Why Does Florida Need Amtrak?

thelakelander · May 21, 2009, 01:46:28 PM

Amtrak California. That's exactly what we want here. Same type of service and goals.

zoo · May 21, 2009, 03:59:52 PM

Hmm. Amtrak wants it. Populace wants it. Can somebody get the bureaucracy out of the way!

coredumped · May 21, 2009, 04:37:35 PM

I would love to see something parallel to I-95. With so many cities along the east cost (and they're not going to get smaller) rail along the east of florida would be essential.

Doctor_K · May 21, 2009, 04:39:33 PM

There's a track (probably more than one, no doubt) that pretty much runs parallel to US1 already, all the way down at least through Brevard County.

thelakelander · May 21, 2009, 05:29:11 PM

The FEC line was there first. I-95 parallels it from Miami to Jacksonville. Btw, I've been told at the statewide HSR and intercity passenger rail workshop in Orlando today, the only representation from Jacksonville was Metro Jacksonville.

BridgeTroll · May 21, 2009, 07:14:54 PM

Quotethe only representation from Jacksonville was Metro Jacksonville.

Im shocked... Good work guys...

tufsu1 · May 21, 2009, 08:15:42 PM

Quote from: thelakelander on May 21, 2009, 05:29:11 PM
The FEC line was there first. I-95 parallels it from Miami to Jacksonville. Btw, I've been told at the statewide HSR and intercity passenger rail workshop in Orlando today, the only representation from Jacksonville was Metro Jacksonville.

not that its a good excuse, but we did have a really big regional visioning event here today...most of the JTA folks were there....along with reps from FDOT like Brad Thoburn...and hey, even the Governor stopped by!

Steve · May 21, 2009, 08:34:49 PM

Okay, but JTA couldn't send SOMEBODY?

tufsu1 · May 21, 2009, 09:35:55 PM

like I said...not a good excuse

thelakelander · May 21, 2009, 09:59:02 PM

Its all good. We'll be more than happy to take over the rail discussion with the bigwigs. We made some great contacts today. Btw, word is that they were upset Crist was not present.

tufsu1 · May 21, 2009, 10:34:58 PM

they shouldn't have been...his visit here was not exactly useful

ralpho37 · May 21, 2009, 10:59:04 PM

The main issues that stand in the way of an "Amtrak Florida" are money to make it happen and liability with the freight railroads. The leaders of Jacksonville really need to get on the ball with the downtown transportation center to make the most of this kind of opportunity.

Charles Hunter · May 21, 2009, 11:17:32 PM

I think the MJ front page article said there should be no liability issues with Amtrak on the freight rail lines, as they already have liability agreements. What sank SunRail was trying to create a new liability agreement.

And yes, local leaders need to get on the ball with getting the downtown transportation center going.

thelakelander · May 21, 2009, 11:36:23 PM

Quote from: ralpho37 on May 21, 2009, 10:59:04 PM
The main issues that stand in the way of an "Amtrak Florida" are money to make it happen and liability with the freight railroads.

Those were the issues with Sunrail. Amtrak already operates on freight rail lines, so their liability agreements are already in place. Amtrak has also seen an increase in billions of funding in the last year to improve and expand service. The main issue for an "Amtrak Florida" is for the state to agree to jump on board for the ride.

JaxNole · May 21, 2009, 11:40:45 PM

So what will it take to convince local stakeholders for their buy-ins?

How to communicate the value of Amtrak service so it is removed from the shelf and assigned high priority?