don't want to pay for long term parking.

Most visitors who come to Houston are going to need a car. We've already established this since there is terrible transit service in the city. So taking a train from IAH into downtown is pointless if they are going to need to rent a car anyway. Now once we have comprehensive rail service all over the loop, then one can make the argument for airport rail into the city that would connect the light rail in the city.

[HtownLove]

Originally Posted by Topaz

I think this is interesting but my big question is this: Once you arrive in Houston or Dallas, then how are you supposed to get around? Neither city is known for fabulous mass transit.

ask yourself this, when they fly here how do they get around now?


you think continuing to have the limited options of flight or driving will improve the transit here? No. If a bullet train comes then options will be expanded

Originally Posted by Dopo

Exactly,
the first thing we need to do is to have mass transit connecting IAH-Downtown-Hobby-Galveston.
After that, we can talk.

why does that have to be done before you even talk? That is just silly.

Originally Posted by jek74

Here's the thing. While I agree it would be nice to do that, I'm not sure that would be terribly profitable. Basically it would not help anyone in the burbs get to the airport and let's face it, I don't know anyone who flys into IAH and then needs to get to Hobby to make a connecting flight on southwest airlines. Airport rail transit would only benefit a few people in the loop who need to get to IAH and don't want to pay for long term parking.

Most visitors who come to Houston are going to need a car. We've already established this since there is terrible transit service in the city. So taking a train from IAH into downtown is pointless if they are going to need to rent a car anyway. Now once we have comprehensive rail service all over the loop, then one can make the argument for airport rail into the city that would connect the light rail in the city.

we could have rails on every other street in the city, taking a car would still be easier and more convenient. proactive steps must be put in place to make driving less convenient or else Houston, Dallas and San Antonio are just going to stretch into each other. But then again they can't make driving less convenient and at the same time not improve PT.

That is why people here need to stop trying to jump the baby steps and go straight to running.