Tampa train travelers to gain some comfort

By TED JACKOVICS

tjackovics@tampatrib.com

Amtrak passengers using Tampa's Union Station will benefit from a $1.6
million federal stimulus allocation to improve the aging canopy over the
tracks and upgrade the platform to comply with Amtrak and Americans with
Disabilities Act standards.

Overall, Amtrak is getting $1.3 billion of the $787 billion American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds for a variety of programs, including
$49.2 million in Florida.

The Auto Train station in Sanford will get more than $10 million for
renovations to a station that can only accommodate between 15 percent
and 25 percent of its passengers.

In the past year, Amtrak's ridership has set national records. Tampa
serves one-third of the passengers who travel on the daily Silver Star
between New York and Miami.

Among projects nationwide is a $20.1 million restoration of the
historical train station in Wilmington, Del., Amtrak's 11th-busiest
facility.

That project was advertised in August, before the station's most famous
frequent passenger, former U.S. Sen. Joe Biden, was elected vice
president, Amtrak spokeswoman Karina Romero said.

"I'm tired of apologizing for Amtrak," Biden said in March when he
announced Amtrak's stimulus package, pointing out that highways and air
systems get higher subsidies.