The Silver Rail Blog

Governor Scott rejects HSR

Gov. Rick Scott just announced that he has rejected federal money that would be used to build a high-speed rail line from Tampa to Orlando, saying the project would be “far too costly to taxpayers” and that he believes “the risk far outweighs the benefits.” More from his press release after the jump: #

Moments ago I spoke with u.s. transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to inform him of my decision. I appreciate the secretary’s efforts to work with us and I look forward to working with him in the future. #

My decision to reject the project comes down to three main economic realities: #

• First – capital cost overruns from the project could put Florida taxpayers on the hook for an additional $3 billion.
• Second – ridership and revenue projections are historically overly-optimistic and would likely result in ongoing subsidies that state taxpayers would have to incur. (from $300 million – $575 million over 10 years) – Note: The state subsidizes Tri-Rail $34.6 million a year while passenger revenues covers only $10.4 million of the $64 million annual operating budget.
• Finally – if the project becomes too costly for taxpayers and is shut down, the state would have to return the $2.4 billion in federal funds to D.C.

The truth is that this project would be far too costly to taxpayers and I believe the risk far outweighs the benefits. #

Historical data shows capital cost overruns are pervasive in 9 out of 10 high speed rail projects and that 2/3 of those projects inflated ridership projections by an average of 65 percent of actual patronage. #

It is projected that 3.07 million people will use the train annually. Keep in mind that Amtrak’s Acela train in Washington, D.C., Boston, Philadelphia, New York and Baltimore only had 3.2 million riders in 2010. And that market’s population is 8 times the size of the Tampa/Orlando market. #

President Obama’s high-speed rail program is not the answer to Florida’s economic recovery. #

We must make investments in areas where we will get a return for the shareholders – Florida’s taxpayers. #

The project has been a hot topic of debate since work began along the I-4 corridor. A coalition of politicians and business lobby groups recently formed in an effort to press Scott to accept the funds. The head of the powerful Associated Industries of Florida called the rail line a part of “America’s infrastructure bonanza” at a roundtable discussion earlier this month. #

Scott’s decision means the federal government will likely give the money earmarked for the project to another state. #

More to come.

Amtrak announced today that it has ordered new Acela coaches.

One needs a scorecard to keep up with all the passenger rail news lately! Good thing we have The Silver Rail Blog to share all of it!

Here's the announcement:

http://www.mmdnewswire.com/amtrak-24699.html

--Jackson McQuigg

Just when one thought things couldn't get more interesting, the Obama White House issued its budget for next year which, among other things, ends direct operating subsidies for Amtrak.

It moves those dollars to a transportation trust fund instead-- in an apparent effort at parity between all surface transportation modes.

From the Washington Post:

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2011/02/budget-2012-transportation.html

Now is the time to write your Member of Congress and Florida's Senators to remind them of the importance of Amtrak to our state.

For more insight into the President's budget, check out this interactive graphic here:

http://www.nytimes.com/packages/html/newsgraphics/2011/0119-budget/

--Jackson McQuigg

Contradicting previous statements, an aide to Florida Governor Rick Scott told the Orlando Sentinel that money for SunRail is in the Governor's budget after all.

The question remains: where will Scott come down on passenger rail issues like high speed rail, SunRail, and Amtrak?

And what of the frozen contracts for SunRail?

Stay tuned...

--Jackson McQuigg

Contact your Member of Congress and Florida's Senators NOW to protest House Republicans' plans to eliminate Amtrak, high speed rail, and transit funding!

Contact information for them is available on the following websites:

Senator Bill Nelson: http://billnelson.senate.gov/

Senator Marco Rubio: http://rubio.senate.gov/public/

To locate your Member of Congress, click here.

This year, the battle for the future of passenger rail seems more partisan than ever. It shouldn't be.

The following analysis from Scripps Howard News Service is insightful: http://www.scrippsnews.com/node/59603

Once again, the future of Amtrak and passenger trains are in our hands. Let's pull together to keep passenger rail a part of America's future.

--Jackson McQuigg

In the wake of President Obama's high speed rail plans, Republicans in the house are encouraging the elimination of funding for Amtrak and high speed rail.

Veteran rail advocates will remember many of these same anti-passenger rail arguments originally surfaced in the 1980s.

At last report, elimination of funding for highways was not being considered.

More from Politics Daily:

http://www.politicsdaily.com/2011/02/09/house-republicans-swing-budget-ax-at-70-items-from-npr-to-exp/

--Jackson McQuigg

As promised in his State of the Union Speech, today the White House announced plans to build a national high speed passenger rail network.

From the White House website: 

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/02/08/vice-president-biden-announces-six-year-plan-build-national-high-speed-r

Commentary from ABC News:

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2011/02/vp-biden-us-needs-to-get-a-grip-on-the-high-speed-rail-game.html 

--Jackson McQuigg

What's next for SunRail?

What's next for high speed rail in Florida?

The answers remain unclear, as The Orlando Sentinel reports. Both projects are now in limbo and awaiting decisions from the office of Governor Rick Scott.

Scott had the opportunity to address these issues today when he announced his budget proposals at a Tea Party rally at the First Baptist Church of Eustis, but did not.

FCRP supports both projects, as well as the return of Amtrak service New Orleans-Florida and new service over the FEC.

And we encourage you to remind the Governor about the importance of these and other passenger rail projects for Florida by making your voice heard.

Contact information for Governor Scott can be found on his website here:  http://www.flgov.com/contact-gov-scott/.

Speak up for rail!

--Jackson McQuigg

The northern terminus of Amtrak's New York-Florida trains may be getting some relief in the future, thanks to a new project announced today.

This project was announced in the wake of the failed New Jersey Transit "ARC" tunnel project.

Amtrak is a partner in the new improvements, dubbed "The Gateway".

Full details at the following links:

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dr-gridlock/2011/02/amtrak_proposes_135-billion_ra.html

http://lautenberg.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=330933&

--Jackson McQuigg

 

505 Capitol Ct. NE Suite 300 w Washington, D.C. 20002-7706

Phone 202-408-8362 w Fax 202-408-8287 w narp@narprail.org w http://www.narprail.org

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (#11-03)

February 4, 2011

Contact: Sean Jean-Gail – 202-408-8362 [cell: 202-320-2723]

 

CALL TO SHUT DOWN PASSENGER TRAINS IS ON COLLISION COURSE WITH MIDDLE EAST EVENTS

Ending federal funding for passenger trains, as Republican Study Group urges, would increase American dependence on imported oil

 

As democratic unrest sweeps across North Africa and the Middle East, the National Association of Railroad Passengers is asking Congress to sweep aside a proposal that would gut passenger rail and transit.  Instead, U.S. leaders should focus on policies that give Americans real travel choices and reduce the nation's massive dependence on imported oil in the transportation sector.

 

The democratic uprisings in Egypt, Tunisia, Yemen, Syria and perhaps elsewhere, highlight the risk of America’s overreliance on oil and the potential inability of Middle Eastern nations to maintain current oil export levels. 

 

It also serves as a reminder that gas prices could rise above $4 a gallon more quickly than previously expected.

 

Despite these developments, the Republican Study Committee is urging an end to U.S. intercity passenger train service, eliminating federal funding for Amtrak and high-speed rail.  The proposal also has huge mass transit cuts, including elimination of New Starts, a vital resource in building new transit lines.  The Committee includes over two-thirds of House Republicans.

 

The House Budget Committee is considering drastic reductions in passenger train funding which could also lead to a service shutdown.

 

If adopted, these policies would deprive Americans of important transportation choices, make America more vulnerable to uncontrollable events overseas, and lead to substantial layoffs at Amtrak and transit agencies.

 

NARP calls on Congress to fully fund intercity passenger trains ($2.65 billion for Amtrak, and at least $3.5 billion for the high-speed rail program) to build a truly national rail passenger system and embrace President Obama's goal of putting high speed rail within reach of 80% of Americans within 25 years.  Passenger trains and transit will help address the consumption side of our oil dependency by providing energy-efficient transportation choices, while creating good paying, non-exportable jobs for our citizens.

 

Energy consumption facts:

·         The U.S. transportation system is 96% petroleum dependent, accounts for 71% of the country’s oil use, and consumes 25% of the world’s net output.           

·         Amtrak is 30% more energy efficient than cars, and 20% more efficient than air travel (based on BTUs per passenger mile). 

·         Public transportation saves the U.S. 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline every yearundefinedmore than three times the annual amount imported from Kuwait.

·         U.S. motorists’ fuel consumption alone accounts for eleven percent (11%) of the world’s total oil production.   

·         Trains are the only mode which can run on electricity over long distances at high speeds.