October 28, 2025 - TRA Newswire -

Do you want to see our spread-apart Texas cities connected by intercity rail and intercity bus service, among other modes of transportation?

If so, the Texas Department of Transportations wants to know do you want it, do you need it, will you use it. 

This is the first time in the history of TxDOT that such a deep-dive is being done to determine if we need more than just highways to get around. Your opinions are important and you only have a limited time to have your comments registered in this state-wide fact-finding public survey.

It's called the Statewide Multimodal Transit Plan (SMTP). And it could shape how Texans travel in the future. 

According to TxDOT, with input from stakeholders and communities across the state, the plan presents a “coordinated, unified vision for multimodal transportation priorities through 2050 and beyond.” The SMTP included transit such as buses, trains, ferries, and on-demand rideshare.

You can go to one of the in-person public meetings shown below or voice your choice for transportation online.

Or you can participate in the virtual public meeting here: https://www.txdot.gov/projects/hearings-meetings/public-transportation/2025/texas-statewide-multimodal-transit-plan-102025.html

Public comments on the draft plan may be submitted in the following ways:

• Email: PTN_Plans@txdot.gov
• Mail:
  TxDOT Public Transportation Division
  Attn: SMTP
  1949 S I-35 Frontage Rd., Suite 105
  Austin, TX 78741
• Online: submit your comment 
  online
   https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/F6RQFQN
• In-person at the public meeting comment station
• Voicemail or text: ‪512-956-7123

Draft plan content and a public survey will be available online beginning on Oct. 20, 2025 by 5 p.m. All comments must be received on or before Nov. 20, 2025 to be included in the official meeting record.

Think we need more lanes or more trains?

Look how many Texans travel on an average weekday.