January 6, 2017 - tpr.org - Shelley Koffler -

When the Lone Star Rail project fell apart last year, communities along I-35 were left looking for a new plan that would reduce travel time between San Antonio and Austin.  Now, they think they’ve found one.

It’s still about rail, but the vision is bigger than San Antonio to Austin.  And drivers who are “Stuck Behind the Wheel” hope it works.

City leaders from Austin to San Antonio had hoped the Lone Star Rail project would provide an alternative for commuters like Crawford.  Then, last year, Union Pacific which operates tracks along I-35 pulled out of the deal.

But San Antonio Council Member Ray Lopez wasn’t giving up. He chairs the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization which considers transportation projects for the region.

“We started a dialog with Amtrak.  Would you be willing to be our new catalytic partner? The answer for them is sure.”

Read more and audio report: http://tpr.org/post/stuck-behind-wheel-amtrak-studying-san-antonio-austin-commuter-service#stream/0