The dream of a passenger rail connecting San Antonio and Austin is chugging back into the spotlight, courtesy of two county judges and a fresh grassroots movement. Per The San Antonio Express-News, Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai and Travis County Judge Andy Brown have teamed up to advocate for the service that would provide a hassle-free shuttle for fans traveling to Spurs games and reduce traffic congestion on IH-35.
Restart Lone Star Rail District, founded by Clay Anderson in May, is looking to reignite the flame of desire for this particular transit connection. Anderson told KXAN, "A train just makes sense. It's a no brainer, and I feel like it is a low-hanging fruit. If we can get this done, then we can get so many other things done." He went on to highlight the need to swiftly build a high-quality service to entice people to forego their cars.
After the original Lone Star Rail District plan derailed in 2016 when Union Pacific backed out, the idea seemed all but lost. However, in what could spell a ray of hope for proponents, new developments suggest Union Pacific might entertain the concept if investments are made into enhancing freight rail capacity, potentially alleviating truck emissions and traffic on Texas roads. The proposal envisions 19 stops across eight cities, encompassing a population of around 4.5 million.
Building on the need to accommodate a ballooning population that puts transportation into a stranglehold of gridlock, the proposed rail system could serve an estimated four million riders, based on a Columbia University analysis cited by Anderson. He emphasized the economic boon that enhanced mobility could bring, allowing more people to easily access sporting events, concerts, and cultural festivities in both cities.
Restart Lone Star Rail District is not only seeking revitalization of the rail planning efforts but is also looking into tapping into federal funds from the Inflation Reduction Act, which earmarks billions for transportation projects that foster neighborhood equity and safety. Moreover, the group has begun reaching out to local advocacy groups and regional officials to strengthen its push for the rail connection. The advocacy activities are expected to pick up steam with canvassing campaigns designed to spread the word among the citizens.
