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South Central Corridor Conference

The 2009 Conference was held January 15 & 16 at the Sheraton in downtown Dallas. More info can be found at the 2009 Conference Web page! We should have all the presentations and videos up in a week or two.

The Looming Transportation Crisis in North Texas

Surface transportation infrastructure investment must be made in order to maintain the quality of life of North Texas citizens and sustain our North Texas economy. The North Texas Commission has prepared a Power Point presentation on passenger rail expansion. Follow this link to the section named The Looming Transportation Crisis and view the Passenger Rail Expansion presentation. www.ntc-dfw.org

By road, rail and air from Dallas to Austin

(June 14, 2008) Dallas - They went by air, by road and by rail. The Dallas Morning News sent four reporters on a trip from Dallas to Austin to see how long it takes, what hassles you have to go through and what a trip would cost. For comfort, the train was crowned king. For actual rail fare, it was cheap. For time, it was dead last.

Again, because of inaction by our state and federal legislators, we are stuck with few transportation choices in an era of rising costs and congestion. When will Austin and Washington wake up to developing a dynamic passenger and freight rail system for our citizens?

For more on Dallas Morning News writer Jake Batsell's trip on the Amtrak Texas Eagle, follow this link for the story and a video: www.dallasnews.com/video/index.html?nvid=254127

Increased Texas Rail Service

With Texans facing gridlock on the highways, “winglock” in the air, and an enhanced need for transportation options as another hurricane season develops, the Texas Association of Rail Passengers (TXARP) and the Texas Rail Advocates (TRA) detailed today how a recent proposal by the National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP) could expand and modernize passenger train travel in Texas and around the nation... <Link to Full Press Release>.

Two Texas Regional Council of Governments signed on for passenger rail service

"Today a tree has been planted." With those words Michael Morris, Transportation Director for the North Central Texas Council of Governments announced that a passenger rail pact was signed between the Dallas-Fort Worth multi-county regional government agency and the East Texas Council of Governments.

The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding was signed at the recently restored Mineola, Texas Amtrak station on Wednesday, August 7 with 75 County judges, transportation officials, civic representatives and rail advocates present to what some of the officials called a historic document.

"Through this effort, we hope to be able to enhance the funding of transportation that affects not only this region, but also the North Central Texas region," said Chad Adams, Ellis County judge. "If (high speed rail) stopped at the county line or region, it would be ineffective." The councils now look for congressional support to support passenger train service and upgrading of freight rail goods movement between the Texas two regions and beyond.

South Central Corridor Garners Rail Industry Support

Two rail organizations have offered their support for the initial study of the South Central High Performance Rail Corridor. The Texas Shortline & Regional Railroad Association and the Texas Alliance of Rail Districts both issued letters that call for a study and upgrade to the rail corridor that runs through Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. In his letter, Steven P. George, President of the Texas Shortline and... [ see full article in the blog ]

TRA Conference Brochure on the South Central High Performance Rail Corridor

Case for the Corridor

The Case for the South Central High Performance Rail Corridor by Frederick Plous.

TxDOT Rail System Plan

Learn about TxDOT’s Texas Rail System Plan.

Which State still needs the combined support of the Governor, Legislature and citites for future rail development?

TRA Monthly Meetings

The next TRA Meeting will be March 4th, at the Center for Non-Profit Management, 2900 Live Oak St., Dallas, TX 75204, near downtown Dallas. The meeting is an open meeting and rail advocates are encouraged to participate. The meeting will start at 6:30pm and usually lasts about an hour.

Meeting schedule for the rest of the year: April 1st, May 6th, June 3rd, July 1st, August 5th, September 2nd, October 7th, November 4th.

TRA Press Release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Texas Rail Advocates
(214) 803-7285
Website: www.SWRailConf.org

Deputy Federal RR Administrator Karen Rae to address Texas Rail Advocates in Dallas Jan. 29

Dallas (January 14, 2010) – Deputy Federal Railroad Administrator Karen Rae will be the featured speaker Jan. 29 when Texas Rail Advocates (TRA) holds its 6thAnnual Southwestern Rail Conference at the Magnolia Hotel in Dallas.

Ms. Rae, who formerly headed the transit system in Austin, Tex., plays a leading role in the development of the Obama Adminstration’s historic program to create a national high-speed and intercity passenger rail system. Last spring, President Obama announced $8 billion for the program as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The awards, which cover new corridor projects as well as smaller projects and planning, will be announced this winter.

“TRA is very proud to be hosting Dep. Adm. Rae here in Texas at this exciting time for passenger rail,” said TRA President Peter LeCody. “Her 30 years of service in local, state and federal transportation policymaking makes her the ideal spokesman for President Obama’s passenger-rail program. She’s served in the Departments of Transportation in New York and Pennsylvania, and as director of the Virginia Department of Rail she helped develop commuter-rail service.”

Joining Deputy Director Rae at the conference will be the executive directors from the Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas departments of transportation, the Honorable Ruth Jones McClendon, who serves on the Texas House Transportation Committee; John Horsley, executive director of the American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials (AASHTO); and executives from Union Pacific Corp. and BNSF Railway.

Although Texas was not one of the applicants for first-round ARRA passenger rail funding, it recently took a giant step toward developing its own passenger-rail program, LeCody said.

“TxDOT has established a dedicated Rail Division, hired a former railroader as director and retained a distinguished consultant to develop a statewide passenger rail plan,” he said.

The new director, Bill Glavin, and the consultant, Dr. C. Michael Walton of the University of Texas at Austin, will be appearing at the conference.

The two designated higher-speed passenger rail corridors in Texas are the South Central (which combines Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas sections) and the Gulf Coastcorridor, which stretches from Houston to New Orleans. Both have federal designation for faster passenger and freight rail development, but received little attention until passage of the ARRA.

Other presenters at the conference include John Helsley from the Texas Alliance of Rail Districts, who will show how rural and urban rail districts have had a positive economic impact in growing jobs and businesses in Texas; and former Amtrak Chairman John Robert Smith, now CEO of Reconnecting America. Smith will discuss how to integrate transportation systems and the communities they serve.

- - - - - - - -

About the Sixth Annual Southwestern Rail Conference

It is the only all-rail conference held each year in Texas, hosted by Texas Rail Advocates, a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit membership organization that advocates development of passenger and freight rail service in the state and the Southwest.

Amtrak Board: Lets talk about expansion plans in Texas

Texas Rail Advocates News Release
(December 11, 2009)

This week the Amtrak Board of Directors authorized negotiations with the Union Pacific Railroad, for daily train service to be extended from San Antonio to Los Angeles and eastward to Houston and New Orleans.

At present there is only tri-weekly train service between New Orleans / Houston / San Antonio / El Paso / Los Angeles. The Texas Eagle, which originates in Chicago and serves many Texas cities daily would be extended to offer direct daily service to westward intermediate points such as El Paso, Tucson, Maricopa (Phoenix) and Palm Springs.
This would mark the first time in decades that this route would offer daily service.

For the rail segment of the current Sunset Limited passenger rail route between San Antonio, Houston and New Orleans, a new daily train would be established, with regular coach and a first class coach service, along with a food service car. Other cities to be served would include Beaumont, Texas, Lake Charles and Lafayette, Louisiana.

There is no information as to when this service will commence, and on what schedules the two trains will operate.

Amtrak service East of New Orleans to popular Florida destinations was suspended after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Four years later, Amtrak still offers no time frame to restore passenger service, even through the tracks on which it ran were restored back to operating condition.

TxDOT Names Its First Rail Division Director

(November 23, 2009) - Austin
In a news release today, Amadeo Saenz, Executive Director of the Texas Department of Transportation announced that the newly formed Rail Division now has a leader. The new Rail Division will allow Texas to catch up with other states that have been far ahead in developing passenger rail corridors and improving the flow of freight rail traffic.

His prepared comments follow:

I am pleased to announce the appointment of William "Bill" Glavin, P.E., as the Director of the Rail Division, effective December 1, 2009.

Bill comes to TxDOT with more than 30 years experience in the rail industry, including stints with Burlington Northern Railroad, North American RailNet and, most recently, as a consultant with RVBA and Associates. Bill earned his bachelor's degree in biology in 1975 from Johns Hopkins University and his bachelor's in civil engineering from Michigan State University in 1977. After graduation from MSU, he went to work for Burlington Northern as a corporate management trainee and rose through the ranks to eventually become system chief engineer and general manager of strategic network design, where he was responsible for short- and long-term planning and budgets.

Bill became licensed professional engineer in Wisconsin in 1981 and became licensed in Texas upon his arrival in 1991.

Bill has two children - Amy, 21, a senior at Dallas Baptist University; and Lauren, 19, a sophomore at Baylor University.

Creation of the Rail Division will consolidate the department's major rail responsibilities - planning, inspection, at-grade rail crossings, management of the South Orient Railroad and rail public transit - under a single division.

Please join me in welcoming Bill to the TxDOT family.

Amadeo Saenz

FRA Administrator: Who gets the Fed's High Speed $$ and When

STATEMENT FROM FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION (FRA) ADMINISTRATOR JOSEPH C. SZABO, October 6, 2009

"We have received numerous applications from states and groups of states for the development of high-speed and intercity passenger rail programs for grant funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. These include 45 applications from 24 states totaling approximately $50 billion to advance high-speed rail corridor programs. We also received 214 applications from 34 states totaling $7 billion for corridor planning and smaller projects.

"Due to the overwhelming response and our desire to lay the groundwork for a truly national high-speed and intercity passenger rail program, we will be announcing all awards this winter. Our selections will be merit-based and will reflect President Obama's vision to remake America's transportation landscape. We look forward to further evaluating these proposals and spurring economic development while providing Americans with clean, energy-efficient transportation choices in the years and decades to come."

TXDOT Rail Division Director

Dallas - August 9, 2009 - The Texas Department of Transportation is scouting for a Director to lead a newly created Rail Division, a first for the state agency. This newly created and staffed division should put Texas on a faster track for development of passenger rail services and improving the flow of freight rail traffic throughout the state.

The push for a Rail Divison at TxDOT started back in 2000 with Texas Rail Advocates, a grass-roots non profit organization based in Dallas. States such as North Carolina, Wisconsin, Illinois, California, Washington and others developed plans for higher speed and frequent passenger rail service while Texas concentrated on more highway projects. The fact that Texas contains more railroad miles than any other state in the country and lacked full oversight and a vision helped pave the way for advancing a Rail Division program.

Most recently, state legislators voiced concern that Texas was falling behind other states in the development of rail services and legislation was proposed under the TxDOT Sunset Review in create a Rail Division. While the transportation department's review did not happen before the end of the recent legislative session, the Texas Transportation Commission was briefed this year on what a potential rail division would encompass and Commissioners voiced support for rail as a multi-modal solution.

The board of Texas Rail Advocates sees the search for a Rail Division Director as a key step in moving our state forward on both passenger and freight rail development.

For additional information - conact:

Peter LeCody, President
Texas Rail Advocates
214-803-7285
Peter@TexasRailAdvocates.org

The text of the position requistion for Director, Rail Division can be found on the TXDOT Employment web site at:

www.dot.state.tx.us/employment/alljvns/jvn013707.htm

Heartland Flyer turns 10

Amtrak's Heartland Flyer celebrated 10 years of daily service between Fort Worth and Oklahoma City on Saturday, June 13 with a celebration at the Oklahoma City station.

The Flyer is a joint effort of the Texas Department of Transportation, Oklahoma DOT and Amtrak and runs on BNSF Railway lines between the two cities. The service continues to increase in ridership and revenue and is one of the most highly rated corridor trains as in Amtrak's customer service satisfaction reports. The Heartland Flyer Coalition, a grass-roots volunteer organization, has been a dynamic force in promoting the rail service.

Texas on board for high-speed rail efforts

(June 1, 2009)
From Texas Department of Transportation
Keep Texas Moving e-newsletter

High-speed rail could gain traction in Texas with several state and federal efforts.

President Obama recently introduced a plan to build a nationwide high-speed rail system, with two routes in Texas. The plan would tap $8 billion from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, as well as $5 billion from the federal budget over the next five years. The Federal Railroad Administration plans to award its first round of grants this summer.

The first round of funding would focus on ready-to-go projects, and a second round would call for comprehensive proposals that encompass entire corridors or significant sections. Additional grants would provide start-up funding to plan corridors that are not ready for construction.

The proposed corridors crossing Texas include the South Central Corridor, which would link Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio, Texarkana, Oklahoma City and Tulsa; and the Gulf Coast Corridor connecting Houston with New Orleans, Mobile and other cities in the Southeast. The Texas Legislature is considering several bills that would position the state to access the federal funds. One would create a government corporation to develop and seek funding for a high-speed rail system for Texas. Another would offer tax breaks for private rail builders, and an additional bill would create a rail division at the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to increase focus on passenger rail.

The Texas Legislature is considering several bills that would position the state to access the federal funds. One would create a government corporation to develop and seek funding for a high-speed rail system for Texas. Another would offer tax breaks for private rail builders, and an additional bill would create a rail division at the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to increase focus on passenger rail.

PRESIDENT OBAMA ANNOUNCES A VISION FOR HIGH SPEED RAIL IN THE U.S.

Details are available on the Federal Railroad Administration website at http://www.fra.dot.gov/us/content/44

Note that there are TWO higher speed rail corridors in Texas that are key components in this proposal.
Additional information and map of the corridor are available at www.texasrailadvocates.org near the bottom of the homepage. Download the brochure at http://texasrailadvocates.org/Conf-Jan-2006/brochure/brochure-small.pdf

(The following from the FRA Website):
A Vision for HighSpeed Rail in America
Highlights of Strategic Plan
April 16, 2009
This plan outlines the President’s vision to build a network of high-speed rail corridors cross America. It is the first high-speed rail requirement under the American Recovery nd Reinvestment Act 0f 2009 (ARRA).

VISION—Proposal is to transform the nation’s transportation system, by rebuilding existing rail infrastructure while launching new high-speed passenger rail services in 100-600 mile corridors that connect U.S. communities. Similar to how interstate highways and U.S. aviation system were developed in 20th century: partnership between public sector and private industry, including strong Federal leadership that provided a national vision.

OBAMA ADMINISTRATION IS MOVING AHEAD OF SCHEDULE TO STAND UP THIS NEW PROGRAM—Strategic rail plan issued just 58 days after passage of ARRA, before the Congressional deadline. Application procedures expected to be published also before Congressional deadline—this spring. First round grant awards expected to be announced before the end of this summer, up to three years ahead of the schedule required by law.

COMMITMENT TO HIGHSPEED RAIL—Unprecedented $8 billion investment in high-speed rail: $8 billion in ARRA considered a down payment on a national network of corridors, along with $1 billion per year for at least 5 years (proposed in FY 2010 budget). Completion of vision will require long-term commitment from both the Federal Government and States.

BENEFITS OF HIGHSPEED RAIL—Promotes economic expansion (including new manufacturing jobs), creates new choices for travelers in addition to flying or driving, reduces national dependence on oil, and fosters urban and rural community development.

HIGHSPEED RAIL IS GREEN— Today’s intercity passenger rail service consumes one-third less energy per passenger-mile than cars. It is estimated that if we built high speed rail lines on all federally-designated corridors (on map), it could result in an annual reduction of 6 billion po
1unds of CO2. o TRANSPARENT APPROACH—projects selected for funding based on merit/benefits of investment.

High Speed Rail Vision

Ten major corridors are being identified for potential high-speed rail projects

Also, opportunities exist for the Northeast Corridor (Washington, Baltimore, Wilmington, Philadelphia, Newark, New York City, New Haven, Providence, Boston) to compete for funds for improvements to the nation’s only existing high-speed rail service, and for establishment and upgrades to passenger rail services in other parts of the country.

OUTREACH—Administration will take a collaborative approach to formulate program; will work with stakeholders to gather feedback on strategic plan and help shape the program.

More Info is at:

http://www.c-span.org/Watch/watch.aspx?ProgramId=HP-A-41630

http://cbs11tv.com/local/high.speed.rail.2.987012.htm

BNSF chief talks about passenger rail

From Fort Worth Star-Telegram, April 1, 2009

WASHINGTON — BNSF Railway’s CEO Matt Rose testified Wednesday before Congress, but not about freight rail issues. The chairman of the Fort Worth-based rail company spoke about the future of high-speed passenger rail at a hearing of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development. "As a freight railroad CEO, a member of the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission, and an early supporter of the One Rail coalition, I’ve had a lot of opportunity to think about what our country’s vision for passenger rail ought to be," he told lawmakers. Here are some excerpts from his prepared testimony before the subcommittee, headed by Rep. John Olver, D-Mass.

"It is possible to increase speeds from 79 mph to 90 mph on tracks that both freight and passenger trains use."

"At sustained speeds in excess of 90 mph, passenger train operations will need to be segregated from freight operations on separate track."

"It took $4-a-gallon gas to show us that passenger train options are important to providing a fuel-efficient alternative to the highway for millions of Americans."

— Maria Recio

Stimulus/Recovery Update

Amtrak passenger train stations in Texas will benefit from $2,665,000 in improvements as part of a national share of transportation upgrades through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Complete details can be found at

Of significance: the Beaumont, Texas station (or lack of a station since it has only been a concrete slab with no amenities nearby) will receive $1,250,00 for a station and platform along with $14,000 for mobility improvements. Many other Texas Amtrak train stations will benefit from the stimulus funds that include bringing the stations up to ADA compliance.

A list of projects from the Amtrak site:

• TX Non-NEC Wireless Access points for Field Operations at Fort Worth, EL Paso $105,000 PRJ29110026
• TX Static Station Signage Program: platform kiosks at 4 Texas stations; general signage/re-branding at Austin and Longview Stations $94,000 PRJ29110081
• TX Mobility First: Alpine TX $9,000 PRJ29110113
• TX Mobility First: New wheelchair lift and enclosure in Austin TX; Improvements to walkway over out-of-service tracks; New curb cut from parking to platform; Repainting accessible parking stalls $33,000 PRJ29110113
• TX Mobility First: Beaumont TX $14,000 PRJ29110113
• TX Mobility First: New wheelchair lift and enclosure in Cleburne TX; New pad for lift and sidewalk to platform; Repair to brick platform and station sidewalk $33,000 PRJ29110113
• TX Mobility First: New wheelchair lift and enclosure in Del Rio TX $30,000 PRJ29110113
• TX Mobility First: New wheelchair lift and enclosure in El Paso TX $30,000 PRJ29110113
• TX Mobility First: New wheelchair lifts and enclosures in Fort Worth TX $48,000 PRJ29110113
• TX Mobility First: New wheelchair lift and enclosure in Gainesville TX; Modifications to metal fence to accommodate enclosure $30,000 PRJ29110113
• TX Mobility First: New wheelchair lift and enclosure in Houston TX; Improvements to walkway to center platform $33,000 PRJ29110113
• TX Mobility First: New wheelchair lifts in Longview TX $14,000 PRJ29110113
• TX Mobility First: New wheelchair lift and enclosure in Marshall TX; Repairs to existing lift at stairs $57,000 PRJ29110113
• TX Mobility First: New wheelchair lift and enclosure in McGregor TX; New pad for lift and sidewalk to platform; New sidewalk and curb cut from parking to platform; New accessible parking stalls $93,000 PRJ29110113
• TX Mobility First: New wheelchair lift and enclosure in Mineola TX $30,000 PRJ29110113
  TX Mobility First: New wheelchair lift and enclosure in San Antonio TX; Repairs to sidewalk from parking to platform $30,000 PRJ29110113
• TX Mobility First: New wheelchair lift and enclosure in San Marcos TX; New pad for lift and sidewalk to platform $30,000 PRJ29110113
• TX Mobility First: New wheelchair lift and enclosure in Taylor TX; New pad for lift and sidewalk to platform; New sidewalk from parking to platform $65,000 PRJ29110113
• TX Mobility First: New wheelchair lift and enclosure in Temple TX; Improvements to sidewalk from station to platform $37,000 PRJ29110113
• TX Alpine TX Stations to receive a new ADA compliant, 550', 8" ATR concrete platform. $500,000 PRJ29116013
• TX Beaumont TX Station to receive a new ADA compliant Shelter Station Building and 550', 8" ATR concrete platform. $1,250,000 PRJ29116013
• TX Longview TX Station to receive a new ADA compliant tactile edge on existing concrete platforms $100,000 PRJ29116013

I-35 Corridor Advisory Council Report: Texas' Rail Future

(Austin) - October 12, 2008. The I-35 Corridor Advisory Committee report was presented to TxDOT officials Wednesday, October 12 and in it the report highly recommends rail improvements along the corridor. Other recommendations include developing a Task Force to take advantage of HR2095, the most far reaching federal legislation in decades for passenger intercity rail; establishing a Rail Division at TxDOT; capitalizing the Rail Relocation and Improvement Fund and establishing a dedicated source of funding for rail development.

Link to the Citizen's Report on the Current and Future Needs of the I-35 Corridor.

TRA to TXDOT: Create a Task Force for the South Central Rail Corridor and a Rail Division within TXDOT!

October 30, 2008 (Dallas) - In public comment given before the Texas Transportation Commission meeting in Dallas today, Texas Rail Advocates Executive Administrator Peter LeCody urged the Commissioners to implement a Task Force for development of the South Central Rail Corridor in the light of recently enacted federal legislation. TRA is also calling for the creation of a dedicated Rail Division within the Texas Department of Transportation so that it will be equipped to handle large scale rail projects in the future.

The text of LeCody's comments to the Commissioners follows:

Texas Rail Advocates is a non-profit organization educating the public and elected officials about the benefits of improved rail transportation in Texas and the Southwest. Our mission is to accelerate Texas's economic growth and enhance the quality of life enjoyed by its people by advancing the development of rail service to its full potential as a carrier of freight and passengers.

With the passage of HR2095 The Railroad Safety Enhancement Act, signed into law on October 16, 2008 by President Bush, a new era for passenger and freight rail development has begun for Texas. Language in the Act calls for development of the South Central and Gulf Coast Rail Corridors, which have been designated by the U.S. Department of Transportation as key rail transportation corridors in the country. The South Central Rail Corridor connects the social and economic spine of Texas with Oklahoma and Arkansas while the Gulf Coast Rail Corridor connects Houston and Southeast Texas easterly to New Orleans. There are provisions in the act for an 80% federal / 20% state match for rail corridor development. Texas will be competing with other rail corridors around the country for future funding. Therefore, Texas Rail Advocates urges the commission to establish a Task Force to develop a Corridor Development Action and Implementation Plan.

In order to meet the transportation challenges of tomorrow, Texas Rail Advocates also calls for the commission to establish a Rail Division within TxDOT, as other states have done, including Oklahoma and New Mexico. A Rail Division would be responsible for coordinating future higher speed passenger and freight rail development, safety initiatives, industrial access to rail services to help ensure that companies have the railroad tracks needed to transport freight and materials, track and station improvements, corridor preservation and responsibility for state safety oversight of transit agencies with rail-fixed guideway systems; including street cars and trolleys operated by other government bodies. A Rail Division could also coordinate projects from the Federal Transit Administration and Federal Railroad Administration to maximize any available federal funding. And a dedicated Rail Division would serve as the TxDOT liaison with private and public sector rail operators, rail shippers, communities and other stakeholders.

Passenger and freight rail will play a larger role in Texas' transportation future. Let's get there by laying the roundwork now. A Task Force for the Corridors now and a Rail Division for TxDOT sooner rather than later.

Rail MOU

In the spirit of the 139th anniversary of the joining together east and west of the Transcontinental Railroad at Promontory Summit, there took place an historic signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding on May 10th bringing together East Texas and North Central Texas Council of Governments with Northwest Louisiana Council of Governments.

Information on this historic event can be found at:
www.eastxcc.com/national_train_day

3rd Annual South Central High Performance Rail Corridor Conference

Our conference was held January 25-26, 2007, at the DFW International Airport Hyatt Regency Hotel. Click for a wrapup of the conference including presentatio materials and video streaming.

New York spending $60M for rail

The State of New York is providing $60M to improve rail infrastracture improvements. More in the blog.

Amtrak Chairman calls for passenger Service in Texas

AMTRAK Chairman David Laney, speaking in Austin on Friday, pointed out that both Florida and Texas are poised for explosive population growth in the next 30 years and that without a serious commitment for commercial rail growth, it is unacceptable from a transportation point of view. (continued)