What a High Speed Train Could do for Houston's Future
Residents of the Houston and Dallas area were ecstatic to learn about the initial design phase for a high speed train that would make Texas the first state in the United States to have a high speed rail system. However, the enthusiasm shared by most business travelers and residents has also evoked guarded skepticism; could the pipe dreams of city and state development plans ever actually become a reality?
We certainly hope so, and the mayors of Houston and Dallas, Texas have now garnered full support for the high speed rail program. Houston is a thriving metropolitan city with some of the friendliest people you could meet on the planet. Houston's Achilles heel? Lack of a functional public transit system on a grand (and growing) scale.
Houston is such a rich and vibrant city, becoming an increasingly popular playground for some of the nation's brightest minds in the high tech, energy/oil & gas, and manufacturing industries. What Clutch City lacks in history it makes up for in quality of life, celebration of international culture, community pride, and incredibly low cost of living. And the Houston real estate market is one of the fastest growing and most stable in the nation.
Creating a Functional Public Transit System in Houston
The biggest drawback of living in Houston according to younger generations and new expats is the complete lack of a functional public transit system. Sure, if you live along the metro line (which encompasses less than 2% of Houston) you're in luck. But if you don't live in this particular area of town you are flat out of luck. And please, don't even mention the Metro Bus Line....we don't want visitors and tourists getting mugged.
How Could the High Speed Rail Line from Houston to Dallas Transform Texas?
The implementation of a high speed rail system would 
make Houston more attractive to transplants from other states. In addition, it would help Houston-based companies and corporations recruit better talent. If you want the best people, you can't just throw money at them. Intelligence is knowing that quality of life for yourself and family are equally if not more important than one's salary.
If Houston were to go ahead with the high speed rail lines, think of the implications this would have for the rest of the city's public transit dreams. With suburban sprawl continuing to make the Houston "area" even larger, plans for everyday commuter trains and the movement to make them a reality along gain momentum. If the high speed rail system from Houston to Dallas gets the go-ahead, we could be in for some much needed public transit improvements indeed!
Just think; instead of getting in your car in Katy at 6:00am to reach your office in downtown Houston by 7:30, you drive 2 miles to the Katy park & ride and board the 7:00am train bound for Main Street. Coffee in one hand, newspaper in the other. You could have your favorite music playing with your headphones on, and catch up with your email from a long weekend before you even get half way to the office. No road rage, no stop and go traffic, less pollution, and a stress-free start to your day. Not to mention you could sleep longer!
Other benefits include:
- Increased Property Value
- Better Quality of Life
- Lower Pollution
- Lower Transportation Costs
- Faster Commute Times
- Less Stress
We're ready to see the high speed rail plans become a reality, and the City of Houston desperately needs a push in the right direction towards a functional public transit system for the greater metropolitan area. Are you ready?
