Bullet Train Project Gains Traction

High-speed bullet train between Dallas and Houston gains major allies

The much-discussed, never-yet-realized high-speed train between Houston and Dallas suddenly has some powerful political backers.

In a joint press conference, Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings, Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price and Houston Mayor Annise Parker talked up the Texas Central Railway — a proposed high-speed train connecting the Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth areas — moving into the next phase. The March 27 press event marked the first time all three mayors have collectively backed the privately funded project.

"Not only will high-speed rail significantly reduce travel times and traffic congestion for Dallas and Houston area residents," said Mayor Rawlings, "but it will also create new, high-paying jobs and stimulate economic growth."

The new train would effectively connect the two largest metro regions in the state and the two of the fastest growing regions in America.

The Dallas-Houston rail, with its visions of being completed by 2021, is part of the U.S. High Speed Rail Association's proposed 14,000-mile, high-speed rail system that would connect dozens of the nation's major cities.

"Picture yourself in 2021, making the decision how to best get from Houston to the DFW area and having choices," Parker said. "You can take your personal vehicle, you could jump on a plane — airport-to-airport — or you could jump on a high-speed train that could get you there in 90 minutes."

The appeal of such a train is simple, and the demand is certainly there. The new train would effectively connect the two largest metro regions in the state — making up more than 50 percent of the state's population — and the two of the fastest growing regions in America.

Similarly, Parker referenced a study that found there are more than 50,000 "super commuters" who travel between Houston and Dallas more than once a week.

"If you're commuting once a week from Houston to Dallas," Parker said, "wouldn't you rather be able to jump on a train and work on something else while you're making that commute?"

For many, the answer is easy, especially considering that mounting traffic issues have caused travel time between the two cities to sometimes increase to as much as six-and-a-half hours.

Those bullet trains
Texas Central Railway wants to use the N700-I Bullet train system, the same one used by the Central Japan Railway Company on the line between Tokyo and Osaka, a line which handles more than 300 trains and 390,000 passengers daily. Parker says the train — capable of moving at 205 miles per hour — would be competitive with other modes of transportation in terms of speed, convenience and price.

So what exactly is happening now?

"We're moving from general discussions to the formal EIS [Environmental Impact Statement] process and, with the Federal Railroad Administration, the formal safety standards process," Parker said.

Texas Central Railway has been working on the project for the past three years, but now that they are seeking federal approval, the process is becoming public.

The project is finally moving forward with the EIS process, a necessary step for any project that could significantly affect the quality of the environment. The formal environmental study will help identify a preferred route and potential stops, although stops are expected to be minimal to prevent lengthening travel time.

At the press conference, Parker highlighted the prevalence of high-speed rail systems throughout Europe — and the surprising lack of them in the United States. When it comes to the formal safety standards process, things are a bit complicated. With no high-speed rail systems currently running, it means there are no existing federal regulations.

There are many steps that must be taken in order to achieve the proposed 2021 opening of the rail system. The EIS and safety standards processes are just the beginning, and they are expected to take about two years. The hope is that construction will begin in 2016.

Although the Texas Central Railway plans are currently in motion, this isn't the first time a high-speed rail has been proposed in Texas. In the 1990s, a group pushed for such rail but encountered serious opposition from major transportation players like Dallas-based Southwest Airlines, ultimately leading to the failure of the project.

Texas Central Railway officials told the Dallas Morning News that Southwest has remained relatively quiet about the latest plans for the proposed high-speed train.

The privately funded Texas Central Railway would connect DFW and Houston, cutting travel time to only 90 minutes.

Central Rail high-speed bullet train rail

Photo courtesy of JR Central

The privately funded Texas Central Railway would connect DFW and Houston, cutting travel time to only 90 minutes.

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Jet setting

Luxury private terminal PS lands at DFW Airport ahead of World Cup

Photo courtesy of PS

PS Direct service provides a personal greeting and escort to and from the terminal.

Talk about traveling in style. Just in time for this summer’s FIFA World Cup soccer matches in Dallas-Fort Worth, a private, luxury terminal is opening at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport to accommodate well-to-do passengers.

A company called PS (formerly known as The Private Suite) will debut the 12,200-square-foot private, gated terminal on June 1. The terminal, located adjacent to DFW’s corporate aviation facility, will enable travelers to skip the airport’s main terminals, bypassing traditional airport lines in favor of dedicated security and screening.

And to be clear, this is for passengers flying commercial - not those in private jets.

In a release, PS says its facilities are “designed to eliminate the friction at every stage of travel — transforming the journey into a refined and seamless experience, from beginning to end.” The company sells individual and corporate memberships.

The “refined and seamless” PS experience is practically fit for royalty. Guests can choose among two offerings:

The Salon, a social lounge geared toward solo travelers and small groups. It features a 40-foot bar that pays homage to old-fashioned Southern bars.
Private lounges, each of which evokes “a deeply personal, homey feel” to support relaxation.

Perks for PS customers include a chef-prepared menu, spa services, and a BMW chauffeur service. The DFW chauffeur service, which will whisk passengers directly from their aircraft to their hotels or homes, is set to launch later this year.

No mingling with riff raff at security.Photo by Jenna Peffley

Dallas-based designer Jean Liu created the look of the terminal, which PS says “introduces an elevated, design-forward approach.” The terminal’s textures, colors, materials, and art reflect themes of Western landscapes and cowboy culture.

In one lounge area inside the terminal, warm taupes and tans dominate the walls and round coffee table, while the sofa and flooring feature a generous dusting of charcoal and deep brown. All three chairs are upholstered in a mushroom-tone fabric. The entire palette exudes the feeling of a desert landscape.

Complementing its surroundings, a large piece of bold abstract art hanging on one of the lounge area’s walls incorporates black, cobalt blue, deep red/pink, yellow, and white hues.

“We leaned into the notion of Southern hospitality for this project,” Liu says. “As much as possible, we pushed the envelope to incorporate residential elements — rather than what you’d typically see in a commercial space — to truly make this feel like stepping into someone’s home. PS DFW is designed to be warm, elevated, and welcoming for everyone passing through.”

PS private terminal DFW The Salon features a mural by Dallas artist Amy Berlin.Photo by Jenna Peffley

One of the highlights of The Salon: a mural by Dallas artist Amy Berlin in collaboration with Los Angeles artist Candice Kaye. Made of suitcase liners, maps, vintage text, and other materials in Berlin’s signature paper-collage style, the DFW-inspired textures “meet the energized pulse of global travel, inviting whimsy, retreat and calm,” says PS.

The art installations at PS DFW, curated by Los Angeles-based Creative Art Partners, center on “texture and materiality, balancing expressive abstract works with more subtle references to the tones and warmth of Dallas,” the company says. “Softer narrative pieces are woven throughout, creating moments of contrast and pause.”

The DFW terminal and soon-to-open facilities in Miami and Paris represent the next steps in PS’ plan to open private terminals at every major U.S. airport by 2030. The Los Angeles-based company already operates terminals at Los Angeles International Airport and Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport.

“As we expand, our focus remains on reimagining the airport experience by bringing the privacy, comfort, and personalized service of a five-star hotel into the journey itself,” says Amina Belouizdad Porter, CEO of PS.

PS will surely be a welcome option for some travelers arriving with high-priced tickets to the nine World Cup games being contested in Arlington, June 14-July 14, 2026.

While PS memberships are available, a la cart experiences are offered, as well. According to the website, The Salon begins at $1,295 per person; private suite rate is $4,950 for up to 4 travelers; and PS Direct service is $1,650 per person.

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