Posted on 07/28/2010 6:04:04 AM PDT by Willie Green
We all know the state highway department has been called the Texas Department of Transportation for eons, but admit it -- when you think of TxDOT you think of highways, right?
Well that is supposed to be changing, ever so slowly. Under some pressure by the Legislature, TxDOT created a brand-new rail division and appointed its first-ever rail director. That chap, his name is Bill Glavin, has traipsed across the state asking voters what they have in mind, and is now just about finished with the Texas's first official statewide rail plan.
Wednesday afternoon, the Texas highway chiefs will gather to give him some input. You can watch over the web, by going here. The discussion -- at a workshop in advance of Thursday's formal Texas Transportation Commission meeting -- is broadcast live beginning at 1:30 p.m. (A full agenda is here.)
Meanwhile, let's start our own chat in the comments about what kind of rail plan the state should aim for? Should we be reaching for high-speed rail? Or focusing on improving the Amtrak service we have? Or should our efforts be focused on freight improvements, instead?
(Excerpt) Read more at transportationblog.dallasnews.com ...
I think Texas should rip up whatever tracks they near Austin and ride a bunch of politicians outa town on a rail each.
I think Texas should rip up whatever tracks they have near Austin and ride a bunch of politicians out’a town on a rail each.
Agreed. The problem is if those same right of ways have enough room for a set of dedicated passenger rails. OR if they can find a private company to purchase the land for passenger rail with no use of emminent doamin and no expenditure of public monies.
Frankly I don't think it can be done.
A far better tack to take would be to find the bottle necks preventing proper use of the resources we currently have and solving them.
Gee, I did not realize that there was that much railroad track in the Austin area......
Texas could rip up that useless boondoggle in Austin called ‘light rail’ and run every politician out from downtown to Leander.
The word “rail”, in the “tar-’n-feathers, ride ‘em outta town” sense, refers to a piece of a split-rail fence. See the garden department of your local Lowes or Home Depot - they’ve got plenty!
Knowing how many politicians here are in Austin, I just wanted to make sure there was enough rail.........
You continue to disappoint me Willie.
Although this may come as a shock to your delicate sensitivities, I really must assure you that the higher priorities in my life do not center around trying to gain your personal approval.
Sorry to burst your bubble.
I wonder why the 'jounalist' wasn't curious about the Texas Railroad Commissioner thoughts as well. Perhaps it is over my paygrade.
You still like me though; right?!!
OR if they can find a private company to purchase the land for passenger rail with no use of emminent doamin and no expenditure of public monies.
No, I would be in favor of Antitrust Legislation (or better yet... a Constitutional Amendment) that banned private rights-of-way.
It doesn't matter if we're talking airway, highway, waterway, roadway or railway... NO PRIVATE ENTITY should be granted monopolistic power to restrict our freedom to travel.
Even the freight tracks should be nationalized.
Let the private freight carriers actually compete against each other, just like the trucking companies have to do on our highways, the airlines have to do on our airways, and barge companies on our waterways.
YOU DONT ‘BURST’ MY BUBBLE’
I JUST FEEL SORRY FOR YOU AND THE APPEARANCE THAT YOU HAVE TO BE A ROUND HOLE TRYING TO ACCOMMADATE A SQUARE PEG.
for attention or whatever
YOU DONT ‘BURST’ MY BUBBLE’
Yeah... well the way that you pound on those capital letters like that, it's pretty obvious that something is about to burst. LOL!
Socialism never works. It doesn't matter if we're talking airway, highway, waterway, roadway or railway... NO PRIVATE ENTITY should be granted monopolistic power to restrict our freedom to travel.
No private entity has that power. Nor would a privately owned rail system, (like most rails we have now) confer that power. UNless of course you ban cars to keep us peasants supporting your trains.
Even the freight tracks should be nationalized.
What right do you (or anyone) have to steal the property that the rail lines own (or license)? I know you really like passenger trains but resorting to communism just to get you choo choo is a little extreme.
Let the private freight carriers actually compete against each other,
They already do on long hauls. On short hauls it is not financially feasible. (For example, the traffic to my town doesn't even support one rail line profitably let alone several)
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