Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

LETTER TO THE EDITOR:

X Train a smart short-term solution

The Wednesday article in the Las Vegas Sun by Rick Velotta about the Las Vegas Railway Express, “It’s not as fast, but this train could hit the rails sooner,” was a surprise. In the midst of the long-term contention between developers of a Nevada-California maglev and the proposed DesertXPress train between Las Vegas and Victorville, all of a sudden here is publicity about this plush and pulsating train that can start up as early as 2011.

What impresses me even more than the fact that Las Vegas Railway Express will operate on existing tracks is that the train will originate and terminate at Los Angeles’ Union Station. Unlike isolated Victorville, Union Station is connected by Amtrak trains, light rail, motor coaches and bus transportation going pretty much all the time in every direction. Plus, the station is at the central business district of Los Angeles. Also, Union Station remains beautiful. Built in 1939, it is still referred to as the “Last of the Great Railway Stations.”

Reading the story in the Sun, I was once again reminded of the statement of Robert Lang of the Brookings Institution that Las Vegas is a world city due to its connectivity to other cities. Even though Las Vegas Railway Express’ X Train would run far slower than the 150 mph DesertXPress, the X Train would greatly benefit from the extensive connectivity provided at Union Station.

Michael Barron, chairman and CEO of Las Vegas Railway Express, calls the X Train a party train, but I can imagine the X Train quickly evolving into a businessperson’s transportation choice, as well.

I see the Nevada-California maglev as being needed in the long run, but it seems like the X Train could become both popular and profitable in the near future.

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