Fort Worth-to-Kansas City Rail Line back on Track (Houston, Dallas: home, transfer to)

[Exult.Q36]

Passenger rail advocates are pushing to bring back Amtrak service from Fort Worth to Kansas City, Mo., after a 33-year hiatus.
Even if things go well, it will likely be several years before the old Lone Star route, which was discontinued in 1979, can be resurrected -- and that's only if supporters cobble together startup funds of $136.5 million to $475 million from the federal government and the states served along the way.
But if it could be done, the Lone Star route today would serve up to 368,000 passengers per year, according to a service development plan completed in November. That would be more passengers than the line carried in its heyday, a supporter said.
Several alternatives could reduce the cost, including a proposal for a shorter route that would extend service from Fort Worth to Newton, Kan. -- about 190 miles southwest of Kansas City -- for about $136.5 million. From there, Amtrak riders could transfer to the Southwest Chief to complete their trip to Kansas City -- and the investment of public dollars would be less than the cost of rebuilding a freeway interchange in a major city, said Deborah Fischer-Stout, president of the Northern Flyer Alliance, a group that includes 49 cities along the Interstate 35 corridor that want to expand rail service.
Read more here: Rail advocates want to get Fort Worth-to-Kansas City service back on track | Local News ...

[munna21977]

I wish that goes thru. also fort worth is connected all the way to austin and san antonio so that it brings some respite from choking I-35. but knowing the nature of public opinion and politicians, they are just against rail.

Originally Posted by kdogg817

Passenger rail advocates are pushing to bring back Amtrak service from Fort Worth to Kansas City, Mo., after a 33-year hiatus.
Even if things go well, it will likely be several years before the old Lone Star route, which was discontinued in 1979, can be resurrected -- and that's only if supporters cobble together startup funds of $136.5 million to $475 million from the federal government and the states served along the way.
But if it could be done, the Lone Star route today would serve up to 368,000 passengers per year, according to a service development plan completed in November. That would be more passengers than the line carried in its heyday, a supporter said.
Several alternatives could reduce the cost, including a proposal for a shorter route that would extend service from Fort Worth to Newton, Kan. -- about 190 miles southwest of Kansas City -- for about $136.5 million. From there, Amtrak riders could transfer to the Southwest Chief to complete their trip to Kansas City -- and the investment of public dollars would be less than the cost of rebuilding a freeway interchange in a major city, said Deborah Fischer-Stout, president of the Northern Flyer Alliance, a group that includes 49 cities along the Interstate 35 corridor that want to expand rail service.
Read more here: Rail advocates want to get Fort Worth-to-Kansas City service back on track | Local News ...

[stillkit]

How many people actually travel between Ft. Worth and Kansas City every day?

Obviously, not enough to justify regular train service or it wouldn't need to be subsidized.

This project has nothing to do with public convenience and much to do with political influence, ie: bringing home the bacon.

[munna21977]

Many people travel between Austin-San Antonio or say Dallas-Houston. But conservatives who hate train will never allow it.

Originally Posted by stillkit

How many people actually travel between Ft. Worth and Kansas City every day?

Obviously, not enough to justify regular train service or it wouldn't need to be subsidized.

This project has nothing to do with public convenience and much to do with political influence, ie: bringing home the bacon.