Oklahoma Rail News

The situation in the Gulf of Mexico is a reminder of the great lengths and risks we take as a nation to maintain our current transportation system.

There are a number of steps that must be taken to ensure a future where we enjoy the travel freedoms we have come to take for granted. Among these is diversification of our transportation system so that consumers have attractive, energy efficient choices like modern railways.

The Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 directs the Secretary of Transportation to develop a National Rail Plan. In part this document is to be made up of the rail plans of the individual states.

The Constitution of the United States reserves significant power to the States in setting priorities like internal improvements. Therefore in response to the Federal Railroad Administration’s solicitation for comment on the content of the National Rail Plan, Oklahoma rail passengers support “policies empowering states and groups of states to take the initiative in the employment of rail-based transportation to improve mobility.” However, there is role for the central government in ensuring that the rail system works well for the nation as a whole.

From the early days of our Oklahoma’s rail passenger program, officials here have reached across state lines to their counterparts in Kansas, Missouri, and Texas. But nationally, the projects awarded the most funding to-date have been primarily to support intrastate travel. We call on Secretary Ray LaHood to work with governors, labor, and the private sector and make the sure the right incentives and planning are in place so that the obvious gaps across state lines are filled in. We call for the creation of a defined process “utilizing standards, benchmarks, and goals” to determine periodic improvements to the national system of rail routes and schedules.

Anything less could result in a balkanized, disconnected “non-system” where the benefits of rail exist only in a tiny fraction of potential trips.

Just as the Interstate Highway System was used to binds our diverse parts, so upgraded and high speed rail can move the nation into the a new era of travel freedom, less reliant on fossil fuels and supportive of productivity and quality-of-life.

For the full text of our comments click here.

Founded in 1979, Oklahoma Rail is a non-profit, consumer organization that advocates for the improvement, expansion, and the awareness of the benefits of rail passenger services to and for the state.

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With its AmtrakConnect SM Wi-Fi® high speed internet now fully deployed on its premium Acela Express trains in the northeast, the nation’s rail passenger carrier has announced its intention to make the service available on all its trains.

On-board surveys indicate about 39% of Acela Express passengers are using the service. Matt Hardison, Amtrak Chief, Sales Distribution and Customer Service, said “We’ve had tremendous positive passenger response to having Wi-Fi available onboard and keeping it free of charge will support increased ridership growth.”

Amtrak also is announcing plans to expand Wi-Fi service to other routes contingent on available funding. To advance this goal, Amtrak has just issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for vendors to identify, procure, install and maintain Wi-Fi on its fleet nationwide, including for: its remaining passenger equipment in the northeast, the Northeast Regional service; for long-distance, overnight trains; and for passenger equipment used in corridor services across the U.S. This work is expected to begin by late fall 2010 and will start with Amtrak California services routes, followed by the Northeast Regional service.

Matt Dowty, President, Oklahoma Rail, said “One of the prime advantages of train travel is the ability for travelers to be productive while moving to their destination. Having reliable Wi-Fi high speed internet onboard is a huge deal. As portable personal technology becomes a bigger part of our lives, a necessity for some, it makes rail passenger service across Oklahoma an even greater value. Compare this with highway travel where voice features are the only ones you can safely or practically use.”

Founded in 1979, Oklahoma Rail is a non-profit, consumer organization made up of rail passengers and other citizens that works to improve, expand, and raise awareness of the benefits of rail passenger services to and through the state.

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From Metro Transit – Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority

Public Meetings to Discuss New Downtown Transit

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 22, 2010

Public Meetings to Discuss New Downtown Transit
Meetings to Collect Input from Community on Destinations and Routes

The Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority and the City of Oklahoma City are seeking citizen input through a series of public meetings and online forums to begin planning for enhanced public transit in downtown Oklahoma City.

COTPA will launch www.LetsTalkTransit.com and host the first “Let’s Talk Transit” public discussion on March 29 to collect input about the initial five-mile modern streetcar routes in downtown Oklahoma City. Together, the public and COTPA will work through the process to identify destinations and routes that will best serve downtown’s public transportation needs. Included in the area of focus will be various downtown districts such as the Automobile Alley, Bricktown, Central Business District, Deep Deuce, Film District, Oklahoma Health Center, Midtown and the Core to Shore area.

“This is the first step toward a new transit vision for our City,” said Mayor Cornett. “We’re encouraging every citizen to offer input. These meetings will help us identify the service areas that are most important to those who work in, live in and visit our downtown.”

Citizens can provide their input online or through a series of Let’s Talk Transit public meetings. Meetings will be held:

March 29 City Hall- 200 N Walker (11:30 am – 1 pm OR 6 – 7:30 pm)
April 13 CivicCenter Hall of Mirrors – 201 N Walker(6 – 7:30 pm)
April 29 Civic Center Hall of Mirrors – 201 N Walker(6 – 7:30pm)
May 11 CivicCenter Hall of Mirrors – 201 N Walker (6 – 7:30 pm)
May 27 CityHall – 200 N Walker (11:30 am – 1 pm OR 6 – 7:30 pm)

The agenda for each of the five meeting dates will change because it will build on the information and input from the previous meeting. On the first and last dates the community will have the option to attend a morning or an evening meeting with the same agenda.

This accelerated process is necessary to identify what streets the streetcar may travel and to coordinate the plan with Project 180 – Oklahoma City’s downtown streetscape plan starting in May 2010. Through cooperative planning, the projects will minimize disruption due to construction and maximize cost savings.

Included in MAPS 3, passed by Oklahoma City voters in December 2009, is approximately $130 million in funding for public transportation. The transit package includes approximately five miles of downtown streetcar and a multimodal transit hub in downtown.

“Five miles of streetcar will only allow us to cover a limited area,” said Rick Cain, Administrator of COTPA and Director of Public Transportation and Parking for the City of Oklahoma City. “That’s why it’s critical we get input from citizens about their preferred destinations and routes in downtown Oklahoma City.”

In hopes of building on the MAPS 3 modern streetcar project, an Alternatives Analysis (AA) study is underway. The AA study will provide a broader scope of the transportation needs of downtown Oklahoma City and is required to qualify for future federal funding. While a modern streetcar will provide improved mobility in the area, the AA will look at planning with emerging technologies and services for further enhancing downtown public transportation for the next 30 years.

An AA Steering Committee made up of citizens is currently being formed to review input from transit consultants, city planners and engineers about capital, operating costs and other infrastructure that must be considered, as well as to listen to input from the public about where they want to go. The input from the Let’s Talk Transit public discussion will be reviewed and considered by the Alternatives Analysis Steering Committee for their recommendation to the City Council.

For more information or to provide input, visit www.LetsTalkTransit.com.

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A white paper released this month by the National Resource Defense Council indicates that Oklahomans are particularly vulnerable to fuel price spikes.

While gasoline prices are still below those seen in 2008, it is still critical for citizens and policymakers to realize that America only holds 2% of proven world oil reserves while consuming roughly a quarter of world supply. Almost two thirds of these supplies are imported and about 96% of our transportation system is reliant on oil.

Presently the average Oklahoma driver spends $1,831 or 5.26% of his or her annual income on fuel. If prices were to spike to 2008 levels, then an average of $3,278 or 9.28% of Oklahoma driver’s income would be consumed to fuel our vehicles. And that doesn’t count insurance, taxes, repairs, and car payments or depreciation. Only Mississippi, Montana, and Louisiana are worse off.

All states are dependant on oil for mobility but because of the limited job opportunites close by, the layout of our towns and cities, and lack of energy efficient transportation alternatives like regional and intercity rail, Oklahoma is particularly vulnerable.

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Companions ride for half off! This Spring enjoy special savings on Amtrak’s Heartland Flyer service. Three day advanced booking and other significant conditions apply. Click here for details.

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For immediate release
March 11, 2010

Oklahoma Rail passengers respond to Amtrak study

Oklahoma Rail issued a statement following today’s release by Amtrak and the State of Kansas of the results of their study of train service options in the Kansas City-Dallas/Fort Worth rail corridor which could significantly improve travel in Oklahoma.

Citizens and visitors to the state could stand to benefit if the glaring gap on the passenger train map is filled in between Oklahoma City, Wichita, and the national rail system. The majority of Amtrak-served destinations are best reached through Chicago.

Better passenger train service enhances and helps preserve the ability of free people to move about. Train travel allows one to be productive or rest while moving towards their destination. For the hundreds of thousands of Oklahomans who can not easily drive themselves either because of age, disability, or lack of ownership of a road-worthy vehicle, trains can make the difference between being able to make the trip or not. Improving the mix of options in our state’s transportation system will make us less dependant on foreign oil. Because for many trips so few of us have any reasonable alternative to driving, Oklahomans suffer more when fuel prices rise. Already, crude prices are exceeding anything we saw in 2009.

Route owner BNSF Railway calls for improvement in the capacity of their lines in order to accommodate the proposed new passenger train services. Oklahoma Rail points out the referenced additions of double track would be a substantial enhancement of the nation’s freight network between the Texas Gulf Coast and the Upper Midwest. Benefits would therefore extend far beyond passenger service. The study’s infrastructure recommendations come just two days after China announced its intention to link Asia and Europe with an advanced rail system.

Although the current budget environment restricts how quickly the states can move on this initiative, it is important that lawmakers and planners use this time to take steps towards eventual implementation.

In fact, planners should look at alternatives that may offer taxpayers a better value on equipment, for example. While Amtrak is the only feasible operator of such a service, it is short on rail cars. This is the time to investigate these alternatives.

We express our gratitude to the public officials responsible for the pursuit of updated data regarding this proposal. We also recognize the tireless work of citizens seeking a better transportation system. Without their efforts, this development wouldn’t be happening. Oklahomans deserve a state-of-the-art, well-maintained transportation system with diverse choices. We are closer to that ideal today.

Founded in 1979, Oklahoma Rail is a non-profit consumer advocacy organization made up of more of more than 600 Oklahomans who work to improve, expand, and raise awareness of the benefits of rail passenger services to and through the state.

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It is important that Oklahoma have the State of Kansas as full partner in order to get Amtrak train service extended from Oklahoma to Wichita and Kansas City. The Kansas House Transportation Committee is considering S.B. 409. This proposed law specifically authorizes and empowers the Kansas Department of Transportation to contract with Amtrak and work with surrounding states in the development of passenger rail service. It also creates an account to hold future funding. This is an important step.

Kansas rail advocates working in Topeka have advised that it would he helpful if Oklahomans contact members of this committee to show support and cross-state interest.

Please call one or more of the officials offices and leave a message in support of S.B. 409. Use your own words to describe why you would use Amtrak service from Oklahoma into Kansas. It is o.k. to be brief. If you are reading this, we mean you. Do it today!

Gary K. Hayzlett 785-296-7640
Jene Vickrey 785-296-6014

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The Oklahoma Department of Transportation has awarded the design contract for the I 244/South Cental Corridor intermodal bridge project to the Garver firm of Destin, Florida. Garver had previously developed the preliminary engineering used in the successful application for the federal TIGER grant.

ODOT Director Gary Ridley now believes construction on the project could start late this year.

Currently the state only has funds on hand to complete the westbound I 244/US 75 bridge, which will have the intermodal elements. The eastbound highway-only bridge will come later.

Besides its uesfulness for intercity rail, the bridge is an essential spine in a potential regional commuter rail system. At its west end, is a junction with the Texas Belt/Midland Valley line to West Tulsa, Jenks, and Bixby. The BNSF main line continues southwest towards Sapulpa.

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By a vote of 37-3 the Kansas Senate has approved a measure granting the Kansas Department of Transportation formal authority to develop passenger rail services and enter into agreements with Amtrak.

SB 409 would authorize the Secretary of Transportation to establish and implement a passenger rail service program. With the program, the Secretary would be authorized to take the following actions:

Enter into agreements with Amtrak, other rail operators, local jurisdictions, and other states

Provide assistance to local jurisdictions to ensure that rail stations and terminals are designed and developed to meet safety and efficiency standards, aid intermodal transportation, and encourage economic development

Provide loans or grants to passenger rail service providers from a Passenger Rail Service Revolving Fund established by the bill. Those loans or grants could be
used for these purposes:

Restoration, conservation, improvement, and construction of railroad lines, switching yards, sidings, highway grade separations, and other railroad-related
improvements

Rail economic development projects that improve rail facilities, including locomotives and rolling stock

In an OU Daily piece, an Amtrak spokesman said the company’s analysis of Kansas service options, including several through Oklahoma, are still underway and should be complete in the next several months.

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A proposal to rebuild the deteriorating Interstate 244 Arkansas River bridges in Tulsa into an intermodal crossing is now likely to become reality. The project was awarded a $49 million federal grant, part of a new federal program that is billed as an alternative way to fund projects as opposed to congressional earmarks. The river link is a key segment of the Oklahoma spoke of the South Central Corridor high speed rail system.

The complete $83 million project replaces the late 1960s era east- and westbound expressway bridges with new ones. Besides having an upper level deck with four traffic lanes plus an emergency shoulder lane, the westbound bridge will incorporate a lower deck with room for two tracks and a pedestrian/bicycle lane. The tracks can be used for future high speed intercity or commuter trains.

The TIGER Discretionary Grant Program is a component of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Prior to the formal release of the awards, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said “TIGER grants will tackle the kind of major transportation projects that have been difficult to build under other funding programs. This will help us meet the 21st century challenges of improving the environment, making our communities more livable and enhancing safety, all while creating jobs and growing the economy.”

Each application was evaluated using four criteria:

1. Long-term outcomes
a. State of good repair of critical infrastructure
b. Ability to stimulate economic competitiveness
c. Enhancement of safety
d. Livability
e. Sustainability
2. Job creation and economic stimulus
3. Innovation
4. Partnerships

U.S. Department of Transportation staff evaluated 1,400 of the TIGER grant applications with an estimated value of $57 billion. The program had $1.5 billion available and just 51 projects were chosen. Just based on that, one can see how fortunate Tulsa and the entire state is to have been selected. Oklahoma rail passengers appreciate the Obama adminstration’s decision. It takes away a lot of the sting associated with the state not being selected in the first round of high speed rail grants that were awarded last month. We thank those officials at the Indian Nations Council of Governments and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation for putting together an excellent proposal.

Kathy Taylor, Mayor of Tulsa when the application was filed, said “This project will improve highway operations, freight service and facilitate commuter rail and future high speed rail connections between Oklahoma City and ultimately other regional metropolitan areas, and further economic development. It will be of particular benefit to Tulsa, and new, programmed and planned developments within our community.”

The rail deck across the Arkansas River can support high speed or conventional train service from Saint Louis and Tulsa to Oklahoma City and beyond. It could also be used for commuter rail to Sapulpa or rapidly growing Bixby and Jenks. A starter light rail line has been proposed across the bridge linking West Tulsa, downtown, and the OSU-Tulsa campus.

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