Save Oklahoma Mass Transit Rail Infrastructure

[Double A]

Help! We Need to Stop the Crosstown Expressway!!
   
Rep. Wallace Collins, Norman, asks that we write Governor Henry
http://www.gov.ok.gov/index.php or State Capitol, OKC 73105
and ask that he:

put a moratorium on building the cross-town expressway,
do a comprehensive study,
save the Union Station and rail bed,
promote the return of passenger rail service to Oklahoma,
and invest in a light rail system for central Oklahoma.

Here's why: (Choose one or more and fire away!)

1. A light rail system in Central Oklahoma received by far the most votes in OKC's recent survey for a possible Maps3
project. Destroying the state's rail hub would be wasteful, expensive, and regressive. This destruction would set the state
back by decades for passenger rail service in our state--a necessity given cost of gasoline and environmental concerns
caused by auto exhausts.

2. Military base realignment occurs periodically. Tinker Field's main competitor, Salt Lake City, has a new light rail
passenger system. If we have a gas shortage or if gas prices zoom, employees at Salt Lake City's Hill Air Force Base
can still get to work. This fact could become an important consideration in choosing which military base stays open.

3. The state owns about 900 miles of railroad right of way. Most of it connects through the rail hub at Union Station in OKC.
Examples include Tulsa to OKC; Shawnee, past Tinker Field, to OKC with a spur to the stockyards which would also serve
Will Rogers World Airport; Lawton and Fort Sill to OKC. Additionally, a rail line from near Enid, home of Vance AFB, either
to Guthrie or Edmond. Rail access to our military facilities is critical given the current emphasis on homeland security. Finally,
Reps. Ryan Kiesel and Shane Jett are conducting an interim study (07-103) about acquiring and revitalizing a rail line between
McAlister and Shawnee. That would connect the McAlister munitions plant to Shawnee and then to the other rail lines that
connect OKC to the rest of the state.

4. There is serious concern that the crosstown's route through the rail hub was pre-determined by a few powerful men before a "study" was undertaken "to prove the chosen route was the correct route, regardless of what the facts might be."

Thanks

[PonderInc]

I'm surprised this thread hasn't received more discussion.  The OKC Union Depot is beautiful, and the possiblitlies for a Tulsa/OKC rail line would be effectively destroyed along with the building.

Anyone who has spent time on the Turner Turnpike and dreamed of a better, more enjoyable trip by train should take notice.

[Conan71]

I think we have all beat the mass rail topic to death, but I'll add my standard:

"It's too heavily subsidised"

When you take in consideration the amount of subsidy per passenger mile vs. other forms of transportation- all of which are subsidized in one form or another.

Personally, I might ride passenger rail for amusement on occasion.  As a practical choice of transportation, it doesn't fit my personal nor business travel needs.

[pfox]

All transportation is subsidized.

[Conan71]

quote:Originally posted by pfox

All transportation is subsidized.

Pretty much what I said.  Is any other form of transportation as heavily subsidized per passenger mile traveled as rail is?

[YoungTulsan]

Do you think rail could be viable in say, 25 years?  50 years?

Makes sense to not tear down the infrastructure unless something pretty conclusively proves rail has no chance to ever be viable, no matter how much energy prices rise.

Speaking of tearing things down in OKC to build expressways, can anyone imagine what exactly would happen if that NASCO I-35 super-corridor were to be constructed?

[pmcalk]

quote:Originally posted by Conan71

quote:Originally posted by pfox

All transportation is subsidized.

Pretty much what I said.  Is any other form of transportation as heavily subsidized per passenger mile traveled as rail is?

From all I have read, the airline industry is subsidized more.  

But really, IMO, regardless of any light rail system, they should not tear down such an incredible building.

[MichaelBates]

quote:Originally posted by pmcalk


But really, IMO, regardless of any light rail system, they should not tear down such an incredible building.

It's my understanding that the building would be spared but the railyard would be gone.

[Conan71]

quote:Originally posted by pmcalk

quote:Originally posted by Conan71

quote:Originally posted by pfox

All transportation is subsidized.

Pretty much what I said.  Is any other form of transportation as heavily subsidized per passenger mile traveled as rail is?

From all I have read, the airline industry is subsidized more.  

But really, IMO, regardless of any light rail system, they should not tear down such an incredible building.

Comparing gross dollars for rail vs. air or road, pax rail is the least subsidized.  From information I can find per passenger mile traveled, it is the highest.  For long haul across the country and short haul out here on the prairie where we love our big SUV's it's a novelty.  It's a more viable form of transportation on the coasts.

Now, maintaining what we have and not ripping out infrastructure for something which could be viable in the future?  No let's not rip that out.

Maybe the horrible condition of our roads and our government's seeming indifference to the problem is a secret conspiracy to get us all on the rails. []