Tampa Tells Orlando: Let Us Do It with Light Rail

[FayeforCure]

Tampa Tells Orlando: Let Us Do It
Posted on 07 September 2009.


from Tampa Bay Online

Plans for light rail in Hillsborough County are becoming more detailed as local officials get closer to asking taxpayers to pay for it.

The latest proposal envisions 40 miles of track, implemented in stages beginning with a downtown Tampa-University of South Florida route by 2018.

Four more light rail segments are proposed to serve downtown Tampa-West Shore in 2021, New Tampa in 2024, Linebaugh Avenue in the northwest by 2027 and Brandon in 2032.

This post was written by:
floridan - who has written 24 posts on Florida News Network.




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http://floridanewsnetwork.com/2009/09/07/tampa-tells-orlando-let-us-do-it/

[FayeforCure]

Turanchik will be in Orlando today for a ceremony regarding his group’s attempts to  bring light rail to Florida. Today marks the deadline for the 2nd round of applications for receiving federal stimulus funds for the program.

http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/10/03/will-kendrick-meek-be-challenged-in-dem-primary/

[thelakelander]

I think this blog meant to say high speed rail instead of light rail.  Stimulus funds aren't being used to bring LRT to Florida. You might want to shoot the creator a message to keep readers from being confused.

[FayeforCure]

I think this blog meant to say high speed rail instead of light rail.  Stimulus funds aren't being used to bring LRT to Florida. You might want to shoot the creator a message to keep readers from being confused.

So true. I initially thought they did mean LIGHT SPEED RAIL because both Tampa and Orlando are also working on LRT, but I went back to the Connectus website and it's all about HSR.

Reporters are often not as informed as you'd like them to be.

[Ocklawaha]

Hey Lake, maybe that faux pas with Light Rail, is an idea... The Pacific Electric had 1200 miles of track in Southern California, and many routes as long as Orlando-Tampa. That would also allow for expansions into downtown's, suburban stations, and satellite urban centers. Sort of like turning the clock backwards to get forward...

Naw, never work in Florida because it would require thought!


OCKLAWAHA

[CS Foltz]

Ock...........I know it won't in Jacksonville..............said it before, no vision, no plan and I would say it again but flogging a deceased mule..........but hay, JTA is going to get us some new bus's. Still have heard nothing further about changing routes and the like. Saw the Skyway in operation yesterday at Prime Osburn, was filled up with about 4 people in it............like wow!

[Ocklawaha]

Well the Skyway could certainly do better with a little creativity, late night and weekend service. Plus of course it needs to reach about 4 miles more, about one mile each: North, East, Southeast, Southwest.

I noted that the TPO plan and the "recent action" grants JTA is seeking is the same old blow it through downtown BRT.

Here is another BRT FACT, everyone should know:
Build any rail system, (I'll even toss in the Skyway) from where the people are to where they are going, and you'll have not only a building boom, which will equal success, but you'll have a choice to drive or ride a bus or take the train.

Build ANY BRT system, (I'll even toss in Bogota, and Curitiba) from where the people are to where they are going and you'll have a couple less traffic lanes, and you'll be able to ride a bus. Sounds like something we need to spend a Billion on doesn't it?

Let's try this:


This is your basic Light Rail Transit


This is your basic city bus in Jacksonville


This is your basic BRT bus in Jacksonville minus a BILLION dollars



OCKLAWAHA

[CS Foltz]

Very nice picture of one of the new bus's that JTA is spouting about...........they can keep them as far as I am concerned! Overpriced and polluting vehicles......need more bus's we do ! Yeah right!

[tufsu1]

Why are they overpriced...do you know that JTA paid more than they should have?

[FayeforCure]

Why are they overpriced...do you know that JTA paid more than they should have?

tufsu1, was there cronyism going on?

[CS Foltz]

tufsu1.......TU had an article regarding bus cost per unit.......600K plus, if I remember correctly......multiply that by 10 and I come up 6 very large million! Seems a bit pricey for me especially since no bus routes have been changed or upgraded and we are still looking for a simple bus shelter, with or without advertising! That's my tax dollars being used and no one discussed the situation with me! JTA Budget was passed by the Council with no discussion and as it was presented.........JEA also! Now you are going to tell me that there is no waste in both organizations?

[tufsu1]

Do you have knowledge of how much buses like this cost in other cities?

[CS Foltz]

No I don't...........but fixing to find out and will post what I come up with!