Houston-Dallas high speed rail: eminent domain approved (Austin, College Station: college, price)

[airdrawndagger]

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/new...n-16258265.php

Mixed feelings here. Completely understand the need for eminent domain for public infrastructure projects like the interstate highway system, but a bit surprised that the TX Supreme Court is allowing eminent domain for a private venture like the bullet train.

Also feel empathetic to the land owners while recognizing that the train will be beneficial for Houston, Dallas, A&M, and repurposing the blighted Northwest Mall.

[Spartacus713]

Originally Posted by airdrawndagger

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/new...n-16258265.php

Mixed feelings here. Completely understand the need for eminent domain for public infrastructure projects like the interstate highway system, but a bit surprised that the TX Supreme Court is allowing eminent domain for a private venture like the bullet train.

Also feel empathetic to the land owners while recognizing that the train will be beneficial for Houston, Dallas, A&M, and repurposing the blighted Northwest Mall.

I am a Houstonian also. I agree with all of that. Of course to build a train line, you have to have a pretty straight right-of-way, or you cannot build it. The one problem I definitely have with this proposal is the proposed stop at College Station. That is just ridiculous and that stop should be eliminated.

Trains are good, if there is sufficient demand. If I was thinking of flying to Dallas from Houston and this option was available, I would take the train, if it was price competitive. It would certainly be more convenient and more comfortable. It sounds like all things considered, it might be faster, too.

It is also good that this is apparently not another drain on the public resources. So at first glance, it is a bit weird that the Texas Supreme Court allowed this for a private company, but what the state is doing here is effectively outsourcing this whole public project to a private company. I am certain that a private company will do a better job of operating this than the Texas state government would. See Amtrak for a reference of performance comparison.

The traffic back and forth between Houston and Dallas is substantial. The distance is long enough that most people would prefer not to drive, if possible. The planes are the planes. {Insert vomit smilie here}. This does look like it could be one of the few constructive and profitable projects like this in the USA, based on the particular circumstances.

Of course the risk is that it underperforms and the government has to come in and bail it out later. I do not know very much about the details of this project right now, and like Ross Perot correctly observed: "The devil is in the details". I would like to know more before strongly taking one side or another on this.

All that being said, my initial reaction is positive. I want to believe and I tentatively support it. Show me more.

[astrohip]

Originally Posted by airdrawndagger

a bit surprised that the TX Supreme Court is allowing eminent domain for a private venture like the bullet train.

Their decision was the bullet train venture is a train. And railroad companies are allowed to use eminent domain for their lines. So by saying the BT is a train, they can use ED also.

Everyone involved keeps saying this won't cost taxpayers anything. No matter what. Let's hope that's accurate.

[mojo101]

how about Houston t o New Orleans?

[crone]

Originally Posted by mojo101

how about Houston t o New Orleans?

and Mobile and Tallahassee. Put that track back, further inland.

[ym2m11]

Should be Austin-Dallas-Houston

[Spade]

Originally Posted by mojo101

how about Houston t o New Orleans?

One step at a time. Let's get Dallas-Houston kickin then we can discuss extensions.

[SpeedThink]

Definitely, the Bullet Train to/from Houston to Dallas is the first step.

Then maybe from/to Houston to Austin.

Years ago, if I am not mistaken, there was a train from Houston to Galveston. This should also be re-visited.

With the net migration increase into Texas, strategically and efficiently moving people within the State via a bullet train appears prudent.

[oceangaia]

Originally Posted by astrohip

Their decision was the bullet train venture is a train. And railroad companies are allowed to use eminent domain for their lines. So by saying the BT is a train, they can use ED also.

Everyone involved keeps saying this won't cost taxpayers anything. No matter what. Let's hope that's accurate.

And how is this company that owns no railroad cars and no railroad track and currently provides no railroad services deemed to be a "train"? It is a paper company that identifies as a railroad.

[oceangaia]

Originally Posted by Spartacus713

I am a Houstonian also. I agree with all of that. Of course to build a train line, you have to have a pretty straight right-of-way, or you cannot build it. The one problem I definitely have with this proposal is the proposed stop at College Station. That is just ridiculous and that stop should be eliminated.

Trains are good, if there is sufficient demand. If I was thinking of flying to Dallas from Houston and this option was available, I would take the train, if it was price competitive. It would certainly be more convenient and more comfortable. It sounds like all things considered, it might be faster, too.

It is also good that this is apparently not another drain on the public resources. So at first glance, it is a bit weird that the Texas Supreme Court allowed this for a private company, but what the state is doing here is effectively outsourcing this whole public project to a private company. I am certain that a private company will do a better job of operating this than the Texas state government would. See Amtrak for a reference of performance comparison.

The traffic back and forth between Houston and Dallas is substantial. The distance is long enough that most people would prefer not to drive, if possible. The planes are the planes. {Insert vomit smilie here}. This does look like it could be one of the few constructive and profitable projects like this in the USA, based on the particular circumstances.

Of course the risk is that it underperforms and the government has to come in and bail it out later. I do not know very much about the details of this project right now, and like Ross Perot correctly observed: "The devil is in the details". I would like to know more before strongly taking one side or another on this.

All that being said, my initial reaction is positive. I want to believe and I tentatively support it. Show me more.

They can say it is a private venture now but I have zero confidence that taxpayer money won't be used to bail it out. Is this going to be another venture where the private company stands to reap the profits if it succeeds and the taxpayer stands to bear the losses if it fails?

I also doubt it is going to be price competitive without public subsidies. Just look at Amtrak fares. Without stops you probably won't have the riders and with stops you won't be competitive on travel time.