Potential Development of an Intercity Passenger Transit System in Texas

Project Description

Population growth in Texas will create increased demand for intercity travel. Economic constraints place limits on the degree to which airline and roadway travel capacity can be added to the transportation system, so additional solutions are needed to meet that growing demand. The potential development of an intercity transit system, involving both bus and rail transportation, represents one such solution. TTI researchers examined the existing systems of intercity bus, rail and airline transportation, and then evaluated 18 intercity corridors, ranking them using criteria based on current and projected population and demographics, intercity travel demand and intercity travel capacity. In addition to these criteria, the research team examined how political and geographic interests would also influence the eventual determination of priority corridors. Study findings suggested that the highest ranking corridors were from Dallas-Fort Worth to San Antonio and D-FW to Houston. Next in priority were links between West Texas and the Panhandle to D-FW, converging with an Abilene-D-FW link. Houston-San Antonio and Houston-Austin followed. The remaining corridors essentially were equal in their rankings. Study results suggest that improved intercity bus service for some links would be beneficial until bus ridership grows enough to support rail service along some or all of those routes. Findings were consistent with previous TTI studies on passenger rail. The state faces continued challenges due to growing transportation needs and diminishing transportation funding, so the need to invest limited resources wisely has become increasingly more urgent. This study offers TxDOT one valuable tool to help make its investment decisions wisely.

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