The Silver Rail Blog

From the Daytona Beach News-Journal:

http://www.news-journalonline.com/news/local/west-volusia/2010/12/23/florida-dot-closes-on-track-transfer-deal-for-sunrail.html

--Jackson McQuigg

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2010-12-17/news/os-ed-high-speed-rail-121710-20101216_1_high-speed-rail-orlando-tampa-route-high-speed-project

--Jackson McQuigg

Will Governor-Elect Rick Scott accept the federal funds which have been allocated for high speed rail?

When asked today, his answer was noncommittal.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/dec/10/101224/scotts-jobs-tour-arrives-in-tampa-today/news-breaking/

--Jackson McQuigg

Since the new Governors of Ohio and Florida have decided not to support the planned high speed rail projects in their states, the federal dollars directed to projects there have been redirected to other states.

Florida is a beneficiary of this move. News release from USDOT: http://www.dot.gov/affairs/2010/dot20810.html 

--Jackson McQuigg

Good news for SunRail! Amtrak and FDOT have reached an agreement on liability concerns.

Read about it in the Orlando Sentinel: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-amtrak-sunrail-20101208,0,1745329.story

--Jackson McQuigg

Author and conservative Bill Lind has an intriguing argument.

Are the large costs of high speed rail giving ammunition to those who oppose all forms of improved passenger rail and transit?

Read his column in The American Conservative magazine here. 

Comments welcomed.

--Jackson McQuigg

Rick Scott is asking for ideas on his Florida 2.0 so click on the link and submit your ideas. Please be careful about statements such as being a representative of FCRP, let them know you are a member and here are your ideas. I let them know we need trains with frequent service for all of Florida including the west coast down to Ft Myers etc..

http://www.scotttransition.com/send-your-ideas/

Thanks everyone, lets see if we can make a difference.

Stephen Sayles
Presiden FCRP

From Railway Age magazine:

http://www.railwayage.com/breaking-news/amtrak-sncf-bechtel-to-bid-for-florida-hsr-dbom.html

--Jackson McQuigg

For supporters of Florida's high speed rail project, recent comments by Congressman John Mica are a point of concern.

For instance, Mica is disappointed by the failure of the local option of sales tax in the Tampa area and is suggesting that high speed rail be built in phases instead, according to this article in the Orlando Sentinel. 

Instead a first phase could be, he says, Orlando International Airport to Walt Disney World.

Meanwhile, candidates for Mayor of Tampa are saying that they will not push for light rail transit or a transportation tax, as current Mayor Pam Iorio did, according to the Tampa Tribune. Mayor Iorio, who has been a promoter of passenger rail and transit, cannot run for reelection due to term limits.

--Jackson McQuigg