Florida High Speed Rail Option and Elimination

[yapp1850]

if state this way ridership will be way up not like  north lakeland, disney,occ, airport all this high speed rail is a touris train what about avg. working florida person.

[yapp1850]

tampa tea party  as tampa 912  had a 30 min. meeting with rick scott today they are not happy because the high speed rail has not been cancel and budget cuts need to be lot deeper than what he propose.  there plan is  all local transit should be bus only no trains and hov lanes  and  on intercity travel we have redcoach not high speed rail or increase amtrak on csx/fec.

[tufsu1]

FDOT rail staff were in Orlando yesterday at a workshop on the RFP/RFQ process....the new ridership study is expected next week....with it and the contract assurances that private sector cover cost overruns and losses, Gov. Scott will have the cover he needs to proceed with the procurement process.

[tufsu1]

well it appears the Governor is good with SunRail...HSR is next up!

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/os-sunrail-budget-approve-20110211,0,2689338.story

[Doctor_K]

Outstanding!  Baby steps!

Wish we could get something moving as quickly here for JaxRail as they have in the 407 for SunRail.

[tufsu1]

sadly here is the latest!


News Service of Florida Breaking News Alert

Gov. Rick Scott is rejecting the federal money for high speed rail
between Tampa and Orlando. Scott said the state eventually likely
would be on the hook for keeping the train running.  "I believe the
risk far outweighs the benefits," Scott said in a hastily called news
conference.

[tufsu1]

News Service of Florida Breaking News Alert

Gov. Rick Scott is rejecting the federal money for high speed rail
between Tampa and Orlando. Scott said the state eventually likely
would be on the hook for keeping the train running.  "I believe the
risk far outweighs the benefits," Scott said in a hastily called news
conference.

[tufsu1]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                CONTACT:  Amy Graham
FEBRUARY 16, 2011                                                                                                                    850-488-5394

Florida Governor Rick Scott Rejects Federal High Speed Rail

Tallahassee, Fla. â€" After thoughtful consideration, Governor Rick Scott informed U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood of the state’s decision to reject President Obama’s Tampa to Orlando high-speed rail project.

Below are Governor Scott’s Remarks as Prepared:

•         As you know, I was elected to get Floridians back to work and to change the way government does business in our state.

•         I am committed to making good on those promises. 

•         Recently, I sent a budget proposal to the legislature that reduces the size and scope of government; reduces the costs of that government and passes those cost savings on to taxpayers so that we can create new jobs and turn Florida’s economy around.

•         I believe when you reduce government’s reach and hold that government accountable, you create an environment where the economy can flourish.

•         When you reduce taxes and put that money back in the hands of hardworking Floridians and Florida businesses, that money will be spent on creating private sector jobs

•         As you know, my background is in business, not politics.  But you don’t have to be an economics expert to understand that if you spend more money than you take in, your business will fail.

•         Unfortunately, politicians haven’t always seemed to grasp that same principle.

•         In fact, the Obama administration just announced a $3.73 trillion budget that includes the largest budget deficit in our nation’s history ($1.65 trillion).

•         The president’s budget includes $1.6 trillion in higher taxes.

•         Those higher taxes will impact Floridians and our competitiveness worldwide.  We cannot expect individuals to build businesses in America if our taxes are higher than other countries.

•         Higher taxes and more government spending is a recipe for disaster.  Government has become addicted to spending beyond its means and we cannot continue this flawed policy.

•         Let us never forget, whether it is Washington or Tallahassee, government has no resources of its own.  Government can only give to us what it has previously taken from us.

•         That is why today I am announcing my decision to reject the Obama administration’s plan to partially-fund the costly Tampa to Orlando high-speed rail project.

•         Moments ago I spoke with u.s. transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to inform him of my decision.   I appreciate the secretary’s efforts to work with us and I look forward to working with him in the future.

•         My decision to reject the project comes down to three main economic realities:

o   First â€" capital cost overruns from the project could put Florida taxpayers on the hook for an additional $3 billion.

o   Second â€" ridership and revenue projections are historically overly-optimistic and would likely result in ongoing subsidies that state taxpayers would have to incur. (from $300 million - $575 million over 10 years) â€" Note: The state subsidizes Tri-Rail $34.6 million a year while passenger revenues covers only $10.4 million of the $64 million annual operating budget.

o   Finally â€" if the project becomes too costly for taxpayers and is shut down, the state would have to return the $2.4 billion in federal funds to D.C.

•         The truth is that this project would be far too costly to taxpayers and I believe the risk far outweighs the benefits.

•         Historical data shows capital cost overruns are pervasive in 9 out of 10 high speed rail projects and that 2/3 of those projects inflated ridership projections by an average of 65 percent of actual patronage.

•         It is projected that 3.07 million people will use the train annually.  Keep in mind that Amtrak’s Acela train in Washington, D.C., Boston, Philadelphia, New York and Baltimore only had 3.2 million riders in 2010.  And that market’s population is 8 times the size of the Tampa/Orlando market.

•         President Obama’s high-speed rail program is not the answer to Florida’s economic recovery.

•         We must make investments in areas where we will get a return for the shareholders â€" Florida’s taxpayers.

•         Rather than investing in a high-risk rail project, we should be focusing on improving our ports, rail and highway infrastructure to be in a position to attract the increased shipping that will result when the panama canal is expanded when the free trade agreements with Colombia and panama are ratified and with the expansion of the economies of central and south America.

•         By capturing a larger share of containerized imports entering our seaports, expanding export markets for Florida businesses and emerging as a global hub for trade and investment we can create up to an additional 143,000 jobs according to a recent chamber of commerce study.

•         It is absolutely critical that we make smart investments with taxpayer dollars, whether state or federal, and I believe our state will be better served by spending these funds on projects that will benefit Florida and not turn into a spending boondoggle.

•         The answer is to reduce government spending, cut government’s leash on our state’s job creators and then hold that government accountable for the investments it makes.

•         That is what I was elected to do and that is how I plan to govern. Let’s get to work!

[fsujax]

Dang it, you beat me to it! i am little worried that he spcifically mentioned Tri-Rail and the subsidy it recieves.

[Doctor_K]

So does this mean SunRail is yet again in doubt?

The state's already 'on the hook' for all the freaking roads and highways that need to be maintained.  I love how those are always ignored.

[fsujax]

I dont think so. One more thing, you heard it on Metrojacksonville first!

[Garden guy]

This is no suprise from this thief and liar...and for his party as well...he and his party have historically not supported the advancement of it's people. .they only care about the wealthy and connected...i can't wait to vote against him.

[Jumpinjack]

I see that one of the reasons for the turn down is that it is "Obama's high speed rail program". How much does that add to the cost overrun estimates?

[Doctor_K]

Is he a liar? 

I think he's always been against High Speed Rail.  Not saying I agree with him, but on this one I don't think he's 'lying,' just 'an idiot.'

[tufsu1]

Let's Get To Work...first thing we'll do is eliminate jobs!