Tulsa needs to find a way to get Amtrak service

[Transport_Oklahoma]

Congress just passed a railroad bill(H.R. 2095) Wednesday night.

The bill addresses many critical topics facing the U.S. railroad system.  Senator Tom Coburn had been holding up the bill.  However concerns about rail safety because of last month's train collision in Los Angeles caused Senate leadership to schedule a cloture vote to circumvent his hold.

For the first time competitive grants are authorized to allow the states to match their own funds with federal dollars for track projects.

This will help facilitate further passenger rail development in Oklahoma.

Up until now, a state could count on getting as much as 4 federal dollars for each state dollar for approved highway projects while getting zero for intercity rail.

The bill addresses in a number of ways, Amtrak's on-time performance problem.  

The bill also directs the Federal Railroad Administration to develop a "Request for Proposals" to encourage private sector development of rail corridors.  

If Amtrak fails to improve the performance of its national system trains, the federal government could ask the owning private railroad to assume the operation of individual trains and be given the funding and equipment otherwise used by Amtrak.

By requiring the railroad industry to install "Positive Train Seperation" equipment, many stretches of track currently restricted to 79 mph may allow higher speeds, since the lack of cab signaling and train control is a prime reason trains are so restricted.  

Most of Amtrak's fleet is already certified for 100 mph+ operations.  Its the track and signals or lack thereof that hold it down.

[Red Arrow]

quote:Originally posted by Transport_Oklahoma

Congress just passed a railroad bill(H.R. 2095) Wednesday night.

The bill addresses many critical topics facing the U.S. railroad system.  Senator Tom Coburn had been holding up the bill.  However concerns about rail safety because of last month's train collision in Los Angeles caused Senate leadership to schedule a cloture vote to circumvent his hold.

For the first time competitive grants are authorized to allow the states to match their own funds with federal dollars for track projects.

This will help facilitate further passenger rail development in Oklahoma.

Up until now, a state could count on getting as much as 4 federal dollars for each state dollar for approved highway projects while getting zero for intercity rail.

The bill addresses in a number of ways, Amtrak's on-time performance problem.  

The bill also directs the Federal Railroad Administration to develop a "Request for Proposals" to encourage private sector development of rail corridors.  

If Amtrak fails to improve the performance of its national system trains, the federal government could ask the owning private railroad to assume the operation of individual trains and be given the funding and equipment otherwise used by Amtrak.

By requiring the railroad industry to install "Positive Train Seperation" equipment, many stretches of track currently restricted to 79 mph may allow higher speeds, since the lack of cab signaling and train control is a prime reason trains are so restricted.  

Most of Amtrak's fleet is already certified for 100 mph+ operations.  Its the track and signals or lack thereof that hold it down.

I've heard that the tracks between Tulsa and OKC need a LOT of improvement to get to approval for even 80 MPH. I'd like to see it happen but it appears to be more than a paperwork approval.

[Transport_Oklahoma]

ODOT's consultant recommended building a new alignment next to the Turner Turnpike from Sapulpa to around Jones if the goal is travel time below 2 hours and 15 minutes.  Upgraded existing trackage or rights of way would be used to access downtown Tulsa and Oklahoma City.

Such a project could be eligible for several of the new programs under the new railroad law, if the funds are actually appropriated.

[Conan71]

quote:Originally posted by Transport_Oklahoma

Congress just passed a railroad bill(H.R. 2095) Wednesday night.

No, the "Railroad Bill" was that train-load of suck known as the "Bailout".

[]

[PonderInc]

Come on Conan, don't "derail" this thread!

My concern is that it sounds like the State of Oklahoma (and all the little towns along the proposed line) wants to connect Amtrak service from OKC to Newton, KS...totally bypassing Tulsa.  This would effectively mean that Tulsa and the Tulsa metropolitan area would be footing half the state dollars, but wouldn't get any of the benefits.

Does the new federal bill change any of this for us?

[Transport_Oklahoma]

The federal legislation makes Tulsa intercity rail service more likely because the state would have a funding partner to upgrade track, improve signal systems, and build or restore stations.

Amtrak will also get funding to expand its fleet of passenger cars.

The carrier lacks the fleet to initiate all the trains the various states now want to run.

The Secretary of Transportation recently awarded these small grants to states for improvements and studies.  Note Missouri's grant.  Also note the Tuscon-Phoenix study.  Two sprawling cities of the sunbelt located about as far apart as Tulsa and Oklahoma City.  

If this becomes a Tulsa vs. OKC issue the likely result is no expansion anywhere.

I have seen some evidence that the Tulsa Chamber places more importance on OKC not getting more Amtrak service than Tulsa getting its first service.

There needs to be a unified plan with an iron clad law that guarantees funding for northeastern Oklahoma rail service, regardless of who gets expansion first.  

Such a bill was introduced in the House last year but couldn't get by the appropriations committee chairman from Edmond.

The OKC-Wichita-Kansas City connection and additional frequencies all have merit.  

So does getting Tulsa connected to the national system.  Service to Oklahoma City and the DFW metroplex will be of paramount importance, but service to Springfield and Saint Louis may actually be more affordable in the near term, besides offering superior access to the rest of America.

[PonderInc]

Thanks for the info, Transport!

[OurTulsa]

Swift rail between the two major markets in Oklahoma could be significant.  I'm thinking in terms of connecting the markets.  I would hope that we could shoot not just for basic at best service but superior service such that it could be reasonable for me to suggest going to OKC for an evening show and being back in Tulsa by that night without ever having to get in a car...and it would work in the opposite direction.  Those in OKC would have the option of hopping on a quick rail ride up to Tulsa for a show or event or a night out.  I am really hopeful that we can shorten the time between the two cities such that we really could consider ourselves part of one market.  
I think we've got a significant friend of rail in the House now with the election of Seneca Scott...

Personally, I don't mind Oklahoma attempting to connect existing rail to the north through Wichita.  But on a map it makes less sense than providing a connection up through Tulsa onward to KC and St. Louis (via Springfield).  You connect more people that way.  ...Maybe it's an attempt to establish some sort of minor rail hub in OKC such that one would have to converge on OKC in this region in order to move by rail toward other regions...thereby pre-empting such a hub in Tulsa where two trains daily would come through from KC and St.L...just a conspiratorial thought.

[PonderInc]

I agree.

[Transport_Oklahoma]

Did a little web research on Mr. Scott and yes it sounds like there may be another friend of rail for Tulsa there to join Mr. Wescott.

Anybody know any other officials who might actively help?

[TheArtist]

What would the estimated average, daily ridership numbers be for a Tulsa to OKC line versus a Tulsa to BA line be? And what are the costs of each?

From what I could find the Heartland flyer, from OKC to Fort Worth,,,whose ridership has been way up due to the higher oil prices, has averaged around 400 a day lately at best. I would expect the daily ridership from Tulsa to OKC to be a bit less. I know there were some ridership estimates for the Tulsa to BA line but cant find them at the moment. But from what I am guessing, the BA to Tulsa line would be used by a looot more people.

 If the state insists that it would take about 250 mill to do the line through Tulsa.  I would at least say, ok, we wont put up a big stink if you want to do the other line... IF you let us have 100mill for the commuter line IN Tulsa.  

Just thinking about whats going to cost less and also be more useful to more people. And a commuter line could help spur TOD development in Tulsa. Seems to me to be more economically advantagious to Tulsa and would make Tulsa a more attractive place to live. If we could afford to do both, great. But if money is a bit tight, I would choose to invest in the commuter line at this point.

[Transport_Oklahoma]

Why insist on mixing the intercity and commuter rail issues up?

They both need to happen.

Sure they both use the same technology, but the markets and needs society is trying to service are different.

The available federal funding comes from different sources with differing requirements.

Comparing ridership between the two is comparing apples to oranges.  

Carrying 400 weekday commuters between B.A. and Tulsa would generate about 16,000 daiy passenger miles worth of transportation value for the taxpayer.  

Carrying 400 intercity and commuter passengers between Oklahoma City and Tulsa would generate 96,000 passenger miles worth of societal transportation value.