AAF - Tampa wants it before Jacksonville

[spuwho]

According to the Tampa Tribune, they want AAF before Jacksonville. Jacksonville has been mentioned prominently in transportation planning meetings in Hillsborough County.

Tampa wants All Aboard Florida rails to run its way

TAMPA — Tampa lost a chance to enhance travel and economic development links with Orlando when Gov. Rick Scott in 2011 declined $2.4 billion in federal funding to build the first leg of a high-speed rail project between the two cities, with later plans to reach Miami.

Some residents and officials accepted news last year of a privately funded, conventional passenger train proposal between Miami and Orlando as consolation of sorts, because All Aboard Florida officials indicated their project eventually could be extended to Tampa.

But recently, Tampa Bay area business and elected officials report hearing some disconcerting buzz .

While plans for the new Miami-Orlando trains are on target to begin service in late 2015, local officials worry a second phase of the project could bypass Tampa for an Orlando-Jacksonville route.

If All Aboard Florida ultimately reaches Tampa, it would strengthen Interstate 4 corridor ties, but a competitive factor is involved as well. The new passenger railroad is providing a boost to Orlando International Airport, which will become the state's first airport with a train station and a direct rail connection, in an agreement signed Wednesday.

The concern over falling behind with All Aboard Florida has created a sense of urgency among local invitees to a regional transportation summit scheduled Thursday in Tampa.

The session Hillsborough County Commissioner Mark Sharpe organized months ago to discuss transportation advancements along the Interstate 4 corridor, one of the nation's 10 so-called "mega-regions" due to its population and strong prospects for growth, has taken on an additional focus, Sharpe said.

"I've heard about Jacksonville from many different sources, one of the latest during talks at a (local) transportation subcommittee meeting," said Sharpe, a former U.S. Navy intelligence officer.

full article: http://tbo.com/news/business/tampa-wants-all-aboard-florida-rails-to-run-its-way-20131003/

[thelakelander]

Well Jax does have something in its favor that Tampa does not.  The track already runs to Jax and is owned by FEC. Nevertheless, it's nice to see their leaders worried enough about it to start lobbying for things to go their way.   I wonder if our leaders care enough about this to do the same?

[Ocklawaha]

I got this straight from the mayor and city council: ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

[icarus]

I'd agree with you Lakelander but I think Ock said it best.

Tampa wants this and will probably plan for it .. not to mention roll out the red carpet. They already have the track to Jacksonville but I'm not sure if our Council has even considered or planned for anything beyond next week.

[JeffreyS]

Clearly the higher ups in Tampa have not spoken with the higher ups in JAX.  I think Jax makes more sense as the next stop but when AAF asks to speak to our leaders and it doesn't involve a tractor trailer or a boat they won't get a meeting.

Now if you want the city to put in a road, utilities and fill in swamp land for a strip mall 20 miles from anywhere you got it.

Seriously it is nice to be mentioned.

[urbaknight]

I am 100% certain that our leaders will not pursue anything. They want us to just keep on driving.

[thelakelander]

Maybe the AAF train can install LED scoreboards on the sides of it, include a few pools and change the color scheme to teal?  That will surely generate support.

[Ocklawaha]

Clearly the higher ups in Tampa have not spoken with the higher ups in JAX.  I think Jax makes more sense as the next stop but when AAF asks to speak to our leaders and it doesn't involve a tractor trailer or a boat they won't get a meeting.

Now if you want the city to put in a road, utilities and fill in swamp land for a strip mall 20 miles from anywhere you got it.

Seriously it is nice to be mentioned.

You left out the requisite shotgun rack and giant tires. 

[tufsu1]

I will be attedning the summit in Tampa next week and will gladly report back.

As to city leaders doing nothing, I know for fact that folks at JTA have been speaking with AAF. 

And two of the top people at AAF will be speaking in Jax.next week....heck, one of them lives here!

[spuwho]

I will be attedning the summit in Tampa next week and will gladly report back.

As to city leaders doing nothing, I know for fact that folks at JTA have been speaking with AAF. 

And two of the top people at AAF will be speaking in Jax.next week....heck, one of them lives here!

Please do.  I would like to hear a perspective that isn't driven by the press. Much appreciated.

[JeffreyS]

When AAF guys speaking Jax would be open to the public and when is it?

[thelakelander]

I believe it's on Tuesday and it's a WTS event. I have some information on it that I'll try and post later today. I meant to post it the other day but I had a death in the family that's resulted in me going back to Central Florida for a few days.

[ChriswUfGator]

I believe it's on Tuesday and it's a WTS event. I have some information on it that I'll try and post later today. I meant to post it the other day but I had a death in the family that's resulted in me going back to Central Florida for a few days.

My condolences, Ennis.

[tufsu1]

sorry for your loss Ennis.

Here's the info. for the Tuesday lunch event....and remember, APA Florida is screening the film "Trainsofrming America" Tuesday evening at 6pm @ Sun Ray Cinema...its kind of a double header day

All Aboard Florida - A new passenger rail option

Florida East Coast Industries (FECI) is developing a new, convenient, cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to travel between South and Central Florida in just under three hours. At the Oct. 8 WTS Northeast Florida luncheon program, Husein Cumber, FECI executive vice president, Corporate Development and Ali Soule, All Aboard Florida public affairs manager, will update attendees about this premier passenger rail service to begin by the end of 2015.

All Aboard Florida will provide travelers with an escape to ever increasing highway congestion and costly delays utilizing 195 miles of an existing, active rail corridor located along the eastern portion of Florida and 40 new route miles that will connect Cocoa and the Orlando International Airport. The route will include stations in Miami and Orlando with intermediate stops in Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. Each station will also have intermodal connectivity options, like connections to existing and future transit systems, rental cars and car sharing programs.

Ali and Husein will provide an overview on the project, rail service amenities, station locations and upcoming milestones for the service.

In addition to the environmental benefits, All Aboard Florida will create tens of thousands of new construction and permanent jobs. The service will be privately owned, operated and maintained with zeros risk to Florida taxpayers.

When: Tuesday, Oct. 8, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Where: FDOT Training Center, 2198 Edison Avenue, Jacksonville
Complimentary parking
Cost: Members, $15; Nonmembers, $25 with reservations. Walk-ins add $5.

Reservations close at noon October 7.  For more information and to RSVP 

http://www.wtsevents.org/chapter/NortheastFlorida/

[jcjohnpaint]

Sorry for your loss Lake