The X Train Project
The Largest Unserviced Passenger Rail Corridor in the United States is Southern California to Las Vegas
There has been no regular passenger rail service between these two demographic areas for 13 years. The two primary reasons why passenger train service has not been offered are; the time and cost advantages of traveling by other means and secondly, the train route itself was not profitable.
We feel we have the answers to the two primary reasons why passenger train service between the two metropolitan areas has not been successful. It is our belief that the time and cost advantages have shrunk significantly to a point where traveling by train is a legitimate option for our targeted customer.
The major connector between Orange County and Las Vegas, Interstate 15 (I-15) is becoming increasingly congested, with motor vehicle travelers experiencing substantial delays during peak travel times (e.g., Friday and Sunday afternoons). Average daily traffic (ADT) on I-15 just south of Las Vegas is calculated to be around 60,000 vehicles; through Primm, ADT is around 39,000. By the year 2020, traffic is projected to increase by more than 100 percent, with the respective ADTs projected to be 126,000 and 78,000. The segment of I-15 between the I-215 interchange in Las Vegas and the state line at Primm is programmed for widening from four to six total lanes. This will lessen peak congestion in the near term, but substantial congestion is expected to recur by 2020 with continuing growth in roadway traffic demand. Documented automobile travel times between California and Las Vegas are increasing as a result of the congestion in the Cajon Pass.
On weekends or during holiday periods when travel between Southern California and Las Vegas is typically higher, the travel time can increase significantly and delays are common. In fact, these delays can cause drive times to increase to well over 6 hours each way. Our discussions with the two host railroads have assured us they can schedule our train service within a five hour time frame which is a very favorable time period compared to the current times for driving. Continue reading
We feel we have the answers to the two primary reasons why passenger train service between the two metropolitan areas has not been successful. It is our belief that the time and cost advantages have shrunk significantly to a point where traveling by train is a legitimate option for our targeted customer.
The major connector between Orange County and Las Vegas, Interstate 15 (I-15) is becoming increasingly congested, with motor vehicle travelers experiencing substantial delays during peak travel times (e.g., Friday and Sunday afternoons). Average daily traffic (ADT) on I-15 just south of Las Vegas is calculated to be around 60,000 vehicles; through Primm, ADT is around 39,000. By the year 2020, traffic is projected to increase by more than 100 percent, with the respective ADTs projected to be 126,000 and 78,000. The segment of I-15 between the I-215 interchange in Las Vegas and the state line at Primm is programmed for widening from four to six total lanes. This will lessen peak congestion in the near term, but substantial congestion is expected to recur by 2020 with continuing growth in roadway traffic demand. Documented automobile travel times between California and Las Vegas are increasing as a result of the congestion in the Cajon Pass.
On weekends or during holiday periods when travel between Southern California and Las Vegas is typically higher, the travel time can increase significantly and delays are common. In fact, these delays can cause drive times to increase to well over 6 hours each way. Our discussions with the two host railroads have assured us they can schedule our train service within a five hour time frame which is a very favorable time period compared to the current times for driving. Continue reading
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