North Carolina Supported Regional and Commuter Train, "The Piedmont".IS PASSENGER RAIL OUT OF THE CLOSET IN FLORIDA?
Incredible, fantastic and nearly unbelievable news has just rolled out of the Florida Chamber of Commerce in Tallahassee. Bottom line? The Chamber is loudly supporting Commuter Rail in Jacksonville (by name), SunRail (Orlando) and Tampa (implied). Continued pressure on the powers that be are pushing our state in a bit of a different direction then pure Chicago or New York style Commuter Rail. Being narrow and long, Florida, without even realizing it seems to have all of the ducks in a row for Tampa - Orlando - Jacksonville to launch a massive regional rail system. Certainly many of the trains would be limited to each market, but with the systems connecting or nearly connecting end to end, it's just a matter of time until we follow California into ordering our own bi-level "Florida Cars". Coaches and lounges will connect the North and Central Florida metros with increasing speed, comfort and safety, in a sunshine regional bullet network. Lead on CofC, and if in your quest you desire to talk to the old railroad guy, send me a note.
California Pacific Surfliner took the worlds most auto centric society out of their cars!Florida Chamber of Commerce Breaks Silence on Rail:
America is in a recession, and Floridians have not been spared. Florida's unemployment rate is 8.1 percent, higher than the national rate of 7.2 percent.Florida has lost 255,000 jobs over the past 12 months.The full attention of our elected leaders should be given to economic recovery, transition and job growth. While Florida is faced with the same economic challenges as the rest of the nation, we are fortunate to have a governor who understands the need to invest in long-term transportation solutions even in these tough times.Last year, Gov. Charlie Crist announced his Accelerate Florida program to advance investment in infrastructure projects that will create jobs and encourage economic growth.The wisdom of the governor's initiative is evidenced by the strong return on investment generated by infrastructure projects. For example, for every dollar invested in transportation projects, $5.60 in economic benefit is gained. That is a smart investment.In addition to backing the Accelerate Florida initiative, the Florida Chamber of Commerce joined Crist in his call for national leaders to invest in our state's more than $7 billion in "shovel ready" transportation projects that can be started in less than four months, delivering a quick return on investment.In addition to those important projects, our state has even more work to do to prepare our transit infrastructure before we add another 7 million residents by the year 2030. Florida must continue to diversify and expand its mix of transit solutions to move goods and people.One significant transit solution Florida should build upon is the expansion of commuter rail. While commuter rail systems are being planned in several regions, the Central Florida region's proposed SunRail system provides the most immediate opportunity for construction activity that could leverage federal funding and quickly create thousands of jobs.The economic benefit of SunRail is not limited to Central Florida. As part of its agreement to purchase 61 miles of track for SunRail, the state will direct reinvestment of private money in roadways, railroads and other transportation facilities throughout Florida.In addition to an existing South Florida system, SunRail will also lay the foundation for passenger rail systems in Jacksonville and other Florida regions desperate for multi-modal transportation solutions.Expanding commuter rail in Florida is a great opportunity to leverage federal funding, create thousands of jobs, and gain economic benefits that accompany transportation improvements. Action this coming legislative session will enable the SunRail project to serve as a much-needed stimulus to our state's economy. The time to act on commuter rail is now. MARK WILSON, CEO. Florida Chamber of Commerce, Tallahassee.
Jacksonville DevelopmentMayor John PeytonAmtrakRailroad HubFlorida Rail Passenger CorridorFlorida Chamber of CommerceMark Wilson CEO FLCofCFlorida Transportation
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The expansion of passenger rail nationwide will help cure many of the ills of our society. Now is not the time for shortsightedness.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work. The time is ripe to raise awareness of the advantages of rail transit, especially here in Florida where the quality of life could be improved with alternative public rail transportation
ReplyDeleteThe Chamber of Commerce and John Mica have been lobbying Tampa and Jacksonville to get behind the Central Florida Commuter Rail, or else these two cities will not be assisted to get theirs. To heck with the additional jobs in Jacksonville and Tampa as John Mica said:
ReplyDeleteFlorida would suffer "dire consequences affecting all transportation projects and federal transportation infrastructure revenues to the state, affecting all districts."
http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/may/03/na-defeat-confuses-commuter-rail-future/
So I remain skeptical, and offended by the tactics used. It's high time we make good on the promises of commuter rail in Jax and Tampa without being held hostage to Orlando.
"Florida, without even realizing it seems to have all of the ducks in a row for Tampa - Orlando - Jacksonville to launch a massive regional rail system."
ReplyDeleteSo what are we waiting for? Or are Jax and Tampa contingent upon Orlando as is implied by this letter by the CofC in the TU.
If that's the case in Florida politics, then I understand how we missed the boat on getting our rail funded through the massive stimulus packet going through Congress right now.
Faye Armitage