New law would seek to restore passenger rail service between New Orleans and Sanford
October 16, 2008 03:51:00 PM
By Tony Simmons / Online Editor
http://www.newsherald.com/news/service_68886___article.html/amtrak_florida.html (http://www.newsherald.com/news/service_68886___article.html/amtrak_florida.html)
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Allen Boyd (D-North Florida) today announced that President George Bush withdrew his veto threat and signed the Railroad Safety Enhancement Act of 2008 (HR 2095), which would require Amtrak to submit a plan to Congress for restoring passenger rail service between New Orleans and Sanford.
The North Florida corridor has not been served by Amtrak since the close of Amtrak's Sunset Limited service after Hurricane Katrina.
"I am pleased that the President dropped his veto threat and signed this important bill into law," said Boyd, quoted in a news release. "Since the close of Sunset Limited, I often hear from constituents about the possibility of restoring passenger rail service to North Florida. This study will get the ball rolling on ways to restore this service that will most benefit the people of North Florida and help to make train travel an affordable option in our region."
The language in HR 2095 requires Amtrak to submit a plan to Congress that will include a projected timeline for restoring service between New Orleans and Sanford, as well as the associated costs for reinstating this service, the news release said. In developing the plan, Amtrak will consult with representatives from the states of Florida, Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi, railroad carriers whose tracks may be used for such service, and rail passengers.
Prior to its closing in 2005, Sunset Limited's North Florida stops included Crestview, Chipley, Tallahassee, Madison, Lake City, and Jacksonville.
Amtrak recently reported a ridership record for Fiscal Year 2008, which ended on September 30, with 28.7 million passengers, largely due to high gas prices.
"Amtrak provided a valuable service to many Floridians," Boyd stated. "In this time of rising fuel costs, passenger rail service would provide the people of North Florida with more transportation options and add an important economic development tool to the area."
Boyds railroad geography is off. The Sunset, or better yet the Gulf Wind (as a daylight train) should run from Jacksonville - New Orleans. Sanford is a joke for such a long distance cruise train. Would Boyd send the Jacksonville - Atlanta train to Manchester, Georgia? How about one of the New York - Tampa trains running on to tie up at Brooksville for the night?
It's just that "according to Amtrak" if we pay for it (fat chance) they will run 5 or more trains on the East Coast Corridor, NY-Miami. They already have eyes on splitting them at Jacksonville Terminal. So why an extra train when those through cars could just be switched into a southbound train and run all the way through to Tampa or Miami? I'm glad he is supportive, but we need some route correction, also, why not a "RULE" that put Amtrak back on the Florida East Coast? I understand Boyd is looking out for his district, but St. Augustine - Daytona Beach - Cocoa - Melbourne - Stuart - West Palm and Miami are hardly Chipley, Crestview or Madison.
OCKLAWAHA