New High-Speed Train in Texas Will be Modeled After Japanese Bullet Trains, Coming in 2026

By Aysia Reed

Have you ever heard of the high-speed Shinkansen bullet train in Japan? Well, you will now!

The Japanese-style bullet trains are making their way into the United States after Texas Central, a private railroad establishment, signed a $1.6 billion deal with Mass. Electric Construction and Kiewit Infrastructure South (Kiewit) to develop the Texas High-Speed Train.

The development will focus on the core electric systems for the high-speed train from Dallas to Houston, Texas.

The US has been trying to implement the advanced train system because 80% of their rail network is used solely for moving freight. The United States has not been successful in the past with putting the advanced system into motion.

But now, Texas is taking on the challenge to be the very first high-speed line in America.

It’s about time, considering the United States has 150,000 kilometers of operating length, making it the largest rail network in the entire world!

Texas is the second-largest state in the country, by both size and population. Between Houston and North Texas, over 16 million travelers journey per year through Interstate 45—a single highway.

Transit time can range up to a gruesome 5 hours because of this outdated travel tactic.

Luckily, the train project proposed by Texas Central will create an effective and eco-friendly transportation system and will cut down traveling time to just a mere 90 minutes.

The trains being used will be designed after the Japanese Tokaido Shinkansen high-speed rail system, due to its safe and efficient features.

Right now, Interstate 45 is one of the most dangerous highways in the United States. The Japanese rail system will change this deadly statistic; over the decades, no one has been injured or hurt because of the Japanese railway system.

This safe opportunity will change the approach that the United States has for the current railway system that has had injuries and deaths in the past.

“It has transported over 10 billion passengers with an impeccable safety record of zero operational passenger fatalities and zero accidents since first deployed,” said Texas Central.

A Journey on the Texas High-Speed Train

So, what’s a journey lookin’ like on the Japanese rail system in Texas?

Texas Central is estimating that they will be able to hold 400 passengers with their eight-car train.

The bullet train will have a flawless booking system that is easy and efficient.

If you’re running late, the bullet train system will be able to detect it and will send you updates to your phone to easily prompt you with later departure times.

The bullet train will be extremely accessible for those with disabilities.

If a passenger is in a wheelchair, they are able to stay in it for their ride. Service animals are also welcome on the train.

Strollers are allowed on board as well, thanks to the wide isles. The Texas High-Speed Train will have Texas-sized seats and endless legroom. No need for airplane mode, because the train offers fast wifi for all passengers, as well.

For boarding and exiting the train, there are multiple doors to create a quick and efficient atmosphere.

A Hopeful Future 

Over the course of the six years of construction will create an estimated 17,000 jobs. This will help the Texas economy, too.

“The project will inject an estimated $36 billion in economic benefits over its first 25 years in the form of direct spending during construction, employee payroll, and spending related to the maintenance and operation of the system,” said Texas Central.

Over 10 billion dollars will be immediately placed into the economy across the United States. Manufacturers, women-owned businesses, minority-owned businesses, rural companies, and steel mills will all benefit from the Texas High-Speed Train economy.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has finally released the Record of Decision (ROD) and the final Rule of Particular Applicability (RPA).

Final RPA Approval

“The release of the final RPA and ROD by the Federal Railroad Administration represents years of work by countless individuals, affirming a very thorough and careful federal regulatory process that will make the Texas Central Railroad the first high-speed rail system to be implemented in the United States,” said Carlos Aguilar, CEO of Texas Central.

This is the moment that Texas Central has been waiting for, and gives them the go-ahead in their project.

The Texas High-Speed Train is predicted to be finished by 2026.