September 9, 2024 - TRA Newswire - 

On the morning of September 23rd, members of the Texas Passenger Rail Advisory Committee (TPRAC) and invited guests will be meeting aboard Amtrak's Texas Eagle between San Antonio and Austin while they discuss expansion of intercity passenger rail service on the I-35 travel corridor.

The meeting, and a subsequent news conference when the train arrives at the Amtrak station in Austin, is co-hosted by Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai, Travis County Judge Andy Brown and San Antonio Council Member Melissa Cabello Havrda. 

Also aboard will be Nuevo Leon Governor Samuel Garcia and other international special guests.

Travis County Judge Brown, in a statement, said that "it's a unique opportunity to connect leaders from Texas and Mexico and highlight the collaborative efforts to expand freight and passenger rail services."

The passenger rail advisory committee and invited elected and appointed officials will depart from the San Antonio Amtrak station at 350 Hoefgen Street at 6:48am, arriving in Austin at 9:14am at the Amtrak Austin station, located at 250 N Lamar Boulevard. Following the train's arrival, a press conference will be held to highlight the need of expanding passenger rail service along the I-35 corridor, which is frequently at capacity and will be subject to major construction work for years to come. 

"This ride also offers us a chance to assess the route and discuss the benefits of expanding passenger rail in Central Texas", according to Judge Brown. The onboard meeting hopes to draw many regional elected officials to examine the route. 

TPRAC will be urging the Texas Legislature to allocate $300 million for rail improvements through the Texas Rail Relocation and Improvement Fund. The committee is circulating a letter of support that will be submitted to the state legislature, ahead of the biannual session that starts in January 2025.

Graphic Credit: TPRAC