Positive Talk Could be Hiding the Truth Behind the Renewed Push for SunRail

[Ocklawaha]

Well then, hell Faye, how about you buy my son a new car, after all he works hard, and hail wrecked his last one, he deserves it. Besides Faye, OUR socialists are better then THEIR socialists.

OCKLAWAHA
"Das Capital"

[CS Foltz]

I thought that "Socialists" were Republicans in drag!

[FayeforCure]

I thought that "Socialists" were Republicans in drag!

Now that sounds interesting!

As in privatize the profits and socialize the losses.

For sure Republicans seem to like corporate welfare and redistribution up to enrich the top 1% who already own more than the bottom 95% combined.

[buckethead]

I agree with that sentiment, Faye. It applies to democrats as well.

In light of the second stimulus package, It applies three fold.

[tufsu1]

Taken from a letter from Sen. Jeff Atwater to his fellow senators in preparation for this week's special session....

"I am pleased to report that over the last several weeks FDOT has been negotiating an improved
liability contract. Under the proposed legislation, the freight rail operator will pay anytime their
acts cause damages to people or property under certain circumstances, this includes those
accidents that most commonly occur on the nation’s rails today. Additionally, if a freight train
and commuter train collide, and punitive damages are awarded, the private rail operator will be
responsible for the willful and wanton acts by its employees."

also legislation will do the following...

FLORIDA RAIL ENTERPRISE
Creates Florida Rail Enterprise within DOT, modeled after the existing Florida Turnpike
Enterprise, that will be responsible for passenger rail systems, including high speed rail

PASSENGER RAIL COMMISSION
The Passenger Rail Commission is created to advise FDOT in designing, building, operating,
financing, and maintaining passenger rail systems. It will also monitor the efficiency,
productivity, and management of SFRTA and future rail systems such as Sun Rail, TBARTA, and
High Speed rail.

DEDICATED FUNDING TO PASSENGER RAIL â€" DOCUMENTARY STAMP PROCEEDS
Consistent with a statewide rail vision, this provision creates a dependable, sustainable funding
source for future rail projects.

   Provides the foundation for growing passenger rail and a source for future systems to
   tap into for development and construction of those new systems.

   First $60 million of TRIP funds dedicated to passenger rail to be administered by the
   Florida Rail Enterprise

[thelakelander]

Cool.  Is this new found source of dedicated funding something that Jax can tap into for its proposed commuter rail system?

[JeffreyS]

Will the Passenger Rail commission monitor the efficiency of the Skyway.

[FayeforCure]

Taken from a letter from Sen. Jeff Atwater to his fellow senators in preparation for this week's special session....

"I am pleased to report that over the last several weeks FDOT has been negotiating an improved
liability contract. Under the proposed legislation, the freight rail operator will pay anytime their
acts cause damages to people or property under certain circumstances, this includes those
accidents that most commonly occur on the nation’s rails today. Additionally, if a freight train
and commuter train collide, and punitive damages are awarded, the private rail operator will be
responsible for the willful and wanton acts by its employees."

also legislation will do the following...

FLORIDA RAIL ENTERPRISE
Creates Florida Rail Enterprise within DOT, modeled after the existing Florida Turnpike
Enterprise, that will be responsible for passenger rail systems, including high speed rail

PASSENGER RAIL COMMISSION
The Passenger Rail Commission is created to advise FDOT in designing, building, operating,
financing, and maintaining passenger rail systems. It will also monitor the efficiency,
productivity, and management of SFRTA and future rail systems such as Sun Rail, TBARTA, and
High Speed rail.

DEDICATED FUNDING TO PASSENGER RAIL â€" DOCUMENTARY STAMP PROCEEDS
Consistent with a statewide rail vision, this provision creates a dependable, sustainable funding
source for future rail projects.

   Provides the foundation for growing passenger rail and a source for future systems to
   tap into for development and construction of those new systems.

   First $60 million of TRIP funds dedicated to passenger rail to be administered by the
   Florida Rail Enterprise

Really cool for sure,............ I wonder how the dedicated funding source will do,.........what is the expected revenue?

Thanks tufsu1, that sounds really good!!

[tufsu1]

The dedicated funding source is doc stamp revenues....my understanding is that a ceratin amount of that will be set aside for rail projects throughout the state (not just TriRail).

Its just one more example of a strong change in philosophy at FDOT

[tufsu1]

Will the Passenger Rail commission monitor the efficiency of the Skyway.

I doubt it...I think local transit will still be handled through FDOT's Public Transit Office....although they may be reorganizing that and other "offices" to put them all under the rail enterprise umbrella

[FayeforCure]

The dedicated funding source is doc stamp revenues....my understanding is that a ceratin amount of that will be set aside for rail projects throughout the state (not just TriRail).

Its just one more example of a strong change in philosophy at FDOT

I meant,......will there be enough revenue from the doc stamps, to be a legitimate dedicated funding source?

Or is it just lip service AGAIN?

Pardon my cynicism, but I'd like to know the expected revenue from the doc stamps before I totally cheer this development.

[JeffreyS]

Yes please do not under fund rail if you are going to do it do it right. I do not mean it has to have all the bells and whistles up front but let's not have it doomed off the bat by too much skimping. I hope they allow locals to have additional funding with rental cars surcharges if they choose.

[Ocklawaha]

I thought that "Socialists" were Republicans in drag!

Naw, you got it all mixed up CS, Socialists are far left Dems and Nazi's (National Socialists) are REPUBLICANS... If I had to choose? Damn? I'm not either?

NAZI, because I don't like wearing green PJ's and their uniforms were cooler.

OCKLAWAHA

[Ocklawaha]

The industry press is full of "High speed through incremental expansions," articles. Expect the money coming from DC to reflect this idea. The AAR (Association of American Railroads) and the "Shortline Railroad Association," along with the NARP, (National Association of Railroad Passengers) have all issued a statement supporting capacity and track improvements to raise speeds. Some of these are pretty big, North Carolina, is saddled with miles of 45 MPH track, which would be raised to 86, while our own would run in the 90 - 110 MPH range.

Good news indeed TUFSU...

Meanwhile on my train-set, Brasil and Colombia are jointly funding our Ferrocarril Carrie, and have signed an intent to the rebuilding of FC De Antioquia from Puerto Berrio to Bolombo, giving us back the Atlantic-Pacific capabilities lost to rocks, water and mud! Watch for this last one to effect both sugar and coffee prices in a positive way for consumers.


OCKLAWAHA

[tufsu1]

Yes please do not under fund rail if you are going to do it do it right.

Please we underfund everything else in this state...why should rail be any different.