TU Editorial: Commuter rail: Start this economic engine

[thelakelander]

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

http://www.jacksonville.com/opinion/letters_from_readers/2009-02-03/story/start_this_economic_engine

[ProjectMaximus]

hooray! someone in tallahassee has a brain...

[BridgeTroll]

Im glad you found it Lake...

[fsujax]

I couldn't agree more.

[Ocklawaha]

My crystal ball says this is going to shake out far, far, different then any of us can imagine. While there may be some Jacksonville, Orlando and Tampa commuter rail. The bulk of this line Jacksonville - Murray Hill - Roosevelt Plaza - Yukon - Orange Park - Green Cove Springs etc... is going to be a frequent corridor service all the way to Tampa. This and the chance of a Florida East Coast Corridor make us the only common end point of the system. The natural hub and natural location for Shops, servicing, catering, etc... Does our own Chamber of Commerce or Economic Development Division even know what we could be given here? Does anyone in Jacksonville have a clue?





Either we polish the hub caps or SANFORD-ORLANDO will.

OCKLAWAHA

[thelakelander]

My crystal ball says this is going to shake out far, far, different then any of us can imagine. While there may be some Jacksonville, Orlando and Tampa commuter rail. The bulk of this line Jacksonville - Murray Hill - Roosevelt Plaza - Yukon - Orange Park - Green Cove Springs etc... is going to be a frequent corridor service all the way to Tampa. This and the chance of a Florida East Coast Corridor make us the only common end point of the system. The natural hub and natural location for Shops, servicing, catering, etc... Does our own Chamber of Commerce or Economic Development Division even know what we could be given here? Does anyone in Jacksonville have a clue?

We've been saying this for a while now in regards to backing the establishment of an Amtrak Florida Corridor service.

Amtrak: Expanding Intercity Corridors
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/924/116/

We have also featured a few front page articles to give readers an example of what such a system could look like in Florida and how it can help with Jacksonville's everyday commuter needs.

Amtrak Hiawatha Corridor Service
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/941/116/

Amtrak Capitol Corridor Service
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/942/116/

Amtrak Keystone Corridor Service
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/960/116/

Amtrak has been literally begging for a chance to set up and system here and now they have their share of the funds to pull it off.  We need our State and our major cities (ex. like Jacksonville) to buy into the idea and get this thing off the ground.

Personally, I think the benefits are greater than focusing only on JTA's commuter rail plans. 

1. It can be established faster (we're literally adding frequency/more stations to existing service.)

2. Major destinations and cities are connected statewide by reliable and frequent rail service.

3. The rail enhancements needed will also benefit complementing local commuter rail in the future.

4. This would allow suburban areas like Clay, St. Johns and Flagler to immediately prepare for TOD development opportunities.

5. Amtrak has studies showing they can break even on O&M costs.

6. Allowing Amtrak to be a part of the process will give us the opportunity to apply our local dollars enhancing transit corridors not immediately served by a statewide Amtrak corridor service first (ex. streetcars, commuter rail North corridor).

7. Downtown Jacksonville naturally sets up to be the hub of the statewide system.

8. Jacksonville leaders can be pulled kicking and screaming if it is backed by the State.

Seriously, what are we waiting for?  Some components of this thing should be added to the stimulus list.

[Doctor_K]

I'm telling you guys.  Stephen for Mayor and then hire Lakelander as the head of your core planning team and Ock as transportation guru.  It's the Trifecta of transit.