The Galveston Intelligent Transportation system (ITS) Passenger Rail Demonstration Program, also known as the Texas GulfLiner, is designed to emphasize the advantages of rail passenger service during peak periods when the Galveston Causeway is heavily congested. Beginning in 2002, on Labor Day, the Texas GulfLiner ran along the tracks of the GH&H lines pulling three to four passenger cars and an engine in the rear for a push-pull movement on a single track in and out of Houston. This passenger rail demonstration project is not currently in progress due to lack of funding, but steps are being taken to try to bring the GulfLiner project back to Galveston’s historic Santa Fe Terminal.

The success of the Texas GulfLiner and the Galveston ITS Passenger Rail Demonstration Program provides a unique opportunity to address matters such as freeway congestion, pollution, a need for alternative intercity commuter and leisure travel, as well as economic development. This information, and that gathered during future runs of the Texas GulfLiner, will be utilized to improve quality throughout the demonstration and to make the case for regular passenger rail service between Galveston Island and the Mainland.

The primary goal of the Galveston ITS Passenger Rail Demonstration Program is to build grass-roots support for the re-establishment of regular passenger services to the Houston CBD. Although it is a demonstration project, the Texas GulfLiner is the only local intercity passenger rail service operating in the eight-county Houston-Galveston TMA. However, achieving the ultimate goal of returning regular service between Galveston Island and the Houston CBD will require significant capital investments. Improvements for track upgrades along the mainline, including continuously welded double tracked rail, new sidings and spurs, stations, terminals, grade crossings and signals, will be needed in varying degrees along the 50 miles between Galveston Island and the Houston CBD. In support of that effort, the City of Galveston has requested congressional assistance through the reauthorization and appropriations processes. Not only would theses improvements benefit passenger operations, but would also benefit freight operations using this rail corridor, and would also enhance access to the Port of Galveston and its industrial users.