This following is found in the industry leading magazine "Progressive Railroading". Perchance a few of my critics might want to join the team now? Let's work together and make this city hum and buzz. QuoteCSXT AGREES - A BLUEPRINT FOR JACKSONVILLE
RE: http://jacksonvilletransit.blogspot.com/ 2008/ 10/ cs...
THE DAY THE CITY COMES OF AGE
From Progressive Railroading E:News comes this wonderful bit of reporting, is anyone in Tallahassee awake and reading the handwriting on the wall?Partnership 10/3/2008Massachusetts, CSXT agree on commuter- and freight-rail pactYesterday, Massachusetts officials and CSX Transportation execs announced they reached an agreement to improve and expand commuter- and freight-rail service in the commonwealth. Under the agreement â€" which took about four years to hammer out â€" service on five trains the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) operates between Framingham and Boston will be extended to Worcester by Oct
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For the newest articles on the Port and Commuter Rail and how to fix it see: http://jacksonvilletransit.blogspot.com/SOMEONE OUT THERE "GETS IT!"
Peyton? Where ARE you?OCKLAWAHA
Hopefully the "four years to hammer it out" isnt part of that blueprint. But yes, it's kind of crazy that serious negotiations haven't been pursued with our local company CSX ... especially given how well situated our freight tracks already are for commuter rail.
So even after that preliminary commuter rail study, no one with JTA has had negotiations with CSX or FEC?
JOE, In JTA's defence, yes, they are talking to the railroads. Each of the various meetings have contained a few railroad legal eagles.
BUT!
JTA is STATE and JACKSONVILLE is City. It's a really screwed up system we have that sends us to Tallahassee and back (without AMTRAK day time service) for everything we need.
Some City officials have wandered in and out, but talking to most ranking officialdom on Duval Street you'd think they've never seen transit or rail solutions to massive port needs.
OCKLAWAHA
JTA is talking with the railroad companies and all three are very much aware of the study. Once the study progresses to the next level, more serious negotiations will begin to take place. The City of Jacksonville as well as FDOT will have to play a significant role as well.
Rep. Lake Ray III is on the transportation comittee.
I hope we can get Lake and the rest on board. The City is where I have NOT BEEN IMPRESSED. Their opportunity has NEVER been better, the studies are onboard in some form or another. The Skyway even has prints to complete most of the lines. The Nation is looking for projects to fund. The Congress is stacked in our favor.
Every bit of interest I have seen from Duval wouldn't amount to a fart in the Graf Zeppelin.
Keep Kicking the knee caps!
OCKLAWAHA
The JAA director goes to the new administration and lobbys for $7 BILLION DOLLARS for JIA and Peyton wants to wipe out JTA's budget. Where are the warriors in this city? Are WE the enemy?
OCKLAWAHA