Dive Brief:
- A new, dedicated passenger rail line between Austin and San Antonio, Texas, would cost an estimated $13.5 billion, according to a Travis County-commissioned feasibility study released Thursday.
- The study, prepared by HNTB, an architectural and construction firm, recommended a route largely along Interstate 10 and State Highway 130, with potential terminals at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and downtown San Antonio's Alamodome.
- Commuter-style, 125-mph trains, such as those used on the Brightline Florida railroad, could make the end-to-end trip in 55 to 65 minutes, according to the study.
Dive Insight:
The only daily passenger rail connection between Austin and San Antonio is an Amtrak train that operates along a freight railroad, with a scheduled travel time of more than 2.5 hours. It often takes longer, as the train runs on time just 56% of the time, according to Amtrak’s 2024 host railroad report card.
The study suggests acquiring six train sets at a cost of $360 million, which is included in the top-line number. Operations and maintenance facilities would cost about $300 million to build. Annual operating and maintenance costs are estimated at $140 million to $190 million in 2026 dollars.
To move forward, the HNTB study recommends concluding agreements with the Texas Department of Transportation and other government agencies for use of the highway corridors and conducting a market analysis for ridership and revenues. It should also start environmental reviews and determine funding options, including federal grants, local funding and possible public-private partnerships.
