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| Joe Ferguson | |
A new study estimates a round-trip ticket on a bullet train between Chattanooga and Nashville would cost about $75 and the trip would take about 50 minutes each way without stops.
Building the high-speed train between the cities would cost $5.4 billion, officials said Wednesday as they publicly unveiled the study.
The report, done by the engineering firm Arcadis, stated that a “maglev” train, levitated and propelled by powerful magnets — one of the technological choices for a bullet train — should run along the Interstate 24 right of way. Government funds from federal, state and local sources paid for the $2 million study.
“Maglev can do grades,” said Joe Ferguson of Chattanooga’s Enterprise Center, noting that such a train can go up Monteagle Mountain. “It’s a no-brainer.”
The Chattanooga-Nashville leg is just one part of what could be a Chicago-Savannah, Ga., rapid-rail line, Mr. Ferguson said.
On Wednesday, the Enterprise Center board approved hiring Commonwealth Research Associates of Washington, D.C., to develop a strategic plan for the next steps on the train project. No money has been allocated for construction for the train, and it isn’t known when or if work will start.
Brian Whitaker of Arcadis, which is based outside Denver, said a study on the Atlanta-to-Chattanooga section has indicated stations could go up at Chattanooga’s airport and Warner Park. He said there also have been conversations about putting one at the Chattanooga Choo-Choo.
The new study also showed stations could go up in Murfreesboro, at Nashville’s airport and downtown Nashville.
The study projects ridership at 51,322 total trips in 2030. Mr. Ferguson said ridership projections are low, but they don’t include the Atlanta-Chattanooga leg.
The train could travel between Chattanooga and Nashville at speeds ranging from 250 mph to 310 mph for about one-third of the trip, the report projected. Another third of the time, speeds would be below 125 mph, most of that due to the mountain area just northwest of Chattanooga, Mr. Ferguson said.
Wayne Cropp, the Enterprise Center’s director, said the United States needs new transportation infrastructure for the future. High-speed trains could address energy and environmental issues, he said.
With the high price of gasoline and concerns about airline service, rapid rail is another option, Mr. Ferguson said.
The economic impact of the Chattanooga-Nashville portion of the bullet train was put at $1.3 billion, according to Arcadis, though that does not include jobs created, other economic development, greenhouse gas reduction or reduced dependence on foreign oil.
Maglev boosters locally would like to gain access to $15 million in federal money that could be available for a more in-depth study of the Chattanooga-Nashville route, Mr. Ferguson said. A $7.9 million study now is under way on the Chattanooga-Atlanta leg and should be finished next year, he said.
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Comments
Just how long are we going to study and talk about this train? It seems I've been hearing about this possibility of a train connecting these cities for at least the last 10 years of my 26 year old life.
I understand that studies must be done to be certain that every aspect of this train is covered, but goodness, I would like to be still in my right mind and good health to ride the train when it starts. Can we please speed up the "studies"?
1 of 1 people found this comment useful.
This sounds awesome to me. I live in Nashville, and probably wouldn't take a train to Chattanooga, but I'd definitely be taking it to Chicago and Atlanta frequently.
0 of 0 people found this comment useful.
Maglev is definitely a choice for FUTURE transportation due to high oil prices, low maintenance cost (approx 35 cents per mile VS 5$ per mile for conventional train)... MAGLEV can replace airplanes, cars, conventional trains...
MAGLEV is only a one time billions of dollars of investment... but still better than people spent billions of dollars on OIL EVERYDAY!
Think about this: let's say 100 years from today, all oil are used up, or oil prices will hit 1000$ per barrell, then who can afford to travel by airplane? or driving? no one can afford this $$$.
Maglev is definitely the best transportation system in the future.
May be one day... we have a chance to see a MAGLEV travelling from New York to San Francisco... replacing airplanes!
0 of 0 people found this comment useful.
To answer the question about how long were going to study and talk about this train, by the first poster. I will say until the funding for the studies runs out. You know it’s extremely unfortunate that our tax dollars are being wasted for this study. At least I hope these studies are a waste given the following facts.
Cost to build Chattanooga to Nashville is estimated at $5.4 Billion. Yes Billion.
Projected annual passenger miles in 2030 are 223.5 million.
Projected revenue per mile at Low $0.30, Mid $0.50 and High $0.75.
Taking the Mid revenue per mile of $0.50 and multiplying it by the 223.5 million passenger miles gives you annual revenue of $111.7 million.
Wow $111.7 million at peak ridership in 20 years, sounds good right?
Well, without extracting any money for operating expense and not adding any interest, it will take 48 years to payoff the debt to build it. Remember 48 years and that’s with 0% interest and 100% of revenue at peak ridership taking nothing for operating expenses. If I were to take out operating expenses and reduce the revenue while it was building to peak ridership then add interest, I'm guessing it will never be ableto pay the debt to build it. I’m also not sure of the life expectancy of the train. But given it’s complexity I highly doubt it would last the 48 years it would take to pay for it without interest or operating expenses.
So where do all of the projections/assumptions leave us. Well I think it’s pretty clear. We the taxpayers will be subsidizing the project. Yep that means even if you never step foot on the train you will be paying for it. It’s also my assumption it will be local taxpayer money from both Chattanooga and Nashville without Federal money. So if this somehow gets approval to be built be ready to dig deep.
The real question should be how much are you willing to pay in additional taxes to have this service? Because if this were really a good idea private enterprise would be building these trains everywhere.
Oh, and as for the comment about it only being a one time investment and spending billions on oil everyday. The Maglev at 5.4 Billion will only serve a very small demographic of people, while oil serves everyone. But unfortunately everyone will be paying for the Maglev. Please don’t misunderstand. I’m all for alternatives to oil, but this isn’t it, at least not right now. I’m confident there will be more alternatives with cheaper price tags coming in the near future. Until then we all need to be more prudent in lowering our fuel consumption which should have a calming effect on oil prices.
Also, I want to congratulate the people that continue to get taxpayer money to study something that is so obviously bad for taxpayers. It’s amazing how they have packaged the data to make it sound like a good idea, just so they can get more funds to do more studies. Sounds like a great and lucrative job while it lasts.
0 of 0 people found this comment useful.
As for the question "oil serves everyone..." I hope you should know that United Airlines will spend 61 Billion US on "oil" in year 2008. "This year will be "on par" with the worst financial year ever for airlines, said James May, chief executive officer of the association. The losses are due largely to $61 billion in fuel costs, he said."
link:
http://www.ajc.com/business/content/prin...
Think about this: 61 Billion/ airline, in the States, how many airlines you have? more than 5... so 61 Billion x 5 airlines = 305 Billion will spend on aviation oil in year 2008!
and with 305 Billion (aviation fuel expenses only...) this number doesn't take into account the fuel $$ by cars, trucks, etc. with 305 Billion, you can build lots of MAGLEV routes! Remember, MAGLEV is only a one time, billion of $$$ of investment... but still better than people spend billions or possibly trillions of dollars on OIL everyday!
I will say if MAGLEV can replace all local domestic flights will be good!
0 of 0 people found this comment useful.
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