Why Does Florida Need Amtrak?

Started by Metro Jacksonville, May 21, 2009, 05:10:01 AM

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Metro Jacksonville

May 21, 2009, 05:10:01 AM
Why Does Florida Need Amtrak?



Here are five reasons why Amtrak may be the solution to Florida's commuter and intercity rail problems.

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-may-why-does-florida-need-amtrak

BridgeTroll

#1
May 21, 2009, 06:51:45 AM
Great article... Cmon... Amtrak!
In a boat at sea one of the men began to bore a hole in the bottom of the boat. On being remonstrating with, he answered, "I am only boring under my own seat." "Yes," said his companions, "but when the sea rushes in we shall all be drowned with you."

hightowerlover

#2
May 21, 2009, 08:38:55 AM
tad bit jacksonville-centric dont you think?  how much traffic really goes from jacksonville to ocala to lakeland?

Lunican

#3
May 21, 2009, 08:57:28 AM
You are right. It's Jacksonville-centric because that is how the existing rail lines are set up.

Doctor_K

#4
May 21, 2009, 09:02:08 AM
Of course it's Jax-centric.  You *are* on MetroJacksonville.com, after all. ;)
"Imagination is more important than knowledge. For while knowledge defines all we currently know and understand, imagination points to all we might yet discover and create."  -- Albert Einstein

fsujax

#5
May 21, 2009, 09:16:37 AM
All rails lead to Jacksonville!

Ocklawaha

#6
May 21, 2009, 09:19:08 AM
Considering that we are the 5Th largest rail center in North America, own the largest depot (unused) South of Washington, D.C., and that every passenger rail car from ANYWHERE to Florida will pass within mere feet of our downtown station.... Yep, it's Jacksonville.

OCKLAWAHA

SunKing

#7
May 21, 2009, 09:20:25 AM
I currently drive or fly to either Ft. Lauderdale or Tampa several times a month.  The Southwest flights are always full and frequently delayed.  I would gladly take the rail if available.  There is no reason that there is not a high speed train on the I95 corridor to Miami but Lakeland/Tampa would be well utilized as well.

JeffreyS

#8
May 21, 2009, 11:38:52 AM
Who wrote today's article.
Lenny Smash

Ron Mexico

#9
May 21, 2009, 11:41:21 AM
Would this be done in conjunction with new locomotives, equipment, etc?

I took Amtrak to Tampa last year...it took me 1.5 days to get there after all of the maintenance problems, delays, etc.  I actually had to take a bus the last 100 miles.

They would need an upgrade.
I'm too drunk to eat this chicken - Col Sanders

JaxNole

#10
May 21, 2009, 12:44:41 PM
Could someone PM me with a matter-of-fact (non-emotional) email to send to AMTRAK?  The content should be elevated so as to speak to the target audience: AMTRAK officials.

Included should be rail-impact studies, traffic counts, even cost analyses and respective references.

Thanks.

thelakelander

#11
May 21, 2009, 12:53:13 PM
Quote from: JeffreyS on May 21, 2009, 11:38:52 AM
Who wrote today's article.

The Metro Jacksonville staff.  It was a joint effort in preparation for today's rail workshops.  We sent a few MJ guys down to Orlando to participate in the Florida HSR and Intercity passenger rail workshop today.

"A man who views the world the same at 50 as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life." - Muhammad Ali

thelakelander

#12
May 21, 2009, 12:56:26 PM
Quote from: Ron Mexico on May 21, 2009, 11:41:21 AM
Would this be done in conjunction with new locomotives, equipment, etc?

I took Amtrak to Tampa last year...it took me 1.5 days to get there after all of the maintenance problems, delays, etc.  I actually had to take a bus the last 100 miles.

They would need an upgrade.

An upgrade in service and quality is the goal.  If a statewide corridor system can be established, the problems you described above would be taken care of (at least in Florida).
"A man who views the world the same at 50 as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life." - Muhammad Ali

thelakelander

#13
May 21, 2009, 12:59:37 PM
Quote from: JaxNole on May 21, 2009, 12:44:41 PM
Could someone PM me with a matter-of-fact (non-emotional) email to send to AMTRAK?  The content should be elevated so as to speak to the target audience: AMTRAK officials.

Included should be rail-impact studies, traffic counts, even cost analyses and respective references.

Thanks.

This is something Amtrak would like to do with Florida as a partner.  FDOT, regional transportation authorities and local governments are the entities we need to get on board.  We don't have a form letter right now, but thats something we'll get to work on.
"A man who views the world the same at 50 as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life." - Muhammad Ali

ralpho37

#14
May 21, 2009, 01:44:39 PM
Quote from: thelakelander on May 21, 2009, 12:56:26 PM
Quote from: Ron Mexico on May 21, 2009, 11:41:21 AM
Would this be done in conjunction with new locomotives, equipment, etc?

I took Amtrak to Tampa last year...it took me 1.5 days to get there after all of the maintenance problems, delays, etc.  I actually had to take a bus the last 100 miles.

They would need an upgrade.

An upgrade in service and quality is the goal.  If a statewide corridor system can be established, the problems you described above would be taken care of (at least in Florida).

I don't believe Amtrak has any specific plans to implement new equipment in Florida, but it sounds as if they have an interest in doing so as they did in California.  Amtrak California has unique locomotives and passenger equipment that they do not use elsewhere, and their "interest" in Florida makes it sounds as if they want to do the same here.  Most of Amtrak's difficulties lie in underfunding (ill-repaired equipment, excessive delays, etc.) but luckily they have received additional funds from the federal government so some of these issues may be resolved soon.
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