Follow the money.  Who must pay the bill?  If it's taxpayers, no way, including the PPP's which will likely demand huge subsidies and taxpayer-subsidized bonds.

Or, is this a replacement deal for the foriegn investors who bought the revenue rights for TTC scheme?

Which insiders and political cronies become multi-millionaires if this is approved?

And, such a system is ripe for destruction by the terrorists who are waiting patiently for more ill-devised lunacy.

I'll beleive it when I see it.  If we age going to do that, why not go ahead and use mono-rails down existing TxDOT/power/Railroad ROW's.  Then we will not have the "land grab" situation that cause the demise of the TTC.

It's hard to believe that Republican Bob Eckels is supporting this. Someone must be paying him a fortune.

Is there a place to make a complaint? It drives me crazy when people smoke on the light rail platforms. Isn't there a way metro can get on the loud speaker and tell them to stop? I know there is camera's at every platform. Another complaint I sat in ketcup yesterday on the light rail. It amazes me how many people eat or drink something on the light rail. I am seriously ready to start making a citizen's arrest next time one of these situations arise.

DominicMazoch said:

"If we age going to do that, why not go ahead and use mono-rails down existing TxDOT/power/Railroad ROW's.  Then we will not have the 'land grab' situation that cause the demise of the TTC."

What Mary forgot to mention is the following comment in that Chronicle story;

"The prospect that a high-speed rail line could be elevated also will help address concerns of landowners, since the project wouldn’t cut them off from freely accessing their property, said Temple Mayor Bill Jones, vice chairman of the rail corporation."

Note the word "elevated",  A very important word.  Fully grade separated 'higher' speed rail is what can, and will, achieve higher speeds, safer travel, and the smallest use of land which will allow for farmers and other land owners to use all parts of their properties.

don said:

"It's hard to believe that Republican Bob Eckels is supporting this. Someone must be paying him a fortune."

Perhaps it is more because this proposal is focused on a true private-public venture rather than simply taking tax maoney and building something?

When I have written to them and other officials, I have strongly recommended that the airlines should be brought in as partners to help pay and operate the system.

It can be fully automated, as is the Shanghai maglev, and the airlines can cut out all 'hopper' fights between Houston, Dallas and San Antonio.  This will reduce their "carbon" volume dramatically.

Don G, do you really believe this rail plan can be done without tax money being involved? I think not as long as politicians and lobbyists are involved.

Rail question, Metro police are too busy playing undercover super hero to do anything about your complaint. I see what you're talking about every day. People urinate, smoke, litter and whatever they want to at the rail and bus stops without any fear of Metro police. Just a couple of days ago I was waiting for a bus at Westheimer and Montrose when a man walked behind the bus shelter, unzipped his pants and peed right on the back of the shelter. This was during the afternoon rush hour.

That sounds great. The only problem... it totally avoids Lufkin, Texas (North on US 59  - 110 Miles). We would like rail service too. We should be considered instead of a branch into Temple.