10/17/10: MOVING AWAY FROM THE CAR CULTURE

Does Orlando's future include European-style train network?

By Dan Tracy, ORLANDO SENTINEL

October 15, 2010

With both a commuter and high-speed train on the way, Orlando is on the verge of emulating Europe, where mass-transit options abound.

If my recent trip is any indication, car-happy Central Floridians could discover that traveling by train is a pleasant alternative.

My journey involved two weeks in Europe and England, and my wife and I traveled extensively there. All of our major trips, six to be exact, were by train. All were on time, clean, comfortable, safe and cheaper than travel by car.

Still, critics maintain Orlando residents won't ride the trains, which include SunRail, scheduled to start rolling in 2013. A commuter system, SunRail, will link DeBary in Volusia County with downtown Orlando and Sand Lake Road in south Orange County. A high-speed train set to debut in 2015 will connect Orlando International Airport with Tampa.

Christine Kefauver, Orlando's top transportation adviser, thinks residents will ride the trains, as long as the trains follow Europe's lead and are affordable, on time and safe.

"It has to be as user-friendly as possible," Kefauver said.

John Robert Smith, president of Reconnecting America, a pro-transit nonprofit based in Washington, D.C., is optimistic, too. He predicts that higher gasoline prices and an aging population will help make the Orlando trains a success.

"People are looking for choice," he said.

Both advocates point to Europe as a place where trains and mass transit have been successful for decades, carrying tens of millions of people annually.

"They've got it down pat," said Smith, the former Republican mayor of Meridian, Miss.

On our trip, we started out in Brussels, Belgium, and visited Amsterdam in the Netherlands, Bruges in Belgium, London, Leicester, England, and Paris. Most of the rides were on commuter trains, which stopped at several cities, just like SunRail.

One trip, from Paris to Brussels, was on the high-speed Thalys, which is capable of going 186 mph and made the 162-mile trip in less than an hour and 20 minutes. The Thalys, booked literally at the last moment, was the most expensive ticket, costing $120 apiece.

Nazih Haddad, who is heading up the state's effort to build a high-speed train, said the Thalys is similar to what is envisioned for Central Florida. It is electric and runs on steel rails.

"That's what we are looking for," Haddad said, who estimates the 84-mile trip from Orlando to Tampa could take 55 minutes.

All told, we traveled more than 1,000 miles by train at a total cost of $752. The rental charge for a compact, standard-transmission car for two weeks would have been around $600. We likely would have spent more than $300 on gas, depending on the exchange rate, and if we had averaged 25 miles per gallon.

We also would have had to pay for parking, which often ran $25 a night, and anywhere from $55 to $200 for a roundtrip ferry ticket from France to England. The estimated total expense for a car: about $1,200, or $448 more than the trains.

Then there was the stress factor. On the train, all we had to do was make sure we got off at the right stop. We could sleep, read, watch the passing countryside or relax.

Driving a car, especially on narrow, unfamiliar roads, would have been a much more disconcerting experience. And in England, there would have been the added tension from driving on the left side of the road.

Yet, train opponents in Central Florida say residents here aren't willing to give up the convenience of their cars and trucks and that development in the area is too spread out for mass transit to work.

There is no doubt that Europe is more densely populated. Brussels, for instance, has nearly 900 people per square mile. Metro Orlando, conversely, comes in around 400 people per square mile.

And throughout Europe, there is a large network of subways, buses, trams and taxis that serve the train depots. Orlando and environs will have to build a support system largely from scratch.

Trains, of course, have crisscrossed Europe for longer than cars have dominated the Orlando landscape. Just about every major city and many minor ones in Europe are linked by trains, fast and slow moving.

But Kefauver and Smith argue the trains coming to Orlando are supposed to be just the start of regional mass transit. They liken them to the interstate system that was started in the 1950s and took decades to complete.

The high-speed train is supposed to link up with Miami at some point, and there are several other routes that are planned to connect to SunRail.

"It's a progressive, evolutionary process," Kefauver said. "We're getting something and we are starting the process."

And I thought it was all about congestion on I-4...it's about changing our culture...and using our money to do it. Norm Erickson

1/26:

Another SunRail obstable (spell check, Sentinel? - Norm)

The gist: Officials with the state and Amtrak need to speedily resolve their differences on commuter rail.

We told you last month — on Dec. 9, to be exact — that at long last, Florida was about to become a passenger-rail leader.

That beginning in 2012, commuters could board SunRail, a commuter service that eventually would stretch from DeLand to Poinciana.

That perhaps they also might get to ride a high-speed-rail system running from Tampa to Orlando and eventually Miami. And that one day, commuters in Tampa and Jacksonville might get where they want to go aboard commuter systems serving their cities.

We said all that because on their third try, state lawmakers finally approved legislation making SunRail a reality and other passenger-train systems possible.

They managed it because state transportation officials finally got organized labor to abandon its opposition.

Because the thousands of jobs SunRail and the other systems could create finally proved too much for some opposing lawmakers to refuse.

And because the state and freight-train operator CSX, which is selling the state its train tracks, finally came to terms on how they'd apportion blame and liability in case of accidents.

If, despite all that, you still suspected the trains might not run, well, you might be right.

SunRail's been targeted by more would-be assassins than those riding the Orient Express. And now, this time, it's in Amtrak's sights.

Making matters worse, the state has aided and abetted the problem.

Amtrak, you see, also runs on the same track that SunRail will use. And though SunRail entered into an agreement with CSX over responsibility if there's a crash between the commuter and freight operators, SunRail didn't reach one with passenger-carrier Amtrak.

It needed to. That's according to the Federal Transit Administration, which let Florida Department of Transportation officials know in 2008 that they had to execute all rail agreements — meaning between it and CSX and Amtrak — to be eligible for federal funding. That includes $179 million for SunRail's first construction phase extending from DeBary to Sand Lake Road.

State transportation officials contend they're confused about how Amtrak could expect the same liability protections the state fashioned with SunRail. Amtrak, after all, has operated trains without them on tracks it shares with Tri-Rail commuter trains in South Florida. And for 10 years. The state says Amtrak's just trying to create fear.

Amtrak, which for years has depended on lawmakers to keep its trains running, seems miscast to play the part of the villain who would keep another train service from getting the funding it needs.

And it's presumptuous that it might think it's entitled to the same no-fault liability agreement the state reached with CSX.

But the state had years to come to an agreement with Amtrak. It's unconscionable that it hasn't.

The state and Amtrak need to stop blaming the other and reach an accord — without delay. If they don't, SunRail might not run. And neither might high-speed rail in Florida.

Speculation's rampant that President Obama this week will announce Florida's getting federal funding to build a high-speed-rail system. But getting it was predicated on Florida also building SunRail.

Officials need to make a deal with Amtrak. Too much is riding on Florida's transportation future for them to fail.

12/20: DIDN'T WE GO THROUGH THIS A FEW YEARS AGO WITH HOME-BUYING: PURCHASE NOW...FIGURE OUT HOW TO PAY LATER...RESULT: DISASTER.

Ensure SunRail's future

The gist: Officials must find a way to fund trains long term

ORLANDO SENTINEL EDITORIAL

DECEMBER 20, 2009

After working three long years to get the Legislature to sign off on a deal to bring SunRail to metro Orlando, the commuter line's most ardent supporters know when it comes to mass transit in Florida, there are no free rides.

That won't change, now that officials are turning their attention to running the trains. Beginning in 2012, they'll travel from DeBary to Sand Lake Road, and later north to DeLand and south to Poinciana.

Seven counties and cities along the commuter line — Osceola, Orange, Seminole, Volusia, Orlando, Winter Park and Maitland — actually won't have to pay to operate or maintain the trains for seven years. The state will, and passengers will pay their share. It's expected they'll pay about $2.50 to ride in one county and perhaps $1 for each additional county.

But after seven years, SunRail's government partners need to ante up. If they don't work now to figure out how they'll pay to run the trains then, SunRail will be en route to profoundly disappoint the thousands of riders who by then will have come to depend on it. (Remember, the state had 7 years to prepare for the classroom size amendment...they have NOT...instead they simply want to repeal the voter approved constitutional amendment - Norm)

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer doesn't sound that concerned. Seven years is a long time to adjust one's budget and look for funding sources, he says.

Local governments failed for years to establish a funding source capable of sustaining Tri-Rail, however. Consequently that line, serving 13,000 commuters daily from Miami to West Palm Beach, came close to going belly up this year — and paying Washington back $256 million it invested in the system.

Tri-Rail got an 11th hour reprieve only because state lawmakers agreed to float it as much as $15 million a year as part of the legislation bringing SunRail to Central Florida. But the legislation doesn't call for the state handing SunRail a dime to help it operate, after its first seven years of service.

Lynx, the bus outfit serving Osceola, Orange and Seminole counties, gets money each year from its government partners. But the failure of local officials year after year after year to agree to dedicate funds to the carrier caused it to go on life support last year. Orange County commissioners spurned a reasonable call for dedicating a penny gasoline tax for Lynx.

Without a dedicated funding source, Lynx had to cut service and increase fares 33 percent. Still hobbled, it streamlined more than a dozen routes and began taking steps to mothball Sunday or evening service, and door-to-door service for non-ambulatory patrons.

Its riders are being spared those hits mainly because Lynx, too, got a reprieve — $30 million over two years from the federal stimulus package. But after that gift (gift? it's money from the people! - Norm) runs out, Lynx again will be trolling for dollars or radically cutting service. Unless officials provide it with a dedicated funding source.

Local officials could, irresponsibly, rely on a reprieve for SunRail. They could provide service for seven years, then hope SunRail draws the same hand that brought Tri-Rail its needed lifeline from the state.

Or they could assure its long-term survival with a dedicated funding source (Read: Taxes are going up, up, and away - Norm) . To its credit, MetroPlan, which sets transportation policy for Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties, is working with them and Orlando and Volusia County to develop a regional funding source. Not just for SunRail, but for Lynx and potentially other public transportation services.

Their effort's encouraging, though its details need to be worked out and properly vetted. What regional officials mustn't do is what too often comes naturally to them — talk about making commitments to mass transit, but, in the end, offer up nothing. (Commitments to SunRail will be: taxes, subsidies to developers to build, taxes, pork, density to the tune of 35-45 units per acres and pissing away more money than the participants at the 2009 Vitamin Expo in Seattle - Norm)

11/30:

SunRail special session to start Thursday

AFL-CIO comes out against commuter rail for metro Orlando

TALLAHASSEE — State lawmakers agreed Monday to hold a special session starting this week to decide the fate not only of the SunRail commuter train planned for metro Orlando but the future of rail travel throughout Florida.

"We are seeking nothing less than an investment in Florida's future by creating the foundation from which rail transit can become a viable transportation alternative for Florida's citizens, tourists and businesses," Senate President Jeff Atwater, R-North Palm Beach, said Monday.

The most pressing question now facing Atwater is whether he can gather enough votes to win in the 40-member Senate, which twice has rejected SunRail, most recently this spring. The special session will start Thursday morning and likely continue into next week. The House is expected to support SunRail, as it has in the past.

One serious problem facing Atwater is the opposition of Florida's most powerful union, the AFL-CIO. It came out Monday against SunRail after its leaders previously indicated they might support the $1.2 billion project.

AFL-CIO support is crucial in winning the backing of several wavering Democrats. Without the union, the vote could become perilously close to approve a liability agreement necessary for SunRail to operate.

"That union support or nonsupport is huge, because everyone from South Florida is running for higher office," said Sen. Chris Smith, D-Fort Lauderdale, and a SunRail backer.

But one North Florida Democrat, Senate Minority Leader Al Lawson of Tallahassee, who recently came out in favor of the rail deal, said the package represented too many new jobs to be ignored.

"I'm not sure the unions want to kill these jobs and kill these dollars coming to Florida," said Lawson, a candidate for the U.S. House. "We need to be putting people to work."

Atwater on Monday unveiled highlights of a proposed bill that would include the SunRail insurance pact and funding for the cash-strapped Tri-Rail commuter train in South Florida. SunRail and Tri-Rail backers have banded together for the session because neither side has the votes to win alone.

The latest SunRail compact, Atwater said, reduces the risk for the state, which would purchase tracks for the train from the CSX railroad in Jacksonville.

The plan also would create the Florida Rail Enterprise, which would oversee a statewide approach to passenger trains. No new positions would be created and no money would be spent on the board, Atwater promised. Rather, he said, the work would be handled by existing employees.

He would not say specifically where the rail authority would get its money, only that it would not come from a $2 surcharge levied on rental cars, as had been considered. Instead, he said, it would draw funds from the existing transportation budget. That could include fees such as car tags, drivers licenses and gas taxes.

The rail enterprise could pay for a number of train systems, including ones in South and Central Florida, Tampa and Jacksonville. It also is designed to enhance Florida's chances of winning up to $2.5 billion in federal funds for a high-speed train linking Orlando with Lakeland and Tampa.

Federal officials are sifting through 45 requests from 24 states seeking a total of $50 billion for high-speed trains. The fund holds only $8 billion.

Sen. Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, and chairman of the Senate transportation committee, has been promoting the statewide authority approach for months. "To me, this piece of legislation says to the federal government that not only are we interested in rail, but we are serious about it."

Sen. Lee Constantine, R-Altamonte Springs, called the bill historic and agreed with Atwater's assessment that it was similar to the state's decision in the 1950s to build Florida's Turnpike.

The AFL-CIO backs high-speed rail, but could end up opposing the bill because union officials contend the state — which would own the tracks the train would run on — is against organized labor.

"They want to eliminate unions from the state's transportation system, and that is the sticking point on the SunRail transaction," said AFL-CIO communications director Rich Templin.

The AFL-CIO's lawyer, Lori Weems, said talks among her group, Gov. Charlie Crist's office and Senate negotiators began in late October and were once close to an agreement on language that would have protected union jobs.

The union wanted to make the insurance protection for SunRail contingent upon receiving a $270 million in Federal Railroad Administration funding that FDOT has sought. The federal money would come with strings attached that include the union protections. Alternatively, union negotiators asked lawmakers to include the protections specifically in the bill.

But last week, the Governor's Office pushed back, and union negotiators said they were told there was no deal on the protections.

"We support rail of all kinds, commuter, transit, all rail in the state of Florida," said AFL-CIO President Mike Williams said. "But not under the terms and conditions we're being told ... may be coming out in a maybe special session."

State Sen. Jeremy Ring, D-Margate, and a SunRail supporter, also has talked with the AFL-CIO. He said he still intends to seek their support. "We're still all in this together," he said

11/25:

Unexpected tax dollars could clear way for SunRail

November 23, 2009

By Aaron Deslatte, Orlando Sentinel Tallahassee Bureau TALLAHASSEE -

Florida lawmakers may have a way to avoid the thorny issue of raising taxes to pass commuter-rail legislation: Motorists may be paying enough at the gas pump to bail out South Florida's beleaguered Tri-Rail commuter system.

State economists this month have increased their estimates of how much tax revenue will be flowing into Florida's road-building trust fund in future years. The state will collect $56.9 million more than it had expected this year, and $78.1 million in the fiscal year that starts next July 1.

Most of the increase stems from higher-than-expected gasoline sales, but some comes from hikes in vehicle-registration and driver's-license renewal fees that lawmakers passed last spring.

Including $19 million in unexpected revenues in the year ending last June 30, lawmakers will have $154 million extra for next year – more than enough to prop up the troubled South Florida train system, if they choose.

And that could be an easy choice considering their two other alternatives: approving a new $2-a-day rental-car surcharge, or taking on road-builders to steer away other transportation funds.

Gov. Charlie Crist and legislative leaders have been quietly working on details of a special lawmaking session that could happen as soon as next month to authorize the $1.2-billion SunRail train through Orlando, as well as provide a dedicated funding stream for South Florida's commuter system. Tri-Rail needs $40 million to $50 million annually to cover operating costs and faces the possibility of having to repay the federal government $256 million if it folds.

Federal transit officials have stressed to Florida that if it hopes to secure federal funding for a proposed high-speed rail link between Orlando and Tampa, it must demonstrate a commitment to those inter-connected commuter rail projects.

The initial idea was to include a new $2-a-day rental-car "surcharge" in the rail package to prop up Tri-Rail. But last week, House Speaker Larry Cretul, R-Ocala, called that option a "heavy-lift" in the current political climate. The Legislature raised taxes and fees by $2.3 billion last spring to balance the state's budget.

Senate transportation budget chief Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, went further, proclaiming he would "not support any tax to support any entity that runs in the red, and that's Tri-Rail."

"There are groups out there that are balking at a rental-car surcharge," said state Sen. Jeremy Ring, a Broward County Democrat negotiating the Tri-Rail portions of the legislation. "To the extent that we can find other revenues, that is a strong possibility."

The rental-car surcharge "is not as popular as it once was," conceded Sen. Lee Constantine, an Altamonte Springs Republican trying to resolve the liability insurance issues in the rail package.

Senate President Jeff Atwater, R-North Palm Beach, floated the idea of shifting some of the cash coming in from Florida's existing rental-car tax. But that revenue stream is actually decreasing – economists lowered expected collections next year from $100 million to $92 million.

And transportation contractors, who get paid about $3 billion annually out of the transportation trust fund, adamantly opposed the idea, arguing they are already due to face a drastic cut in road-work when other federal stimulus dollars run out.

"We definitely are not crazy about it," said Bob Burleson, president of the Florida Transportation Builders' Association. "We have made it clear to House and Senate leadership that … we think it should be done without impacting existing funds available for the DOT work program."

But Burleson said his membership could accept dedicating a portion of the higher-than-expected revenues to Tri-Rail, although builders would prefer to see local governments in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties foot the bill.

"We could certainly live with that as a short-term solution," he said.

Atwater spokeswoman Jaryn Emhof said Monday that lawmakers were still "exploring all revenue options" for funding rail and that no decision on the timing of a special session has been made.

Ironically, the higher gas-tax revenues may be a result of the economic recovery taking longer to materialize. Last spring, economists expected increased economic activity would spark an increase in oil prices as demand increased.

"The energy prices have actually gone down. That's what we're responding to, lower costs for gas going forward,' said Amy Baker, coordinator of the state's Office of Economic and Demographic Research. "That has a lot to do with the slower economic recovery."

11/21:

In a position to win

The gist: SunRail appears closer than ever to passing the Legislature in Tallahassee.

Two weeks remain for backers of SunRail to get Gov. Crist or Tallahassee's legislative leaders to call a special session, where lawmakers would get one more crack at approving the train for metro Orlando.

They've said they'll call it — if it's got enough votes to pass.

The difference between now and when SunRail died in the final weeks of the last regular legislative session is that SunRail's backers aren't panicking. They're looking like cool operators conducting a 2-minute drill.

And they're looking that way because this time around they're in a better position to win.

They've done a much better job selling SunRail as a key link in an evolutionary chain that can bring several train systems to metro areas throughout Florida. That's partly why Sens. John Thrasher of Orange Park and Stephen Wise of Jacksonville, respectively, are for or leaning toward supporting SunRail. They know it can help leverage funds for future commuter-rail systems in Jacksonville.

Just as it would do for another system in Tampa.

And just as it's close to doing for Tri-Rail, the train serving commuters from Miami to West Palm Beach. Backers are close to striking a deal that could tap more revenue for that cash-poor line, either with a $2 rental-car surcharge, with a portion of the state's gas tax or a share of the money set aside for the state's five-year transportation works program.

That in turn is making it easier for some South Florida legislators to warm to SunRail. Dave Aronberg of Greenacres said this week he "think[s] we can get it done." Previously, Mr. Aronberg voted against it, mistakenly falling along with other South Florida legislators for promises from Sen. Paula Dockery of Lakeland that she could secure money for Tri-Rail following SunRail's defeat. It didn't happen.

SunRail's backers aren't getting distracted, as before, by chasing impossible votes from public-transit opponents like Sen. Gary Siplin of Orlando. They're not wasting their time with Ms. Dockery, who, despite her current run for governor, increasingly seems marginalized. She's scheduled to be in Winter Park on Monday, where she'll try to convince officials there to turn their backs on residents who voted to host a commuter-rail station. It will be interesting to see if she tries hoodwinking them, like when she insisted last year that it would take almost two and a half hours to travel SunRail's route. Less than one and a half hours is correct.

Others who did little last year to strengthen SunRail's chances of passing Tallahassee are doing a lot, or at least are working constructively, to enhance SunRail's prospects. Gubernatorial candidates Alex Sink and Bill McCollum have come out strongly for it, knowing SunRail would help Tampa, Jacksonville and Southeast Florida cities with their rail systems — and boost Florida's chances of landing federal funding for a high-speed rail line.

Florida's new U.S. senator, George LeMieux, has helped. He got Tallahassee Sen. Al Lawson to speak well of SunRail, and strengthened Senate President Jeff Atwater's resolve to pass it.

CSX Corp., which has agreed to sell its tracks for SunRail, has indicated it will lighten the state's liability in case of accidents. And because SunRail's backers in Washington should be able to secure more federal funding to cover its $1.2 billion price tag, unions have softened their opposition. The funding could come with provisions supporting union jobs.

Together, it puts SunRail's backers in what should be a strong enough position to nail down a win in Tallahassee.

11/13:

Confident Dyer says SunRail approval near

The panel that oversees the SunRail commuter train that would run in Central Florida met for the first time in nearly a year Friday, with chairman Buddy Dyer exuding confidence that the $1.2 billion project may finally become a reality.

"There has been a lot of movement," Dyer said, explaining why he believes SunRail could win enough votes to pass through the state Legislature during a potential special session next month.

Dyer, who is Orlando's mayor, maintains SunRail could pick up as many as 29 votes in the 40-member Senate, where a liability agreement necessary for the train's operation has been turned down twice, most recently in April. Twenty-one are needed for passage.

"If I had to tally votes right now," Dyer said, "I would put it at 21."

Dyer's confidence is built on several factors, including the apparent willingness by CSX of Jacksonville – which would sell tracks to the state for SunRail – to accept a policy that places more risk in the case of an accident on the railroad company rather than Florida.

The liability agreement would be based on a deal reached this summer between CSX and Massachusetts, which also bought tracks from the company for a commuter train.

SunRail proponents, which includes Senate President Jeff Atwater, R-North Palm Beach, House Speaker Larry Cretul, R-Ocala, and Gov. Charlie Crist, have been pushing for a special session that could begin Dec. 7.

But Cretul wants to be sure there are enough votes in the Senate before formally backing the call. "They probably want a list of names in blood," Dyer quipped.

A committee overseeing technical aspects of the venture suspended its work in June, but the chairman said Friday he was ready to meet again.

"We're excited about cranking back up again," said Roger Neiswender, Orlando top transportation planner. "Hopefully, this time all the way to the conclusion."

If approved by the Legislature, SunRail could begin operating the first phase of what would become a 61.5-mile route linking DeLand in Volusia County with downtown Orlando and Poinciana in Osceola County by winter 2012.

11/12:

My Word: Time to get rail on track

By George LeMieux

November 12, 2009

For too long, Florida has put off investing in commuter rail and all of us are paying the price. Florida's long stretches of highway combined with increasing traffic congestion have made traveling between major cities difficult and time consuming. This constricts our productivity and the state's overall economy. Just building more roads is not a solution; we need high-speed and commuter rail. The good news is that right now, Florida has an historic opportunity to develop its passenger rail system, and all that's needed is a commitment from our State Legislature.

Right now, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is preparing to award $8 billion in grants for high-speed rail construction. The USDOT is considering more than 270 applications from 40 states. Florida's application for $2.6 billion stands a good chance of winning an award because the state has already secured rights-of-way for high-speed corridors from Tampa to Orlando, plus environmental assessments are complete. But a major hurdle is a firm commitment to construct, operate, and connect local commuter rail lines to the high-speed rail backbone. That is where the State Legislature's actions in the next two months are critically important.

It is critical the State Legislature hold a special session before the end of the year to approve a rail agreement for SunRail and to identify a sustainable, long-term source of funding for commuter rail (read: TAXES - Norm). Achieving agreement on these two items will advance Florida's chances for high-speed rail. In a meeting I requested with USDOT Secretary Ray LaHood, he confirmed that Florida has to bring commuter rail investments to the table if we are going to have a shot at federal high-speed rail funding.

If our legislative leaders pass commuter rail legislation in a special session this year, we will send a positive message to Washington. We will signal a clear understanding that if a statewide high-speed rail network is to be successful, then our communities must have local rail transit options in place.

The legislature's previous efforts on SunRail have put Florida's ability for transportation innovations at risk. I thank the lawmakers who have supported SunRail from the beginning and urge the lawmakers in Tallahassee who haven't to support SunRail. I believe doing so will pave the way for Florida's next generation transportation system.

Partnering with the Federal government for the construction of a high-speed rail system in Florida is a once in a generation opportunity. Shame on us if this opportunity is wasted. High-speed rail is the future of regional transportation in this country, (19th century transportation is the FUTURE? - Norm) and Florida stands to, yet again, be a national model of success.

Investing today in rail solutions will immediately bring thousands of new jobs ( I thought it was only about traffic? ) to the state and improved connectivity will boost our economy. A Tampa-Orlando mega corridor filled with investment and employment opportunities (read: growth and sweetheart deals) will take shape around this new infrastructure. Rail will be the engine that drives transformative economic change for decades to come, all it takes is swift ( stop THINKING about it and just DO it, dammit!) and affirmative action by the State Legislature.

George LeMieux is a U.S. Senator for Florida.

************************************************

Legislators close to SunRail deal

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer "extemely optimistic" commuter rail will pass Legislature this time

By Dan Tracy and Aaron Deslatte Sentinel Staff Writers

November 11, 2009

After two embarrassing defeats, the SunRail commuter train could be on the verge of winning approval in the state Legislature.

Supporters are lining up votes and drafting a bill for a special session that could be held in Tallahassee during the week of Dec. 7.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said he is "extremely optimistic" about the chances of passage for the $1.2 billion project that would link DeLand in Volusia County with downtown Orlando and Poinciana in Osceola County.

Though no SunRail backers will publicly say they have a done deal, they are confident of getting more than the 21 votes needed to win in the 40-member Senate.

House Speaker Larry Cretul, R-Ocala, and Speaker-Designate Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, both contend they have enough votes in their chamber to approve the train.

But Cretul has said he first wants to see the finer points of the rail legislation along with a Senate vote count before joining Senate President Jeff Atwater to formally schedule the special session.

"He would need some assurances that they actually have the votes," Cretul spokeswoman Jill Chamberlin said.

Although Dyer was hopeful both times the plan was shot down in the state Senate — most recently in April — a lot has changed in recent months.

Most prominently, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has repeatedly told Florida's elected officials that their chances of winning any stimulus money for a proposed high-speed train connecting Orlando with Tampa would be virtually nil without first showing support for SunRail and the already operational Tri-Rail commuter train in South Florida.

U.S. Sen. George LeMieux echoed that sentiment Wednesday after a meeting with area leaders at the Central Florida Partnership in downtown Orlando.

"They [federal officials] want to give the money to Central Florida, but Florida has to do the right thing," said LeMieux, who was appointed by Gov. Charlie Crist to fill the last 16 months of the term formerly held by Mel Martinez.

LeMieux conceded he did not have a firm commitment for the high-speed money, but he said approving SunRail would be extremely helpful. "Give me the ammunition as a United States senator by passing SunRail," he said.

Such warnings have led Atwater and Crist to say they would support a special session where legislators would provide operating money for the financially strapped Tri-Rail and endorse a liability arrangement for SunRail.

Those votes, they believe, could keep Florida in the running in the highly competitive high-speed race. Florida alone wants $2.5 billion from an account that only holds $8 billion.

In all, federal authorities are sifting through 45 requests from 24 states seeking a total of $50 billion. An additional 214 applications from 34 states are asking for $7 billion for planning and smaller projects.

Dyer and others also have been working on Democrats in the Senate who voted no last spring, particularly those with higher political ambitions in need of support and campaign donations from Central Florida.

"The terrain is changing. The deal is changing. … Hopefully, it becomes a better deal," said Sen. Dan Gelber, a Miami Beach Democrat running for attorney general. He voted against SunRail legislation last spring.

His primary opponent, Sen. Dave Aronberg, a Greenacres Democrat who also voted against SunRail, said he too was encouraged by the changing dynamics of SunRail.

"I am encouraged by the fact that there are federal funds, and that is something that is different," Aronberg said. "Hopefully, a deal can be worked out that's good for everyone."

Neither, however, would say whether they would now vote for the project.

Another no vote last spring — the late Sen. Jim King, R-Jacksonville — was replaced in a special election this fall by Republican Sen. John Thrasher of Ponte Vedra Beach, who had pushed for SunRail the last two years as a lobbyist for the city of Orlando.

Dyer has been working with the AFL-CIO, too. The union has been against SunRail but appears to be softening its stand.

AFL-CIO spokesman Rich Templin said his organization could support SunRail if a request for $270 million in stimulus money is granted by the federal government and the union protections that often go along with such allocations are included.

A union endorsement, Dyers and others think, could bring with it many of the 11 Democratic votes that went against SunRail last spring. The final tally was 16 for and 23 against (one senator missed the ballot).

One senator who continues to fight SunRail is Paula Dockery, the Republican from Lakeland who also is running for governor. Dockery could not be reached, but she told the Ledger in Lakeland last week that "there has been no change in the very bad terms that the Florida Department of Transportation and CSX agreed upon many years ago in a backroom deal."

Dockery has argued that the plan is too expensive and places too much risk on the state if there is an accident rather than on CSX, the Jacksonville railroad company that would sell its track to Florida for SunRail.

But CSX has indicated it is willing to give on the liability deal and model it after one the company recently signed in Massachusetts, which also bought tracks for a commuter train.

That arrangement, which includes CSX helping to pay for insurance and shifts additional liability onto the rail company and away from the state, could act as a template not just for SunRail but for any future commuter projects in Florida, said Sen. Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando.

"To me," Gardiner said, "this is about rail in Florida. We're either in or out. I think most people would rather be in."

11/8:

Too compelling to refuse (Yet, it's been refused THREE times, not twice as stated - Norm)

The gist: Momentum's building for Legislature to pass SunRailOpinion Orlando Sentinel November 8, 2009

Twice, the Legislature has rejected a commuter rail system for metro Orlando, saying its benefits for the local population don't justify its cost to the entire state.

Now, however, the Legislature's close to acknowledging the state can't afford to do without it because its benefits reach beyond Central Florida.

And more of its members are appreciating that a failure to embrace it could imperil some of their political futures. (So the Sentinel reports votes are being manipulated...that's great - Norm)

Take Al Lawson, the Senate's Democratic leader, who hails from Tallahassee. Mr. Lawson previously ridiculed the 61-mile SunRail project, calling it "a choo-choo train to nowhere."

Because he didn't wish to offend the Democrats' organized labor constituency, which fears losing some union rail jobs should SunRail get approved, Mr. Lawson went so far as to say that SunRail's "not going to generate any money."

But listen to him now. Last week he said he shares a "sense of urgency on this matter. Florida leads the nation in the number of residents unemployed. ... (Hold on a second...I thought this was about traffic congestion??!)

"Whatever obstacles still remain," he said, "I urge the leadership to resolve them."

With more than 11 percent of Floridians now unemployed, Mr. Lawson, as the leader of a Democratic conference that reflexively leaps to assist the jobless, no longer can pretend that SunRail's simply a transit system that would serve commuters in four Central Florida counties. Experts who've developed similar systems in Washington, D.C., Portland, Ore., and elsewhere reported in February that over 30 years SunRail should generate 260,000 jobs and an estimated $8.8 billion in earnings. (And the cost is...? Portland Ore. is a mess for anyone who has researched this at all.)

Moreover, since the Legislature last rejected SunRail in May, it has become clear that another defeat would cost Florida thousands more jobs. (I thought this was about traffic congestion?) That's because federal officials say Florida won't get the $2.5 billion it has applied for to build a high-speed rail system without first demonstrating a commitment to public transit by approving SunRail. That's why legislative leaders are saying a special session next month to pass SunRail is now a good bet. They need to follow through.

Same goes for increasing support of Tri-Rail, Florida's one-and-only commuter-rail system, which is struggling to serve residents from Miami to West Palm Beach.

Fortunately, some South Florida Democrats who wish to funnel more resources to Tri-Rail — but who, like Mr. Lawson, opposed SunRail because of their ties to unions — are sounding like they want to reach an accord. (Accord in this context means, Lawson wants to keep his political future in play)

Lawmakers like Ted Deutch. And Dave Aronberg and Dan Gelber, who also happen to be running for state attorney general.

Mr. Aronberg and Mr. Gelber would have a particularly hard time harvesting votes amid charges that their opposition to SunRail cost the state thousands of jobs, (I thought this was about traffic congestion) killed high-speed rail, and diminished service for Tri-Rail.

Support for SunRail also is growing among some lawmakers near Tampa and in Jacksonville,(if you're going to lose your political future, then, yes, support is growing) both of which covet rail lines. Some close to Jacksonville's Sen. Stephen Wise, a Republican, say he now appreciates that his region won't get a rail system and the jobs that come with it without federal assistance. But it won't get that assistance unless Florida first convinces Washington that it's willing to embrace SunRail.

SunRail's leading saboteur, (Wow. What an argument. The deal keeps getting better from CSX because of Dockery.) Sen. Paula Dockery, who now also is running for governor, keeps attacking it. But others running for statewide office see that it's far more beneficial to the state — and their candidacies — to get behind it. That's why Gov. Charlie Crist, who's running for Senate; Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink and Attorney General Bill McCollum, who're running for governor; and Senate President Jeff Atwater, who's running for chief financial officer, all are working to pass it.

The last chance for that probably will come next next month in a special session. Its supporters mustn't fumble it.

Below is a comment typical of all SunRail articles editorials - Norm

***************************************

My Word: Anti-union rant clouds facts

By Mike WIlliams

November 8, 2009

On Nov. 1 in his My Word column, Mark P. Wylie quoted Orlando Sentinel reporter Dan Tracy's article saying that the reason the Florida AFL-CIO has raised concerns over the SunRail project is because "train managers might hire unqualified, nonunion workers."

Key memos in the public record detailing meetings between the Florida Department of Transportation and the CSX company indicate that Florida's unionized rail workforce would not only be excluded from participating in the project but that protections for an undetermined number of current rail workers would be eliminated, as would many of their jobs.

The federal government has long acknowledged the importance of union protections for rail workers because these protections allow workers to bring serious safety risks to the attention of management and safety authorities without fear of reprisals or terminations. This is a critical component of the overall rail-safety apparatus in the United States.

More importantly, however, is that both Tracy's article and Wylie's response mischaracterize our opposition by ignoring the many other critical issues that we and others have articulated.

Why does this deal include hundreds of millions of dollars in bonuses for CSX to improve its own freight facilities, facilities that have nothing to do with the proposed commuter-rail line and its operation? These bonuses to the CSX company have needlessly inflated the cost of this deal.

Why does the CSX company insist on forcing all liability for accidents onto the backs of taxpayers — even if it is found to be at fault for gross negligence? Will local governments really be able to pick up the high price tag for operation when the state turns it over to them? We want commuter rail, but we also want schools that are adequately funded, critical services for our seniors and a state budget that is fair to the taxpayers.

Wylie also asserts that the Florida AFL-CIO's goal "appears to be the forced unionization of all of the workers on the new SunRail." He knows, as do most Floridians, that union membership is always voluntary in our state.

The Florida AFL-CIO has supported rail projects in Florida for decades and has the record to prove it. We want the people of Central Florida to have a rail line, but we want to make sure it is funded in a way that is responsible and affords its workers the same basic federal protections that rail workers have enjoyed for generations. Wylie's attempt to use this issue as a platform for another anti-union rant that creates false divisions between union and non-union workers is disingenuous at best and yet another attempt to cloud the facts on this important issue.

Mike Williams of St. Marks is president of the Florida AFL-CIO.

11/7:

Two for One: An article on the 5th and then another on the 6th. Looks like October all over again. We'll do SunRail to save a failed rail...but SunRail will do just fine. That stretches truth more than a Stretch Armstrong doll in a Navajo sweat lodge.

SunRail momentum in Capitol could also float troubled South Florida rail system

Lawmakers are working on a statewide passenger-rail bill that could be ready next month

By Josh Hafenbrack Tallahassee Bureau

3:22 p.m. EST, November 6, 2009

TALLAHASSEE - Orlando's $1.2 billion SunRail commuter train is grabbing headlines, but there might be another big winner as a special session on transportation issues becomes more likely: Tri-Rail, South Florida's 20-year-old train system.

As legislative leaders push for a potential Dec. 7-11 special session, Tri-Rail supporters have an opening to snag a long-sought $2 tax on car rentals in Broward, Miami Dade and Palm Beach counties. The surcharge would provide a permanent funding source to pay for Tri-Rail's 50 daily commuter trains and for future expansion on the line that stretches from Mangonia Park to Miami.

Senate Transportation Chairman Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, said rail legislation was being drafted that would create the liability-insurance groundwork not just for Central Florida's commuter system, but also for future rail expansions in Tampa, Jacksonville and South Florida.

One of SunRail's biggest criticisms has been the potential that the insurance arrangement could shield private companies operating on the rail-line from liability after accidents. Rail backers have warned that future Florida cities trying to create mass-transit options could run into the same political gridlock. But Jacksonville-based CSX Corp., the company that owns the rail line, has recently signaled it could live with a modified insurance arrangement like one in Massachusetts.

"This should be a statewide rail approach," Gardiner said.

The potential session, supported by Gov. Charlie Crist and Senate President Jeff Atwater, is intended to draw down a share of $8 billion in stimulus money for rail projects nationwide. Federal authorities have indicated Florida won't get a piece, though, without providing financial support for Tri-Rail, which has 15,000 daily riders.

"Let's put it this way, every leader in Tallahassee has been told by the federal government: you're not getting any money until Tri Rail gets a funding source," said Palm Beach County Commissioner Jeff Koons, chairman of the board that oversees Tri-Rail.

Last spring, Tri-Rail's $2 rental car tax was scuttled along with the controversial SunRail deal, which died in the Senate. Now, though, several groups that helped squash the SunRail package -- Democrats and labor unions -- are warming to the idea since the federal government is picking up a bigger share.

To that mix, enter Tri-Rail, which has been operating on a stopgap financial arrangement since this summer to avoid cutbacks in daily train service.

'In order for a (political) coalition to pass rail system, you're going to need some South Florida Senate votes. And the only way you're going to get any support from South Florida is for Tri-Rail to be in the discussion and to benefit from it," said Sen. Chris Smith, D- Fort Lauderdale. "As a senator, I can't vote to put rail somewhere else when I have floundering rail here."

There are still obstacles, however. Even though Senate leaders seem receptive to the $2 rental car charge, the more conservative House bristles at any tax increase talk. And Crist is lukewarm on the idea.

House Democratic Leader Franklin Sands, D-Weston, this week called on Republican legislative leaders to convene the special session quickly -- but added in an interview he's not sold on the $2 tax.

"Not especially -- I'm not a big tax person," he said. "But I think we have to look at the budget and look at ways at coming up with a dedicated funding source."

Without the rental car tax, though, the cash-strapped state isn't likely to find money to spare for Tri-Rail.

Smith said he hopes Tri-Rail backers can overcome the anti-tax sentiment, especially since the state just raised $2.3 billion in taxes and fees on Floridians this summer. "I don't see how we could not do the same for tourists," Smith said.

************************************************

Gov. Crist wants special on central Fla. commuter rail considered vital to high-speed system

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Gov. Charlie Crist is seeking a special legislative session next month in hopes that lawmakers will approve a commuter rail system in central Florida.

Crist has the authority to call a special session, but wants agreement from legislative leaders before doing so. It would likely be scheduled the week of Dec. 7 when legislators are at the Capitol for committee meetings.

"It's important to be able to do it sooner than later," Crist said Thursday.

Senate President Jeff Atwater, R-North Palm Beach, also wants to get a bill out to boost Florida's chances of attracting federal dollars to build a high-speed rail system.

"When he was in (Washington) D.C. the feds indicated they would be making their high-speed rail decision this winter and one of the things they said they were looking at was the state showing a commitment to rail transit," said Jaryn Emhoff, spokeswoman for Atwater. "As far as Florida, they specifically cited SunRail and Tri-Rail."

Florida lawmakers have sparred over the project the past couple of sessions and House Speaker Larry Cretul, R-Ocala, is still cautious about getting a plan palatable to his members.

"To justify a special session, the speaker would need to see specifics of the Senate's proposal and he would need the specific, clear assurance that the Senate has the votes to approve the proposal," said Jill Chamberlin, spokeswoman for the speaker. "The House has twice supported and voted for SunRail."

The commuter project is seen as vital to Florida's chances of securing federal money for a high-speed system linking Orlando and Tampa and eventually extending to Miami.

"If SunRail can occur, if we can complete that project, we have a great opportunity for the bullet train and the additional jobs that that can provide," Crist said.

The federal government is making $8 billion available for high-speed systems across the nation. A key criteria, though, is that such systems have links to local transportation networks.

A contract has already been signed between the state and CSX Transportation Inc. to have more than 60 miles of rail in Orlando go from carrying freight to carrying people. That freight, however, still needs to be moved and as part of the deal CSX would redirect traffic to neighboring Polk County.

But Sen. Paula Dockery, who is seeking the Republican nomination for governor, has opposed legislation that would have long, noisy, slow-running freight trains traveling through her Lakeland hometown.

SunRail nemesis Paula Dockery joins governor's race

Aaron Deslatte Tallahassee Bureau November 3, 2009TALLAHASSEE —

State Sen. Paula Dockery, the Lakeland Republican who has successfully thwarted the SunRail proposal in the Legislature, announced Tuesday what everyone's been assuming for weeks: She is running for governor.

Her entrance in the race means Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer has his hands full trying to both appease disaffected partisans who want an alternative to frontrunner Bill McCollum, and the political leaders statewide who already have backed the attorney general.

On paper, the race features two candidates from the crucial Interstate 4 corridor, one with all the advantages of the party-anointment, and the other forced to stage a type of insurgency campaign.

Her entry is similar to former state House Speaker Marco Rubio's challenge to Gov. Charlie Crist in the Republican race for U.S. Senate. The big difference is that Dockery will have to not only prove she can raise big bucks but also out-flank McCollum with GOP conservatives who vote in primaries.

"Some may question why I would undertake this campaign, given that the leadership of the Republican Party of Florida seems to have anointed a candidate," Dockery said Tuesday in a statement. "To them I say this: people want a choice. People I meet don't want to be told what to think. Actually, given the turning point facing our state's economy, never was there a better time to talk about what it means to be a conservative Florida Republican."

McCollum told reporters before Dockery's announcement was official that she had a right to get in the race, but that while there was "a great discussion" going on within the GOP, he was focusing on campaigning against Democratic state Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink.

"I believe the next governor of Florida needs to be somebody who has the leadership qualities to lead this state," McCollum said.

"It's apparent to everybody the two leading contenders will remain myself on the Republican side and Alex Sink on the Democratic side. ... I'm focused on the race against Alex Sink."

Dockery is not well known around the state, has never run for statewide office and faces a veteran of three statewide races who has a $2 million headstart in fundraising.

She said she hopes to take advantage of voter frustration with government and her own party's leadership, which she says has misspent money and fractured support.

"One of the driving forces in me getting in is not only to change the culture in Tallahassee as it relates to the Legislature, but also to change the direction of the Republican Party," Dockery said. "I love my party. I don't love the leadership of my party now."

Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer was brief in his response.

"She's more than welcome to do whatever she feels is appropriate if she's elected governor," he said. "I think that the majority of the party leadership is supportive of General McCollum, but Sen. Dockery has been a fine public servant and Republicans will have an opportunity to choose."

The party had hoped to avoid a primary, going as far as pressuring Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson to stay out of the race. Greer said the party won't spend money to help McCollum before the primary.

Feds' rail ultimatum puts plans on track

Will idea of new jobs win backers for commuter and high-speed rail?

By Dan Tracy SENTINEL STAFF WRITER

October 27, 2009

Forget about getting people out of their cars and onto mass transit. Here's the latest fuel driving both the commuter and high-speed trains proposed for Central Florida: jobs, jobs, jobs.

"It's a game changer," said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, who supports both ventures but is especially vested in SunRail, the commuter train.

Sean Snaith, a University of Central Florida economist, said any investments during an employment-shedding recession would be welcome, especially ones in the billions of dollars.

"The economy is in a deep hole, and we need to start creating jobs and creating jobs now," he said.

SunRail would stop at 17 stations while linking DeLand in Volusia County with downtown Orlando and Poinciana in Osceola County, while high-speed rail would connect Orlando with Lakeland and Tampa. The price tag for SunRail is $1.2 billion; for high speed, it's $2.5 billion.

Both trains come with the promise of thousands of jobs, in the long and short term. They range from engineers to carpenters to concrete mixers.

The work would come at a critical time, Snaith said, because Metro Orlando is struggling with an unemployment rate that has hit 11.5 percent. Statewide, the rate is 11 percent.

Yet, rail opponents question whether the job projections are reliable and argue that annual operating losses of the trains would have a greater negative impact than any employment gains.

"Does that offset the exorbitant costs that the cities and counties would pay?" asked Winter Park Commissioner Beth Dillaha.

SunRail would run through downtown Winter Park and that city, like other local governments, has pledged to help pay for its operation.

Dillaha dismisses the job argument as a "different rationale for a bad project."

Job-creation figures

Union opposition

Job projections

High-speed rail

(2011-15)

Direct: 23,000

Indirect: 25,800

SunRail

(2010-40)

Direct: 113,065

Indirect: 261,420

Direct refers to jobs directly related to rail construction, such as concrete mixers, carpenters, laborers.

Indirect refers to jobs created as a result of the trains, such as construction work for development around new stations.

SOURCE: City of Orlando, Florida Department of Transportation

Your Volusia County News

October 23, 2009

Legislature should open throttle for rail projects

Florida legislators got the message earlier this month: Get on track with SunRail -- the proposed commuter-rail service planned to connect DeLand to Osceola County -- or risk losing $2.5 billion in federal funding for a high-speed rail service between Orlando and Tampa.

Lawmakers have been dragging their collective heels on these projects for too long. Florida's transportation plans, to date, have consisted of adding hundreds of lane-miles to highways that are congested as soon as the construction signs come down. Mass transit, with links that take people where they need to go, is crucial for the state's economic future and quality of life.

But SunRail's economic promise is more concrete. The Florida Rail Commission estimates that building the system -- which will use existing freight rails -- should create 113,065 jobs over the 20-year life of the project. That doesn't include permanent jobs at rail terminals and businesses that relocate to be near commuter service -- which could add 21,500 jobs at the DeBary and DeLand stations alone.

State leaders are now looking at another part of the ambitious puzzle -- an east-coast passenger rail service that would also use existing freight lines to carry passengers between Jacksonville and Miami. That plan could put Volusia County at a crucial mass-transit crossroads.

State Senate President Jeff Atwater says he's ready to call a special session to address the rail projects, along with funding for Tri-Rail, South Florida's commuter-rail system. Gov. Charlie Crist's backing has never been in doubt for commuter rail. It now falls to House Speaker Larry Cretul -- and lawmakers in both chambers -- to strike an agreement that acknowledges the importance of mass transit to Florida's future -- and accepts the federal government's generous assistance in building a workable rail system.

SunRail Projections

· 4,300 daily passengers, DeBary to Orlando, in 2011

· 7,400 daily passengers, DeBary to Orlando, in 2030

· 30 minutes between train runs during peak weekday hours, 5:30-8:30 a.m. and 3:30-6:30 p.m.

· 45 mph average speed

· $4 proposed cost per trip from Volusia to Orlando

SOURCES: Florida Department of

Transportation; Volusia County

SunRail is back on track

The gist: The future of SunRail, Tri-Rail and high-speed rail rests with the Legislature.

Florida's high-speed-rail pitch has stiff competition

Florida officials like their chances of winning billions of federal dollars for a high-speed train, but almost every contender from California to Georgia insists its rail pitch is the best.

Actually, the proposals are far from equal. Some applicants bring money, land or potential passengers. Others offer little more than what they think to be a great idea.

The Federal Railroad Administration is checking out the plans right now, sifting through 45 requests from 24 states seeking a total of $50 billion. An additional 214 applications from 34 states are asking for $7billion for planning and smaller projects.

The official word out of FRA offers little insight into what the agency really wants.

"Our selections will be merit-based," said an e-mail from Administrator Joseph C. Szabo, "and will reflect President Obama's vision to remake America's transportation landscape."

No date other than sometime this winter has been set for announcing the winners from the account holding $8 billion.

That leaves plenty of time for aspiring train operators and their political backers in Washington to press their cases.

Florida, for instance, has created a marketing campaign called "Life at 128 mph" — the speed at which the proposed train could travel the proposed route of Orlando International Airport to downtown Tampa.

Ed Turanchik, a Tampa developer and former Hillsborough County commissioner, is one of the state's leading high-speed-rail proponents. He maintains Florida, which is seeking $2.5 billion, should be first in line.

"Remember, this is stimulus money," Turanchik said. "This is supposed to be for fast trains built fast. If that's the criteria, Florida wins."

Could run by 2014

California a contender

October 15, 2009

Off highway, into 21st century (This is funny because it's actually Off Highway into the 19th Century - Norm)

Think linkage. The word -- on the lips of every transportation planner from here to there and back -- is critical to this state's future. It's in every application for federal stimulus money to build passenger, commuter and high-speed rail service between Florida cities. It should be on the mind of every person jammed in interstate highway traffic between Daytona Beach and Tampa, Jacksonville and Miami.

Linkage -- vans, buses, trains . . . connected in a convenient public transportation network -- got a boost last week on two important fronts: Ray LaHood's stinging challenge to the Florida Senate to get behind SunRail; and state transportation officials' formal application for $268 million in federal stimulus money to reopen passenger rail service on Florida's east coast for the first time since 1968.

LaHood, secretary of transportation in the Obama administration, speaking in Orlando, admonished the state Senate to "get your act together" in support of the SunRail commuter line between DeLand and Poinciana, as quoted in the Orlando Sentinel. Otherwise, Florida can forget winning $2.5 billion in federal funds to build its first high-speed train service, between Orlando and Tampa. The Senate, including its strongest supporters of high-speed rail, has refused two years straight to sign off on the commuter rail plan.

SunRail partners -- state and local governments including Volusia County -- have applied for some of the $8 billion in federal high-speed rail stimulus funds for the commuter train, pointing out the importance of linkage between the two rail systems: Ride a commuter train from DeLand to Orlando, hop the fast train to Tampa, for instance. It makes good sense, certainly better sense than building more lanes of highway that all but gridlock almost from the time they open.

Similarly, reopening passenger rail service by October 2012 between Jacksonville and Miami -- a six-hour ride on the Florida East Coast Railway -- is a sound proposal. State officials project that 176,000 passengers would board that train the first year. They also estimate the project would create about 1,050 full-time jobs and provide a further economic boost along the seaboard from associated construction and business expansion, indirectly as many as 6,334 jobs by 2021 in the nine-county region. The state projects $300 million in sales tax collections from the rail's first 10 years of operation.

Detractors will cite the passenger service's estimated $10 million operating loss for the first year as reason to oppose it, but the broader economic and environmental benefits enervate that argument. Besides, public transit -- train, bus, whatever the ride -- should be viewed as a service to the populace that also benefits business in this state, not as a profit-maker itself.

Think linkage, starting in the Florida Senate. ("Think" and "Florida Senate" in one sentence? - Norm)

LeMieux: No high-speed money without SunRail

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood had a simple message Monday for the Florida Senate: Get behind the planned SunRail commuter train in Central Florida, or forget about the state winning $2.5billion in federal money for a high-speed train linking Orlando with Tampa.

"You've got to get your act together," LaHood told the Orlando Sentinel about the Senate, which twice has failed to approve SunRail.

"If they don't," he said moments later to a Florida official, "there's going to be a lot of disappointed people."

LaHood gave two speeches, plus a short interview, during a visit to Central Florida. The first was to a transportation convention at the J.W. Marriott hotel in south Orange County and the second to more than 100 elected and area leaders in downtown Orlando.

He left little doubt that the $8billion allocated by the Obama administration and Congress for high-speed rail would go to the communities that support all forms of transit, from buses to commuter trains to bicycle paths — not just roads.

And he wants the systems to connect, allowing alternatives to people who want to get out of their cars, reducing congestion and pollution.

"It [high-speed rail] is the next step," LaHood said, "the next level of transportation. ... It means you are forward thinking."

Miss out on trains capable of going at least 110 mph, he said, and "you are going to be stuck on the highway."

Forty states, including Florida, have filed 287 preliminary applications for high-speed rail projects. The winners won't be announced until the end of the year, and there will be plenty of losers. If all the projects were built, it would cost $103 billion.

"Everybody is not going to get their own stop, in simple terms," LaHood said.

Despite his strong words about SunRail, LaHood stopped short of saying Florida would get high-speed rail money if the Senate passes a liability agreement necessary for the 61.5-mile commuter-rail system that would stretch from Volusia to Osceola counties.

But that did not stop U.S. Reps. Corrine Brown, D-Jacksonville, and John Mica, R- Winter Park, from promising success. They shared the speaking dais with LaHood.

"We're going to have it, and it can't be a bridge to nowhere," Brown said, meaning that SunRail could provide passengers to the would-be high-speed train.

Also complicating the picture is the situation with the Tri-Rail commuter train in South Florida. It needs more state or local money or layoffs and service reductions are likely.

That could force the federal government to seek repayment of some of the $500 million it has invested in the system running along Interstate 95 in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.

"We are hearing noises that distress us greatly," said Peter Rogoff, who runs the Federal Transit Administration and traveled with LaHood.

SunRail supporters have long seen Tri-Rail as a key to winning Senate approval.

The Central Florida delegation twice has offered to vote for a $2 daily surcharge on rental cars in South Florida to cover Tri-Rail operating expenses. But South Florida senators generally have balked at the deal.

Legislators in both the Senate and House, where there are enough votes to pass SunRail, were in Tallahassee for committee meetings Monday.

Two of SunRail's leading proponents, Republican Sens. Lee Constantine of Altamonte Springs and Andy Gardiner of Orlando, have been pushing for a special session for a third run at the $1.2billion project but have not been able to muster enough support to schedule one.

They said LaHood's words should be helpful, but work remains to be done. The last SunRail vote went down 23-16.

"It's all there for the taking, if we just do it," Constantine said.

Added Gardiner: "We have to come up with something to show the federal government we're in the game."

Opponents have argued that SunRail is too expensive, could lead to the loss of union jobs and places too much financial risk on the state if there is an accident.

Winter Park Commissioner Beth Dillaha, who attended LaHood's Orlando meeting, said she cannot back SunRail because she fears it will attract so few passengers that local governments will bust their budgets making up the train's deficits.

" Washington might have a printing press up there," she said, "but we don't."

This is an interesting piece by Jane Healy. See, if you point out the truth like Sen. Dockery has done, people say you are "ranting" even when those saying it agree as Ms. Healy does. Again, it seems the longer Sunrail is put off, the better the deal gets for us even though it's still a bad deal. Why didn't CSX assume more liability in the FIRST place? As for the high speed rail, that was voted in by citizens and it was not done. I don't remember citizens voting on Sunrail.

If you point out the truth in this town, you are insulted and attacked even if later citizens realize what you were saying was true. It reminds me of what I was saying about the former City Manager...and now people are starting to realize...but that's another POP Editorial for another time....Norm Erickson

A boost from Washington

The gist: U.S. Cabinet secretary notes SunRail would benefit all of Florida.

The proposed SunRail commuter train through Central Florida, wrecked twice in the state Senate, might be regenerating some significant steam.

Supporters point to a series of seemingly unrelated developments that — taken together — appear to favor the $1.2 billion venture finally becoming a reality.

"I think we have the momentum," said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, one of the leading proponents of the 61.5-mile system that would link DeLand in Volusia County with downtown Orlando and Poinciana in Osceola County.

Granted, Dyer was optimistic earlier this year, when a liability policy necessary for the project lost 23-16 in the Senate, the same chamber that killed it in 2008.

One big difference this time is the buzz being created by Florida's bid for $2.5 billion from the federal government to build a high-speed train from Orlando to Tampa.

The application for that train was transmitted Friday afternoon, shortly after a rally held by almost 100 supporters at Orlando City Hall. They unveiled a new marketing campaign called "Life at 128 mph" — the speed at which the train could travel.

They also praised SunRail as a potential complement to the high-speed operation.

That's a message the secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Ray LaHood, is expected to reinforce next week when he meets in Orlando with state transit officials.

Dyer and others have been making that connection for months, arguing the systems could feed passengers to each other.

In May, LaHood was quoted in The Wall Street Journal as saying Florida and California were "way ahead" of other areas in the country in seeking high-speed funding from an $8 billion fund set up by Congress and the Obama administration.

But there's more fueling Dyer's enthusiasm, including the election of a new state senator in Jacksonville, a change in leadership in the Florida chapter of the AFL-CIO union and a new liability agreement reached in Massachusetts by the CSX railroad company, which owns the tracks SunRail would use.

Here's what it all could mean to SunRail:

•Sen. Jim King, R-Jacksonville, died July 26 of pancreatic cancer. He was a consistent vote against SunRail. Uber-lobbyist and former House speaker John Thrasher won the Republican primary to replace King and faces three write-in candidates in a Tuesday special election.

Thrasher is a SunRail supporter and, if elected, could use his connections to sway other senators over to the proposal. "Any increase helps," said Sen. Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando. "We still have to get there [to 21 votes]."

•The AFL-CIO, which is influential with the 14 Democrats in the Senate, has elected a new leader, Mike Williams, who heads the Florida Building Trades Council. He replaces Cynthia Hall of United Teachers of Dade.

One of the arguments made against SunRail during the last session was that the train was too expensive during a time that teachers were being laid off and education budgets slashed. With Williams now in charge, SunRail backers will push employment, saying the train would create thousands of jobs that could be taken by unionized tradespeople such as electricians, carpenters and plumbers. Williams also is a longtime associate of Dyer's.

AFL-CIO spokesman Rich Templin said the organization likely will vote on whether to change its position on SunRail soon.

•CSX, which sold tracks to Massachusetts for a commuter train, has agreed to contribute $500,000 to help defray the cost of the liability insurance that the state's transit authority has to carry.

If an accident occurs between a commuter train and freight train and CSX is clearly at fault because of willful misconduct, the railroad will be responsible to pay the deductible on that policy, up to a maximum of $7.5 million per incident.

Critics of SunRail assailed the Florida plan because the state would pay most costs if CSX caused the wreck. The Massachusetts agreement could assuage that concern if it's adopted in Florida. CSX spokesman Gary Sease said, "Each transaction stands on its own merits. We are open to discussions in Florida on the terms of the Massachusetts liability provisions where we reached a mutually acceptable solution."

Sen. Lee Constantine, R-Altamonte Springs and SunRail's leading legislative proponent, said he thinks such an arrangement would work in Florida and said it helps give him "a renewed sense of confidence."

Constantine is hopeful SunRail could be taken up during a special session in coming months, though there's no consensus on a possible date.

Dan Tracy can be reached at dtracy@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5444.

SunRail: Signs of change

•A supporter might be replacing an opponent in Florida's Senate.

•A change at the helm of the AFL-CIO could shift the labor union's stance.

•CSX might chip in on costly liability insurance.

Still time for SunRail

The gist: The train's not out of reach, if supporters keep working for it and avoid distractions

Orlando Sentinel

September 25, 2009

SunRail's supporters have been handed more time to convince the Legislature of the project's worthiness.

The legislative session many thought would unfold in October featuring SunRail and expanded gambling in Florida is being pushed back. Perhaps to November.

But if the project's leading backers are to turn that extension to their advantage — using it to forge an agreement where two past efforts ended in defeat — they mustn't get distracted or blur their priorities.

They need to focus on making the trains run.

The distractions are mounting, however.

August 04, 2009

Commuter rail deserves another chance at success

SunRail, the ambitious commuter-rail line that could eventually be part of a network linking Florida's east and west coasts, keeps coming back from the dead.

Many thought the Legislature had killed the proposal when it closed its regular session in May without approving the first segment of the project, scheduled to run from DeBary to Sand Lake Road in Orlando. SunRail supporters said a crucial pot of federal money would disappear without legislative approval, and cited a June deadline for closing negotiations with CSX, the freight-rail giant that currently owns the rail lines SunRail would use.

But federal money still should be available for the project. And CSX says it's willing to renegotiate the liability issue that proved a snagging point during the legislative session. City officials in Lakeland -- who objected strongly to a plan by CSX to reroute freight traffic through their downtown -- say they're willing to sign on if state Department of Transportation officials find new routes for the freight traffic that would be displaced by SunRail.

These are positive moves. SunRail has the potential to take thousands of cars off Central Florida roads. And it's projected to provide a significant economic boon to the area -- a study by the Central Florida Rail Commission predicts 113,065 construction jobs over the 20-year buildout period, with 1,318 of those in Volusia County. Once the rail line starts running, it has the potential to attract new economic growth to the corridor between DeLand and Poinciana, its planned eastern and western terminals. At the DeLand and DeBary stations, that could translate into 21,500 permanent jobs, the commission says.

That growth would come with little environmental impact, because the state plans to purchase existing rail lines for the project. SunRail would use those lines 12 hours a day, and CSX would lease them back for freight traffic at night.

There's still a lot of work to be done to strike a fair deal. Extra federal stimulus money could shift more of the projected $432 million purchase price away from state coffers, but that price tag is steep, especially if it comes bundled with $200 million worth of liability protection for CSX. (The total cost of the project is $2.7 billion, over 30 years.) The state also should back away from any hint that it intends to use the deal to bust up railworkers' labor unions.

But the potential for rail transport in Central Florida is a bright one -- especially if it someday extends to Daytona Beach (or even Jacksonville, where CSX is based) and links with a high-speed line planned to run between Orlando and Tampa.

Florida could add lanes to Interstate 4 into perpetuity, and still not have the road capacity to handle the growth projected in the Daytona Beach-Orlando-Tampa corridor. Mass transit represents the region's best shot at avoiding gridlock, and the proposed commuter rail would be a good start.

Letters to the editor for Aug. 7, 2009

Out of rail

Why does commuter rail deserve another chance (N-J editorial, Aug. 4)? Everywhere commuter rail has been tried as a measure to ease congestion it has failed in terms of ridership and financially, not to mention that congestion continues to get worse. To fight for so flawed a measure is as mystifying as moving toward government health care, a failed system if there ever was one.

The only way to reduce congestion is to improve our roads, the option that works for almost all of our society. Building more lanes works but we need to add features such as improving the flow of traffic through traffic light coordination, better sight lines for drivers, brighter traffic signals, etc.

The only thing commuter rail will give us is huge initial expenditures, few riders (at an enormous cost per trip), and a growing operating cost burden on the 90 percent of taxpayers who would never even consider using rail. We need solutions to transportation woes that are proven to work and better roads are it. It is unfortunate that we could not direct stimulus money into helpful projects like through lanes on I-4 in Orlando, speeding the completion of S.R. 429 west of Orlando, better automation of traffic signals, and widening of highways that already operate above capacity in our area.

MIKE MCGUIRE, Palm Coast

SunRail: Time to lead

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