[OKC] {PassRailTX, OK, KS} PR: KDOT Releases Passenger Rail Service Development Plan

[Jennifer Alig]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <sfrr at aol.com>
Date: Thu, Dec 1, 2011 at 1:16 PM
Subject: {PassRailTX,OK,KS} PR: KDOT Releases Passenger Rail Service
Development Plan.
To: EvanStair at passengerrailok.org


 *Passenger Rail Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas*
*Press Release*
For Immediate Release
December 1, 2011
www.PassnegerRailKS.org <http://www.passnegerrailks.org/>
www.PassengerRailTX.org <http://www.passengerrailtx.org/>
www.PassengerRailOK.org <http://www.passengerrailok.org/>
www.NorthFlyer.org <http://www.northflyer.org/>
Contact Evan Stair at 405.204.5801 or EvanStair at PassengerRailOK.org
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*RE:  KDOT Releases Passenger Rail Service Development Plan.

*
The *Kansas Department of Transportation* (KDOT), partnering with the *
Oklahoma** *and *Texas* Departments of Transportation (ODOT, TxDOT)
released a federal qualifying passenger rail *Service Development
Plan*(SDP) expansion study today.
The *Parsons Brinckerhoff* study analyzed passenger rail expansion
between*Fort Worth – Oklahoma City – Wichita – Kansas City
*.  The subject 606 mile *Texas – Oklahoma – Kansas Corridor* (TOK
Corridor) has been under study since 2008 by the three state DOTs and
Amtrak.

The SDP fulfills one third of federal requirements to secure capital
passenger rail expansion grants along the corridor.  The *High-Speed
Intercity Passenger Rail* (HSIPR) grant program, administered by the *Federal
Railroad Administration* (FRA), includes three requirements; including 1)
current state rail plans, 2) a SDP, and 3) *National Environmental
Protection Act* (NEPA) studies.

The project continues at a snails pace.  KDOT and TxDOT have completed
their state rail plans.  ODOT has stated they expect the Oklahoma state
rail plan to complete by the end of January following a 30 day public
comment period.  Funding to complete the required NEPA study has yet to be
identified.  The NEPA study is expected to require 18 months to complete.

The FRA has awarded nearly $10 billion in grants over the past three years.
Capital requirements, as projected in the SDP, include $136.5 million for
the Heartland Flyer expansion to Wichita/ Newton, KS and $436.2 million to
operate a new train between Kansas City and Ft. Worth.  Annual operational
subsidies are projected as $8.6 million for the *Heartland
Flyer*expansion, and $14.5 million for the full 606-mile TOK Corridor.

The study predicts a dramatic annual ridership increase over the
existing *Heartland
Flyer*.  The Fort Worth - Oklahoma City train service attracted 81,749
passengers during FY-2010.  A *Heartland Flyer* expansion north of Oklahoma
City to Wichita/ Newton, KS would increase ridership to 250,000 annually.  A
new train, operating over the full 606-mile TOK Corridor would attract
270,500 passengers.

The study highlights economic development, improved transportation safety,
and avoided highway damage costs.  Some 2,331 people lost their lives on
Kansas roads in the past five years.  The study also referenced that
improvements will also provide a direct benefit to rail-freight movements,
thus preserving taxpayer road investments. “Freight belongs on the rails,”
according to Evan Stair, Executive Director Passenger Rail Texas, Oklahoma,
and Kansas.

Stair was disappointed with the timeline, “*Parsons Brinckerhoff* is
projecting that the earliest an expansion can occur is 2019.  This is
unfortunate as the need for these services is already upon us.  The three
states and Amtrak need to find ways to cut this timeline.  It seems we are
studying this route into oblivion.”

Stair was also critical of economic development figures, “The world
class *Texas
Transportation Institute* showed $14 million in economic generation beyond
Oklahoma/ Texas subsidy for FY-2009 along the 206 mile Oklahoma City – Fort
Worth Corridor.  This study was sanctioned by TxDOT and ODOT.  The economic
model used in this study does not include after-the-farebox revenues that
make passenger rail not only viable, but necessary in our economy,
struggling to rebound since the 2008 collapse.”

The study is will be available on the Kansas Department of Transportation
website:  www.KSDOT.org <http://www.ksdot.org/> soon.
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