You are correct about free parking in Dallas. However there IS parking. Just paid. There is no overnight parking at Centerport at all, free or paid. So a driver would still have to go to Dallas or Ft. Worth (where there is paid and free parking).To your first point, almost nobody lives near Centreport. They are a few apartments, but most within walking distance. I don't see that as an issue, but one that could be mitigated with a full up Amtrak station installed if the demand existed. But there is no free parking at Fort Worth or Dallas, either.Correct! For those coming from Cleburne, Minneola, etc. But how would you keep people from wanting to board at Centerport?I understand and appreciate all of your comments. Perhaps we will close this just agreeing to disagree.
I'm confused, however, at the following statement:
This sounds like a problem for TRE riders today that go to Centreport to transfer to DFW, not Amtrak riders who would get on and off at stations way outside of the TRE Zone like the five cities I've already mentioned. So far as I know, each of those offer free parking.Then there is the parking dilemma. By contract, the TRE lots are "No Overnight Parking Allowed" and cars are towed after the latest departure/arrival each night. So Amtrak riders would need a lift to and from these stations. To change this would require a vote of all of the partner cities, the DART board and the board of the T, which would be difficult, if not impossible.
I agree that it would be great to have Amtrak stop there, just disagree that the logistics would be as easy as you claim. It is a major hassle as is with luggage going from TRE to DFW on the bus. And if the Eagle were to be on time, pax would have to wait for the next TRE scheduled arrival to catch that bus. They could not schedule one to meet Amtrak with the Eagle's hit and miss arrival times.
However, with what I mentioned earlier, it is simply not going to happen anytime soon. And by soon, I mean 10 to 20 years, if ever. No political will for it to happen.
I agree with just about everything you are saying about political will, but it's ok to have the discussion. This forum ain't going to change nuthin'. But if there are a couple of boots on the ground that feel the same way I do, maybe it won't take 20 years. After all, it did take nearly 20 years just to get Amtrak moved from the UP to the old Rock Island.
So a Centerport stop on Amtrak will help the few pax who are going to DFW, who do not have checked bags, and/or care to schlep them from the train to the bus. I agree with you on that! Still not gonna happen in my lifetime.
The free parking in Ft. Worth is in Sundance Square. Pick up your vehicle after hours on weekdays or anytime at all on weekends and all of your parking, no matter when it started, is free.