Here is a letter FCRP wrote to Orange County Mayor Richard Crotty who in a recent article (see blog few stories back) aired his concerns for the lack of connectivity between HSR and SunRail.

March 1, 2010

The Honorable Richard Crotty

Mayor

Orange County, Florida
201 S. Rosalind Ave., 5th Floor
Orlando, FL  32801

Dear Mayor Crotty,

I read with interest your comments in the Orlando Sentinel item “Scramble is On to Link SunRail, Fast RailundefinedWhy No Plan?” (Orlando Sentinel, February 17).  

Your perspective is shared by our members in Central Florida. Without true connectivity between SunRail and high speed rail, both systems would be less likely to succeed. Indeed, it would be like building an Interstate highway with only one on /off ramp.

Our organization, the Florida Coalition of Rail Passengers (FCRP) was formed in 1983

to preserve and to improve passenger rail service for Floridians and visitors to our state. We’ve advocated for both SunRail and the high speed system, but think that the failure to link the two is a major oversight.

Incidentally, we also think a lack of connectivity between the high speed system and the Amtrak services which serve our state is a major blunder.

Please let us know what our members can do to assist you in encouraging FDOT to create true connectivity (shared stationsundefinednot bus connections) between high speed rail and SunRail. You or your staff are welcome to telephone me at 727-515-3822.

Sincerely,

Stephen Sayles
President FCRP