SunRail: The Great Train Robbery of 2009

[FayeforCure]

So you're for it now?

Hopefully you understand that we could have renegotiated the deal to save tax-payer monies, as the original deal was constructed in a boom economy:

Not everyone was on board, however. Among the "no" votes was Sen. Nan Rich, D-Weston, who called the bill a bad deal. For the Orlando commuter line, the state is paying CSX $432 million for 61.5 miles of track and shielding the private company from some lawsuits in the event of a train crash.

But they wouldn't give an inch to meet opponents on their concerns.

It took an 11th hour concession on the labor issue to make passage possible, but up until the very end NOTHING gave. It definitely wasn't a good faith effort to address the REAL concerns that the Sunrail deal was far over-priced. As you said it was either a bad deal or no deal.

We now have a bad deal that was ONLY passed because they were real close to losing it AGAIN, so they rolled out the 11th hour concession.

[thelakelander]

So is it safe to assume you won't be on the first Sunrail train that leaves the station?  Politics played a role in getting it delayed in the past two sessions so them playing a role in getting it passed is not suprising.

[FayeforCure]

So is it safe to assume you won't be on the first Sunrail train that leaves the station?  Politics played a role in getting it delayed in the past two sessions so them playing a role in getting it passed is not suprising.

Politics should never be a stale-mate. It definitely was for Sunrail supporters who were never willing to renegotiate the bad deal.

Of course I would like to be on the first Sunrail train that leaves the station. First however I will be riding the trains in Europe in a few days from now.

[thelakelander]

It (politics) should not be.  They also shouldn't be a higher priority than the actual needs of the general public, but they typically are.  Have fun in Europe and get some good pics.

[Ocklawaha]

Sunrail, however it gets on the ground is going to carry more passengers daily then Ratrail ever will, unless they make changes:

1. Get it off exclusive right-of-way as it enters Orlando and Tampa

2. Get it into the regular Amtrak Station in Tampa, and the Lynx Station in Orlando

3. Move the route to pass THROUGH the Cities, not around them

4. Forget MCO or TPA, both should be tied to Ratrail via LRT

Those things done, it would have a real chance to carry passengers in record numbers. I'm just glad they finally got off their wallets for RAIL just on general principles. Now let's completely cut all FDOT associations with CUTR at USF and this state would start looking green again.


OCKLAWAHA

[JeffreyS]

It has to go back to the House now with the changes that won't sit well with the republicans.

[tufsu1]

Ock....the chances of the HSR route changing dramatically at this point are very slim...and for the final time, it goes into downtown Tampa (not what I would call around the city) and it doesn't go to TPA!

[CS Foltz]

It does go to OIA does it now?

[tufsu1]

yes CS it goes to MCO...but Ock mentioned both MCO and TPA

[Ocklawaha]

Ock....the chances of the HSR route changing dramatically at this point are very slim...and for the final time, it goes into downtown Tampa (not what I would call around the city) and it doesn't go to TPA!

FLORIDA'S HIGH SPEED RAIL ADVENTURE
http://www.youtube.com/v/coUsbKWR3sk&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca&border=1

I didn't say it did go to TPA, merely that they should FORGET ever building it to TPA and MCO, be satisfied to connect them to Ratrail with Streetcar and Light Rail. Also the route DOES go around the west and/or south side of Orlando, and it goes around every other town until it hits the Tampa City Limits, at some points being nearly 5-10 miles from the intermediate towns. The placement of the Stations AND the maintenance facilities, is at the corner of Nowhere and Stupid.

If we are giving away Jaguar tickets for the final games, then FDOT better plan on giving them away on this "super train" IF it's ever built. As it is now routed, if I would have stayed in Heathrow, FL. it would be easier for me to DRIVE to Tampa, and a damn sight cheaper. We can hope and pray that the USDOT, FTA, FRA and every other agency decide that this is a no go, in a non rail state. The apologists for High Speed Rail sound more like JTA just before the Skyway was built, by the day, it would be funny if it wasn't so pathetic.

TUFSU1 these boys remind me of Lakelander, Lunican, you and myself trying to operate a "Ballet Company." Maybe CUTR is at the bottom of all of the wild claims and plans, if they are, they'll go down in flames along with Ratrail. In fact this plan is so bad, I might be temped to join them in promoting an alternate "High Speed BRT!" If there was ever a case of "Just like rail only cheaper..." this is it.

OCKLAWAHA