Texas is looking for public comments on a rail study

Currently, TxDOT is seeking public comments on possible passenger rail connections between southeastern Texas and the Dallas/Fort Worth area and between Dallas/Fort Worth and Oklahoma City.  Of particular interest to me is a possible new rail line between San Antonio and McAllen. Other options use already existing rail, and in some cases involve improving the frequency and/or speed of existing passenger rail options.

TxDOT Public Comment Form Texas to Oklahoma Rail

If you are interested in passenger rail in either Texas or Oklahoma, please click on the above form before April 26, 1013.

You can also mail your comments to:

Mark Werner
TxDOT – RRD
125 E. 11^th St.
Austin, TX 78701

You can take the train to the Super Bowl (sort of)

Arlington, Texas is the largest city in the country that does not have a transit system, but that does not mean that you have to rent a car if you go to the Super Bowl. You can take the TRE (commuter rail) from either Dallas (Texas Eagle) or Fort Worth (Heartland Flyer, Texas Eagle) Amtrak Stations to CentrePort/DFW Airport Station. There will be multiple buses from that station. (If you must fly, there are multiple shuttles between the airport and the TRE station.) Just a bus ticket to and from CentrePort Station costs $20, but a four day transit pass costs $30. This gives you unlimited rides on Dallas buses and light rail, all TRE trains, the Molly Circulator, and "services from the T and DCTA" which I think are the special Super Bowl shuttles.

TRE is running extra trains  the day before the Super Bowl and the day of the Super Bowl. TRE will run on an ordinary weekday schedule, but will add extra cars.

Guide to Businesses near Light Rail

The Light Rail Network website has maps of businesses around light rail stations in multiple cities. There are also links to rail related news stories.