PERSPECTIVES ON FRONT RANGE PASSENGER RAIL

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1 PERSPECTIVES ON FRONT RANGE PASSENGER RAIL Rocky Mountain Railroad Heritage Society Englewood, Colorado September 30, 2017 Jim Souby Colorado Rail Passenger Association

2 ABOUT COLORAIL FOUNDED IN 1989 BY DENVER SAVE OUR STATION TEAM ACTIVE IN T-REX, FAST TRACKS, AMTRAK CURRENT CAMPAIGNS SUSTAIN AND IMPROVE AMTRAK S SW CHIEF RESTORE, SUSTAIN AND IMPROVE SKI TRAIN SERVICE TO WINTER PARK SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF FRONT RANGE PASSENGER RAIL 2

3 What Does ColoRail Do? Identifies and defines issues facing rail and transit passengers in Colorado Develops strategies and creates campaigns to go after and resolve the issues Enlists leaders to lead the campaigns Sustains the campaigns over time and celebrates accomplishments 3

4 Enlisting support and Champions is key. For example: SW Chief Leadership Excursions

5 Successful Campaign: Winter Park Express Issue Restore Ski Train (ended in 2009) Develop Business Case and Plan Get Champions on Board WP / ColoRail hosted Amtrak brass and bus trip to Denver Gain Political Support Planning and Communication Support Operations

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7 SUCCCESS: Crew and Hosts after final 2017 run

8 OUR VISION FOR RAIL 8

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10 ColoRail ASSUMPTIONS: THE FUTURE Front Range Population grows by 57% by 2050! 1 in 5 elderly, many younger people transit oriented with different lifestyles Public realizes the current transportation system faces carmegeddon New, smarter technologies change the landscape for communities and citizens reducing first mile/last mile issues and costs Younger generations get politically motivated to secure their future 10

11 ColoRail ASSUMPTIONS Shared-use of Front Range Corridor Freight ROW is best bet Service must be competitive with auto travel A building block approach makes the most sense There are useful models around the nation State Rail Plan and new legislation are key 11

12 ASSUMPTIONS Shared-Use Freight ROW is Best Bet Connects the key communities downtowns north and south of Denver Provides a feasible path through Denver with service to Denver Union Station Can be staged to allow future service to DIA from north and south Provides service to most voters who must approve funds Freight Railroads capacity can be protected and principles adhered to (see BNSF Railway s Commuter/Passenger Principles ) 12

13 ASSUMPTION Service Must Be Competitive With Auto Travel Trip time at peak between DUS and Fort Collins and DUS and Colorado Springs should be about 75 minutes with minimal stops Fares must compete with auto operating costs, parking; will employers subsidize fares to reduce parking expenses? Travel by train must be consistently accessible, comfortable, convenient and reliable in all weather conditions 13

14 ASSUMPTION A Building Block Approach Makes the Most Sense Develop Amtrak through car service from the south, stop by stop Act now to preserve needed rights-of-way, facilities and sites Develop peak service to the north, perhaps 3 am and 3 pm trains at the outset Expand service and infrastructure based on demand, working cooperatively with the host railroads to protect their needs Grow ridership and acquire facilities strategically 14

15 ASSUMPTION There Are Useful Models Around the Nation Sounder Train, Seattle Tacoma North Carolina Piedmont Service Charlotte - Raleigh NorthStar, Minneapolis Big Lake, MN New Mexico Rail Runner Express Belen-Albuquerque-Santa Fe Frontrunner Ogden-Salt Lake City-Provo Virginia Railway Express Washington, DC Fredericksburg, VA BrightLine Orlando Miami, FL 15

16 ASSUMPTION State Rail Plan and New State Legislation are Key State Rail Plan qualifies Colorado for federal funding State Rail Plan must posit Front Range Passenger Rail in its long range plan component 2017 General Assembly created the Southwest Chief & Front Range Passenger Rail Commission including continuation of SW Chief activities The Commission will continue SW Chief campaign and facilitate the development of Front Range Passenger Rail and help win public support for the concept 16

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