TriRail funding key to getting bullet train
OUR OPINION: Feds have kept their promise for commuter rail service, now it's up to Florida
http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/story/1255412.html (http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/story/1255412.html)
T rains, buses, subways and all things mass transit will be the hot topics in Orlando this weekend at the American Public Transportation Association's annual conference. These may seem ordinary to the average person, but the quality of infrastructure like mass transit can be the sinew that binds an urban community into a cohesive metropolitan area.
Three of Florida's big urban centers -- Jacksonville, Tampa-St. Petersburg and Orlando -- want to build commuter rail lines like Tri-Rail which serves the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach corridor. Yet Tri-Rail is in peril because the Florida Legislature has yet to approve a dedicated revenue source to match the federal government's $500 million investment in the state's lone commuter rail service.
That funding is an urgent priority because the state needs to prove it's worthy of more federal transportation dollars to build a much vaunted bullet train between Miami, Orlando and Tampa. The Legislature can't afford to dither on Tri-Rail funding any
A bullet train carrying tourists from Miami to Orlando and back would be a boon to South Florida.
Imagine the possibilities. Visitors to Orlando's theme parks could jump on a train and in a couple of hours be sipping mojitos on South Beach or hitting the slots at a South Florida casino, eventually cruising out of Miami to the Caribbean. Business people could catch up on their work while riding the train between the two cities instead of driving bleary-eyed to their destination or hassling with waits at airports.
Such scenarios once were a blue-sky exercise. A lot of promises were made but the numbers didn't add up to make high-speed rail feasible.
T ri-Rail's governing board coped with less money this spring by tapping into its reserve of gas tax money normally used to buy new equipment and improve its stations. Then, fortunately, along came millions of dollars in federal stimulus money to pay for capital improvements. This juggling act allows Tri-Rail to keep 50 trains running daily while simultaneously expanding parking at its facilities and purchasing two new locomotives.
For years Tri-Rail backers have sought a dedicated source of funding. They've come close -- one time getting a funding bill out of the Legislature only to see then-Gov. Jeb Bush veto it -- but their goal remains elusive. Making matters worse, this year the three counties served by the commuter train -- Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach -- cut their annual contributions to Tri-Rail's operations. That forced the budgetary juggling act.
Now two grass-roots transportation groups are taking Tri-Rail's case for dedicated funding straight to legislators, seeking commitments
F aced with a Hobson's choice, state legislators balked at the all-or-nothing option in a bill that would have provided funding for the Tri-Rail commuter service and the proposed Sunrail commuter-train system in Orlando. There was so much wrong with this bill from the Sunrail aspect that it wasn't passed. But that meant leaving Tri-Rail, whose 7,000 ridership has doubled in the last year, without dedicated funding and facing drastic service cuts, if not worse.
The bill would have paid the CSX Inc. $150 million for 61.2 miles of track for Sunrail and $496 million to upgrade CSX facilities, including tracks for freight trains near the Sunrail system. The main critic of the deal, state Sen. Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland, said the $646 million total cost would place it among the highest prices every paid for U.S. rail service -- about $10.5 million per rail mile.
Even worse, the bill would have made the state liable for accidents caused by CSX employees, putting Florida taxpayers at huge risk of giant payouts
T he South Florida Regional Transportation Authority is hosting, not too surprisingly, an annual transportation summit Saturday in Broward County. This year's summit will focus on the role of transportation in the recession as a job creator, in the effort to reduce global warming and in improving the region's global competitiveness. These are big ideas in need of bold solutions. Residents who go can hear what elected officials, industry professionals and government administrators have to say about these issues.
Spend funds judiciously
There has been hope, for instance, that the economic stimulus bill signed by President Barack Obama Tuesday would include dollars for expanding mass transit. By some estimates, the most transportation-related federal stimulus money South Florida will see is around $50 million. That's not a huge amount when it comes to transportation and mass-transit projects, but it is better than nothing and should be spent judiciously.
If Florida is serious about attracting federal dollars to help build a bullet train that would generate jobs for South Florida and millions of dollars from tourists, the state has to first commit to the rail system we already have: TriRail.
Since the commuter train's double-tracking project was completed in 2007, TriRail's been running trains from Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties every 20 minutes during morning and evening rush hour. Ridership soared from 7,500 daily riders in 2005 to around 14,000 today. It has greatly improved its on-time performance and, for its size, become the fastest-growing commuter rail in the country.
In other words, TriRail works. And for an Orlando-Miami bullet train to work for South Florida there must be a viable public transit system for passengers to take once they arrive from Orlando. TriRail is that connector.
But the state hasn't done its part to grow TriRail, which, like all mass transit, needs a dedicated source of revenue. This year, as in the past, Florida lawmakers reneged on approving such funding. The latest proposal was a sensible surcharge on rental cars, which was defeated, but South Florida legislators have promised to bring it back next session.
The three county governments that TriRail serves also reneged on contributing their fare share to the commuter train -- $1 million each for operating costs.
These leadership failures have been disastrous. TriRail has hiked fares 25 percent and cut back service. The federal government, which financed the double tracking, is threatening to pull its funding if the system can't maintain the full service promised after the track project was completed.
Forced to shut down
If the dedicated funding source isn't found, TriRail could be forced to shut down. What a travesty that would be at the same time the state is trying to convince the feds it deserves stimulus money to build a bullet train.
Florida is in the running for billions in federal stimulus dollars to build a bullet train. Of the two available routes, the Orlando to Miami corridor is more financially viable than the Tampa-Orlando line and has the advantage of having mass transit -- TriRail and Metrorail -- at its terminus in Miami.
It's been made perfectly clear that if Florida doesn't fund TriRail officials shouldn't expect bullet-train money. State officials may well hear exactly that when Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood visits Orlando Oct. 5 at the invitation of Rep. Corinne Brown, D-Jacksonville.
Drum up support
Broward and Miami-Dade mayors and commissioners and business leaders need to be at that meeting to drum up support for the Orlando-Miami route, yet some weren't even aware of the meeting when contacted by the Editorial Board last week.
With Mr. LaHood's visit in mind, Ms. Brown visited South Florida during Congress' August recess to rally support for the bullet train and to advocate for a vital link to its success: Tri-Rail funding.
The feds have invested $500 million in TriRail, and they expect the state and local governments to keep their part of the bargain. This is a crucial test for Florida as far as federal transit authorities are concerned.
Once high speed rail looked like a very long shot in Florida. No more. The state can take home the prize -- meaningful federal dollars -- if it backs the right route and proves that it can keep its financial commitments to mass transit. Both would go a long way toward improving the lives of current and future Floridians.
It would be good if South Florida's local governments stepped up instead of cutting their own financial contributions to Tri-Rail. I believe the state should provide more support for Tri-Rail but that extra support should first start at the local level.
Typical Florida Bull Shit. New day, same state. If it doesn't have rubber tires that roll on concrete or asphalt, they're not interested.
OH! But fund our bullet train because we really need the money, jobs, tourism boost. Come to think of it, the Skyway is rubber tires on concrete, but it doesn't qualify because it looks like rail. That opens another can of worms, BUS RAPID TRANSIT, "Just Like Rail - Only Cheaper," "Think rail and Ride the Bus"... Rail is a four letter word in Tallahassee, county levels, and cities in Florida... BRT mentions rail and it's gone! Maybe we have found a way to stop JTA from the downtown BRT nonsense. We don't need a bus freeway on Duval, or Monroe or Jefferson or Broad... Take a note boys, don't mention rail... it's a dirty word.
OCKLAWAHA
Quote from: thelakelander on October 03, 2009, 08:18:10 AM
It would be good if South Florida's local governments stepped up instead of cutting their own financial contributions to Tri-Rail. I believe the state should provide more support for Tri-Rail but that extra support should first start at the local level.
Lakelander that is disingenuous,.........and a distraction of the REAL shame. Remember: They chipped in $1,000,000 dollars for each county. What has the state ever really chipped in?
Ock, It isn't rail that is a dirty word. It is TAX that is the dirty word,.......and conservatives have made it that way. Even to the point where they balk at tourists paying TAX. The rental car tax would have been instituted just in those counties but the state renegged on a dedicated funding source. Shame, shame shame.
The article is right:
QuoteThese leadership failures have been disastrous.
What was it again that one wise man said:
QuoteYou cannot keep doing the same thing and expect different results
Not much point in trying to convince existing leadership to come to their senses. What we need is BETTER leadership. Unfortunately voters don't take their responsibility serious in holding their "representatives" accountable.
Let's just tell the pols that we have a new form of bus. It runs on steel wheels and steers itself. Wonderful new concept for bus rapid, self-steering transit.
Quote from: FayeforCure on October 03, 2009, 10:44:17 AM
Quote from: thelakelander on October 03, 2009, 08:18:10 AM
It would be good if South Florida's local governments stepped up instead of cutting their own financial contributions to Tri-Rail. I believe the state should provide more support for Tri-Rail but that extra support should first start at the local level.
Lakelander that is disingenuous,.........and a distraction of the REAL shame. Remember: They chipped in $1,000,000 dollars for each county. What has the state ever really chipped in?
Why is it disingenuous? You don't think local governments should help fund transit in their communities? If so, we just disagree. I equate mass transit in the same category as parks, schools, the arts, lighting the streets, keeping the sidewalks clean, etc. Local government should help fund all of these things. When it comes to mass transit, I believe all levels of government need to step up to the plate and stop passing the responsibility to others.
Lakelander, I love it how you try to twist my words.
The counties had implemented a dedicated funding source, and done their fair share over the years. But having to come begging at the state level EVERY Year is ludicrous when a state CANNOT partake in BIG PICTURE thinking.
The truth is that the word TAX was enough to get a knee jerk reaction from Republicans in Tallahassee against a dedicated funding source.
Remember Tri-Rail didn't involve any corporate welfare, so it's ok to let it flounder. "Why spend state funds on social welfare anyway?!" is the Republican leadership dogma.
QuoteFriday, May 8, 2009
Tri-Rail to get $20M from 2010 state budgetSouth Florida Business Journal - by Bill Frogameni
With Florida putting the finishing touches on the 2010 budget, Tri-Rail’s future remains uncertain.
Legislators on May 8 allocated about $20 million -- the same amount as last year -- to fund the commuter rail system, but this amount is far short of the $30 million Tri-Rail wanted. What’s more, the Legislature once again failed to establish a $2 surcharge on rental cars, a dedicated source of funding that the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA), Tri-Rail’s parent, has long sought.
Tri-Rail in 2008 had record ridership gains, and fares will go up 25 percent on June 1. But, come Oct. 1, the rail system may still face crippling cuts from Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties, which are fed up with the failure to establish dedicated funding. If one of the counties were to cut its contribution to the minimum level, the others would follow suit and the state would pull back its matching contribution.
“All in all, with the cut we’re anticipating from the counties and the cuts from FDOT, it comes to an $18 million hit,†Tri-Rail spokeswoman Bonnie Arnold said.
The shortfall would result in Tri-Rail reducing service to 30 trains from 50 trains on weekdays, and cutting weekend and holiday service completely, Arnold said.
Since Tri-Rail failed to get dedicated funding this year from the state -- or even more money via the annual allocation -- the counties may make good on their threats to go to minimum funding, Arnold said.
http://southflorida.bizjournals.com/southflorida/stories/2009/05/04/daily84.html?t=printable
Lake...all 3 counties do fund Tri-Rail...all they have done is say they can't continue to do so when the State Legislature won't let them find a dedicated revenue source....this seems fair to me.
Quote from: FayeforCure on October 03, 2009, 10:44:17 AM
Ock, It isn't rail that is a dirty word. It is TAX that is the dirty word,.......and conservatives have made it that way. Even to the point where they balk at tourists paying TAX. The rental car tax would have been instituted just in those counties but the state renegged on a dedicated funding source. Shame, shame shame.
Faye, FINALLY... God !(*$&@*(( , The earth won't end in 2012 folks, it will be TONIGHT, FINALLY! Geeze! Faye! Damn!
FINALLY SOMETHING WE AGREE ON 100%... (is there a number higher then that?_) LOL
See I'm not so mean afterall. OCKLAWAHA
Quote from: tufsu1 on October 03, 2009, 09:48:37 PM
Lake...all 3 counties do fund Tri-Rail...all they have done is say they can't continue to do so when the State Legislature won't let them find a dedicated revenue source....this seems fair to me.
I'm aware that they do fund Tri-Rail. However, I would like to see them put back the money they cut out, in addition to the state providing additional funding.
Well this is the first that I have heard about tri rail! If the counties involved are doing their part as to funding then the state needs to do their part.............local level can not do it all. Florida needs to step up and do its part.....really nice that Charlie signed that transportation bill, but there was no funding in it regarding tri rail!
Quote from: Ocklawaha on October 03, 2009, 10:02:52 PM
Quote from: FayeforCure on October 03, 2009, 10:44:17 AM
Ock, It isn't rail that is a dirty word. It is TAX that is the dirty word,.......and conservatives have made it that way. Even to the point where they balk at tourists paying TAX. The rental car tax would have been instituted just in those counties but the state renegged on a dedicated funding source. Shame, shame shame.
Faye, FINALLY... God !(*$&@*(( , The earth won't end in 2012 folks, it will be TONIGHT, FINALLY! Geeze! Faye! Damn!
FINALLY SOMETHING WE AGREE ON 100%... (is there a number higher then that?_) LOL
See I'm not so mean afterall.
OCKLAWAHA
Glad to see we can agree on this,...........I'm sure there is a lot more we could agree on too ;)
In case no one noticed ....I would suggest you really look at your tax bill! Don't know about you but I had no say in the "Inland waterway" tax which for me is about $2.35! This comes on your House Tax Bill............all they had to do is tax us for transit system upkeep and go from there. We can not keep taxing bed's and the like or no one will be coming to our tourism oriented state.
Every city I have visited has a bed tax...usually it is in the 8-12% range
And the reason you see higher property taxes in FL is becuase we don't have an income tax....would you like that instead?
tufsu1 I agree! Having traveled all over the USA .....I can attest to "Bed" taxes are prevalent everwhere! Not sure that I agree with that since I am working in the area and on a very fixed budget......even cheap rooms can be expensive if your there for several weeks. Tax situation still perplexes me since I have nothing to do with water navigation or work on water. USCG takes care of all navigation aids, Corp takes care of inland waterway as to dredging so why am I paying for something that I do not use.........don't even live near water but yet I pay! Tourist's can not pay for it all.......I can see a fair share if they are there for vacation and the like but what about working slobs like me?
and I don't have school children....does that mean I shouldn't have to pay school taxes?