Some news about AAF circling around Daytona today:
QuoteAs officials struggle to obtain funding to bring SunRail farther into Volusia County, another train might be poised to rumble into the area, a congressman said.
U.S. Rep. John Mica, R-Winter Park, said that a planned rail service, All Aboard Florida, could soon look to expand into Daytona Beach using the Florida East Coast Railway that runs through Volusia and Flagler counties.
It's just a matter of time before they build it, Mica said.
"This is going to happen, and it could happen very quickly," he said.
Mica's overture seems to indicate a willingness by officials at All Aboard Florida to take another look at Volusia County as a possible landing spot after deciding years ago to take an alternate route to Orlando. A spokeswoman at the private company wrote in an emailed statement that "All Aboard Florida does not have plans to expand at this time." Local leaders who previously worked to lure the service here said they have not heard of any new developments on the project.
Volusia County Councilman Josh Wagner, who has advocated to build an inter-modal center at Daytona Beach International Airport to be used by SunRail and All Aboard Florida, said the area needs to be ready for when the rail industry looks to service the region.
"You have to have enough people to show them the stop makes sense for them," he said.
All Aboard is now focused on building four stations for the planned project to connect Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Orlando International Airport. The service is expected to begin in 2017, according to the company.
Though he offered few details, Mica said he would work to bring the rail service here in five years.
Full article: http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20151102/news/151109909
Quote from: thelakelander on November 02, 2015, 06:51:15 PM
Some news about AAF circling around Daytona today:
QuoteAs officials struggle to obtain funding to bring SunRail farther into Volusia County, another train might be poised to rumble into the area, a congressman said.
U.S. Rep. John Mica, R-Winter Park, said that a planned rail service, All Aboard Florida, could soon look to expand into Daytona Beach using the Florida East Coast Railway that runs through Volusia and Flagler counties.
It's just a matter of time before they build it, Mica said.
"This is going to happen, and it could happen very quickly," he said.
Mica's overture seems to indicate a willingness by officials at All Aboard Florida to take another look at Volusia County as a possible landing spot after deciding years ago to take an alternate route to Orlando. A spokeswoman at the private company wrote in an emailed statement that "All Aboard Florida does not have plans to expand at this time." Local leaders who previously worked to lure the service here said they have not heard of any new developments on the project.
Volusia County Councilman Josh Wagner, who has advocated to build an inter-modal center at Daytona Beach International Airport to be used by SunRail and All Aboard Florida, said the area needs to be ready for when the rail industry looks to service the region.
"You have to have enough people to show them the stop makes sense for them," he said.
All Aboard is now focused on building four stations for the planned project to connect Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Orlando International Airport. The service is expected to begin in 2017, according to the company.
Though he offered few details, Mica said he would work to bring the rail service here in five years.
Full article: http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20151102/news/151109909
Mica is merely saying he will do what he can in his power to facilitate AAF extensions. But right now AAF is trying to get their bonds sold.
As far as Daytona getting both SunRail and AAF, not likely.
I can see Amtrak and AAF, but not SunRail. SunRail is focused on future extenstion north to Deland and south past Kissimmee.
When AAF starts service and has been running for at least a year, then I would look for some extension proposals, but for now its all talk.
Think 2019 at the soonest.
^2019 would fit within his window. Also, FDOT is currently conducting an alternative analysis study to would possibly extend Sunrail to Daytona:
http://volusiaconnectorstudy.com/about_study/
With that said, ridership numbers are pretty low and the cost is high, so I have my doubts as well.
Quote from: thelakelander on November 02, 2015, 09:16:29 PM
^2019 would fit within his window. Also, FDOT is currently conducting an alternative analysis study to would possibly extend Sunrail to Daytona:
http://volusiaconnectorstudy.com/about_study/
With that said, ridership numbers are pretty low and the cost is high, so I have my doubts as well.
While the study has merit for long term planning, politically, no one in their right mind is going to want to mess with AAF's future plans.
If AAF comes right out in 2019 and says that they can't support a private biz plan to Jacksonville, and will never pursue it, then and only then do I see this corridor moving forward for a funding pitch.
Although I've personally seen some conceptual plans, I doubt it happens even if AAF never comes to Jax. With that said, I don't think AAF's plans will have any impact on its feasibility.