DesertXpress has been uniquely designed to be a financially viable, long term solution to the mobility crisis in the corridor as a private undertaking. The forecasted revenue stream from fares, advertising, and sponsorships is robust, and it will enable the project to be self sustaining as a private interstate passenger railroad.

Working in cooperation with the public sector, which controls the bulk of the right of way upon which the system will operate, the resultant partnership represents a responsible and cost-effective way to address the pressing need for a new "people pipeline" in this corridor.

The comprehensive ridership forecasting work that was independently vetted by the Federal Railroad Administration (resulting in a 90% confidence interval) shows that at a $50 one-way fare, which is at the mid-point of the range of fares we have studied, the annual ridership in the first full year of operation is estimated to be over 10 million trips (over 5 million round trips). 87% of the ridership is diverted from I-15, representing a 25% mode shift from autos to clean, electric, trains. DesertXpress has the capacity for long-term growth—the infrastructure could handle up to 60 million people per year—more than the carrying capacity of the existing I-15. Trains would operate between 6 am to 10 pm (or later), daily, 365 days a year, at 20 to 30 minute intervals during peak periods and 1- to 2-hour intervals during non-peak periods.

Economic Impact

DesertXpress is estimated to create 50,000 person-year jobs during the 4-year construction period with peak employment reaching 20,000 jobs during the same timeframe. The regianal economic impact of building the project is estimated to be over $8 Billion.