The Silver Rail Blog

Residents of Tampa and Hillsborough County can learn more about the issues surrounding the upcoming local referendum on transit and transportation by reading the following excellent article by the Tampa Tribune's Ted Jackovics:

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/oct/01/041355/both-sides-of-hillsborough-transit-tax-issue-see-e/

FCRP encourages its members who are Hillsborough County residents to vote YES on this referendum on Election Day.

--Jackson McQuigg

Welcome news in Tampa.

And although it won't benefit either the station or its existing rail passengers directly, the press conference took place at Tampa Union Station!

http://www.tampabay.com/news/transportation/tampa-wins-12-million-federal-grant-to-plan-transit-oriented-development/1129614

--Jackson McQuigg

Good news for Florida Auto Train Passengers:

http://www.examiner.com/train-travel-in-national/amtrak-opens-new-sanford-auto-train-station

--Jackson McQuigg

It has been reported around Jacksonville that Yost is running ahead of
Brown in District 3.  Hard to imagine since  District 3 is heavily Democrat.

If you want to continue with any passenger rail in/out of Florida, I suggest a vote against changing district 3 boundaries, which are, yes,
gerrymandered, but it helps US.

Also, if you live in District 3, a vote for Corinne Brown is a vote for passenger rail, otherwise------

Yesterday, President Obama announced a new initiative for rebuilding America's infrastructure, including the creation of an "infrastructure bank" which would support all modes, including rail.

More information on this exciting news can be found on the President's website:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/10/11/president-infrastructure-investment-work-needs-be-done-there-are-workers-who-are-rea

--Jackson McQuigg

As this article from Channel 10 in the Tampa Bay area suggests, the outlook for high speed rail in Florida might be changed dramatically but what happens on Election Day in November.

Other rail projects could also be in jeopardy, depending on the outcome.

--Jackson McQuigg

As the Tampa Bay Business Journal  reports, there are "must-see" exhibits in the Tampa area right now.

Siemens high speed rail equipment is on display at the Museum of Science & Industry near the University of South Florida.

And a new exhibit at the Tampa Bay History Center in Downtown Tampa entitled, "From The Orange Blossom Special to High Speed Rail: Train Travel In Tampa Bay" opens this weekend.

--Jackson McQuigg  

The New Republic Magazine raises a good question: Why are Republican candidates making support for passenger rail a "red vs. blue" issue this November election cycle?

http://www.tnr.com/blog/jonathan-cohn/78154/republicans-oppose-hi-speed-rail-funding-stimulus

--Jackson McQuigg

http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/local/as-tampa-preps-for-rail-st-petersburgs-mayor-grouses-about-getting-left/1122368

--Jackson McQuigg

This article from the New York Times chronicles a rising anti-passenger rail sentiment now making itself known on the campaign trail as the November elections approach.

One of the politicians cited in the article? Republican Florida Gubernatorial candidate Rick Scott.

--Jackson McQuigg