CALL TO ACTION: Protect High Speed Rail Projects in Texas

NARP and Texas Rail Advocates (TRA) are urging members to take action TODAY to ensure that a proposed high-speed rail by Texas Central Railway (TCR) between Dallas and Houston remains an option to address transportation needs across the state.

How can you help? First, contact Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and state Sen. Jane Nelson today and tell them to remove Rider 48 from Article 7 in the Senate Appropriations Bill 48. Rider 48 is bad public policy that places government in the role of picking business winners and losers in the state's transportation industry.

Rob Orr in the office of State Senator Jane Nelson - District 12

(512) 463-0112

[email protected]

Twitter: @SenJaneNelson



Lt. Governor Dan Patrick

(512) 463-0001

[email protected]

Twitter: @DanPatrick

In its current form, the bill puts limitations on expenditures for high-speed rail. It reads: “None of the funds appropriated to the Department of Transportation from state funds may be used for the purposes of subsidizing or assisting in the construction of high-speed passenger rail. For the purposes of this section, high-speed rail means intercity passenger rail service that is reasonably expected to reach speeds of at least 110 miles per hour.”


If enacted, this language would prevent the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) from working with TCR to:

• Design and develop the proposed Dallas station adjacent to or over I-30 and the proposed Houston station;

• Coordinate on design for overpass when the line crosses a state or federal highway;

• Find connectivity and land access solutions for landowners; and

• Prevent TxDOT for participating in the entire entry into service (EIS) process (which Texas Central Railway is already paying for).


Taking action today is urgent, since a decision on the fate of high-speed rail in Texas could be announced as early as today. Elected officials need to hear from you by voicing your support of this vital infrastructure project today. We thank you for your support of this important effort.