What's Next in the CSX ILC Commuter Rail Future? Part 2
Will there ever be decent rail in Central Florida? In the past year I've seen a number of great commuter rail systems, but alas I don't think we'll ever get there.
I am often in San Francisco/San Jose/Palo Alto for business and I often use CalTrain when I'm there. I don't know the political/financial back-story on CalTrain, but I know it works for me and works well. If I'm at my Palo Alto office, I can get on CalTrain and be in the city within an hour and thanks to EVDO, I can work the entire way...or I can just relax. Something a car never allows. If only we had something like this in Florida.
I experienced something similar in the UK recently. Work had me staying in Windsor, but London was just a short/reliable train-ride away. The SouthWest Trains service was great and I ended up using it for three round-trips in 4 days. On two occasions I used it during rush hour. It's hard to imagine folks in Florida switching to a train-commute lifestyle, but I enjoyed it. Part of this is the make-up of our urban centers.......or perhaps more specifically our lack of urban centers. It would be nice to live in the English countryside and have work be a nice train commute.
Of course, once I arrive in San Francisco or London there is a good subway/transport system in place there to get me around the rest of the city. Something Orlando and Tampa are missing.
That's one of the often cited issues related to subways/rail systems. Cities like London/New York/Chicago had systems in place that allowed development around them. Trying to build after the fact is difficult and expensive, just ask MARTA about that.
When F O X, that's Florida Overland Express to you newbies, or whatever it was going to be called was a glimmer of hope I was just that, hopeful. I was traveling to Jacksonville quite a bit and the drive was killing me. I looked forward to sitting back, relaxing and doing some work while somebody else took care of the transit. Ah yes, dreams of the TGV and Thalys from my honeymoon in Europe.
So I'll repeat the question, will there ever be decent rail in Central Florida?
Comments
What's the word on the street around Lake Hollingsworth these days? Are Lakelanders happy with derailing light-rail, or is this just the doing of Senator Dockery and some trial lawyers? For our part, we note that the plan was not as fiscally sound as it could be, though despite that, it has a lot of support on the northern end of the I-4 corridor.
Posted by: BGS | May 5, 2008 10:02 AM
Senator Dockery and the trial lawyers ensured that no commuter rail system will be built in Orlando, Tampa or Lakeland for at least 20 years.
Posted by: Bob | May 5, 2008 10:32 AM
The only way that decent rail will happen in this area is when the people demand it and vote in representatives that make it happen. I would give up my car in a heartbeat if I could have access to reliable rail in the area, and I drive a hybrid! It's a shame that it failed, but it will continue to do so as long as politics are involved.
Posted by: KB | May 5, 2008 04:30 PM
BGS: I'd say the work on the running path around Lake Hollingsworth is that Lakelandlanders don't believe they derailed light rail.
Most here also noted that the plan was not as fiscally sound as it could be, and because of that couldn't support it.
Most of those I talk to think it was a bad political deal from the start and imploded from within. While it makes easy PR to say this was Lakeland vs. Light Rail it was always one money lobby against another.
Posted by: Chuck Welch | May 5, 2008 09:12 PM
Bob, as in Gernart?
Actually what Dockery and Ross have done is insure that all of Polk County, as well as Tampa do have commuter rail, and much sooner than 20 years.
Amtrak could easily provide commuter rail for all of Fl. And it can be done in the sunshine. No hidden deals, no secret alliances. They do elsewhere and can here, within a few years. The Orlando counties have already set aside monies for rail stations, so that portion can go forward.
It is a shame that so many local people did speculate and buy property along the track to take advantage of the situation. But an investment is just that, an investment.
Posted by: Dee Dee Chiavuzzi | May 7, 2008 12:07 PM