November 24, 2025 - TRA Commentary -

Why does the first ever Texas Department of Transportation plan for a statewide transit network have to be "an admirable long shot" as one Texas newspaper editorial recently commented? 

While other states are contracting in population and losing their business and industrial base, Texas continues to boom in economic prosperity. As more people move to the Lone Star state, it will require expanded public transportation options for urban, regional and intercity travel in, around and between our cities. 

Unless, of course, you just want more highways, wider highways, more traffic congestion, more construction delays.

TxDOT recently released the draft of its Texas Statewide Multimodal Transit Plan (SMTP) 2050, a comprehensive strategy to expand the state’s transportation infrastructure over the next 25 years. The plan is expected to be finalized and presented to the Texas Transportation Commission in the 1st quarter of 2026.

After that, it will be up to Texas lawmakers to push the SMTP forward or punt it down the road and wait until we reach a crisis level in moving people and goods throughout the state. 

Rail and bus hubs to connect our small, medium and urban megacenters will take years to plan and build. We must start now.

Avocates have been sounding the alarm bells for several decades.

Texas is growing. Fast. 

In the 30 years from 2020 to 2050, demographic projections expect a 40% increase in population. That's over 40 million Texans by 2050. 

The Statewide Multimodal Transit Plan indicates we will need to make substantial investments starting NOW. If we don't you can expect mounting congestion costs that will impact businesses and you, the driver on our highways. 

The scale of required investment is substantial. Texas will need to invest billions over the next 25 years.

Previous surveys, like the I-35 Corridor Advisory Study show that a majority of Texans want more trains between our cities and are willing to use our tax dollars to do it. 

Make your elected and appointed officials at the local, regional, state and federal level aware of your needs.

This is the moment.

Learn about the SMTP:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyUXvRymMSk

Here's the draft plan: https://ftp.txdot.gov/pub/txdot/get-involved/ptn/SMTP/102025-draft-plan.pdf

Let your elected Texas state representative and state senator know you support the SMTP. https://wrm.capitol.texas.gov/home

Photo credit: Trinity Metro