May 30, 2017 - TRA Newswire -
Holly Reed, Managing Director for External Affairs at Texas Central Railway, announced that work on the Dallas to Houston bullet train project remains at "high speed". Reed, in a news release, stated that "we have not and will not slow down the progress being made every day. That work now only intensifies, and we are ever more passionate about it. I want to salute everyone who contributed to all the hard work done in Austin on so many important topics, including transportation. The intense 140-day session requires much dedication and sacrifice. Our congratulations to Speaker Joe Straus, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Gov. Greg Abbott for their accomplishments this session, including passage of two bills concerning the bullet train. With the regular legislative session behind us, we look forward to announcing new milestones as we achieve them."
One of the two bills that passed the Texas House and Senate and were sent to Governor Greg Abbott for his signature is to make sure that there are safety and security protocols in place for high speed trains. The other bill specifies that the state will not allocate any funds for a private entity that wants to build and operate a high speed railroad. Texas Central has repeatedly stated that they would not accept any state funds.
Reed, in her statement said "You have heard me say it before, the Texas Bullet Train is the right project being done the right way at the right time. We took time in the Capitol to share details of the project with lawmakers, their staff and leaders from across the state, focusing on doing it the right way – the “Texas Way". The “Texas Way” means this project will be the SAFEST way to travel in the world, built and operated based on data-driven decisions from free market principles and no state appropriations. The two bills that were approved are rooted in that – safety and fiscal responsibility. "One of the two bills that passed the Texas House and Senate and were sent to Governor Greg Abbott for his signature is to make sure that there are safety and security protocols in place for high speed trains. The other bill specifies that the state will not allocate any funds for a private entity that wants to build and operate a high speed railroad. Texas Central has repeatedly stated that they would not accept any state funds.
The statement goes on to say that "Texas is proving again to be a leader in transportation, and the Railroad is proud to be a part of that. The Texas Bullet Train remains a key tool in the state’s infrastructure tool box as a safe, reliable and environmentally friendly option that efficiently will move our growing population. As Senate bills 977 and 975 become law, we credit the speaker, lieutenant governor and governor for their leadership and support of fiscal conservatism and safety, as well as the bill authors – Senators Birdwell and Schwertner and Representatives Ashby and Schubert", according to Reed. "We look forward to our continued work with the Department of Homeland Security, the Transportation Security Administration, the Federal Railroad Administration, the Texas Department of Public Safety and other government and law enforcement agencies as the system’s safety and security plan moves ahead."
Holly Reed, Managing Director for External Affairs at Texas Central Railway, announced that work on the Dallas to Houston bullet train project remains at "high speed". Reed, in a news release, stated that "we have not and will not slow down the progress being made every day. That work now only intensifies, and we are ever more passionate about it. I want to salute everyone who contributed to all the hard work done in Austin on so many important topics, including transportation. The intense 140-day session requires much dedication and sacrifice. Our congratulations to Speaker Joe Straus, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Gov. Greg Abbott for their accomplishments this session, including passage of two bills concerning the bullet train. With the regular legislative session behind us, we look forward to announcing new milestones as we achieve them."
One of the two bills that passed the Texas House and Senate and were sent to Governor Greg Abbott for his signature is to make sure that there are safety and security protocols in place for high speed trains. The other bill specifies that the state will not allocate any funds for a private entity that wants to build and operate a high speed railroad. Texas Central has repeatedly stated that they would not accept any state funds.
Reed, in her statement said "You have heard me say it before, the Texas Bullet Train is the right project being done the right way at the right time. We took time in the Capitol to share details of the project with lawmakers, their staff and leaders from across the state, focusing on doing it the right way – the “Texas Way". The “Texas Way” means this project will be the SAFEST way to travel in the world, built and operated based on data-driven decisions from free market principles and no state appropriations. The two bills that were approved are rooted in that – safety and fiscal responsibility. "One of the two bills that passed the Texas House and Senate and were sent to Governor Greg Abbott for his signature is to make sure that there are safety and security protocols in place for high speed trains. The other bill specifies that the state will not allocate any funds for a private entity that wants to build and operate a high speed railroad. Texas Central has repeatedly stated that they would not accept any state funds.
The statement goes on to say that "Texas is proving again to be a leader in transportation, and the Railroad is proud to be a part of that. The Texas Bullet Train remains a key tool in the state’s infrastructure tool box as a safe, reliable and environmentally friendly option that efficiently will move our growing population. As Senate bills 977 and 975 become law, we credit the speaker, lieutenant governor and governor for their leadership and support of fiscal conservatism and safety, as well as the bill authors – Senators Birdwell and Schwertner and Representatives Ashby and Schubert", according to Reed. "We look forward to our continued work with the Department of Homeland Security, the Transportation Security Administration, the Federal Railroad Administration, the Texas Department of Public Safety and other government and law enforcement agencies as the system’s safety and security plan moves ahead."