Despite the State of Florida’s determination that
high speed passenger rail travel to Orlando’s resorts would be a bad
investment, private interests in the state are preparing to pour a billion
dollars into development of passenger rail service between Orlando and Miami. Florida
East Coast Industries just announced that it intends to offer rail travel
between Miami and Orlando within the next two years, using 200 miles of
existing track between Miami and Cocoa, and building new tracks from Cocoa to
Orlando.
Florida East Coast spokesperson Christine Barney
says the company expects its All Aboard Florida project to have station stops
in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Orlando. “There are 50 million
people who travel between Orlando and Miami each year,” she said in announcing
FEC’s All Aboard Florida plans. “And they’re mainly traveling on very congested
highways. Obviously, if the Orlando to Miami routs is a success, we’ll look to
expand.” Jacksonville Transportation Authority Executive Director Michael
Blaylock is hoping his city is going to be included in that expansion. “I think
all options are on the table,” Blaylock says. “But I can see a day when we have
Amtrak, a private rail company and high speed rail all operating out of the
Prime Osborn Convention Center.” He’s hoping for passenger rail operations to
develop on CSX tracks from Jacksonville to Yulee and Green Cove Springs, and on
FEC tracks to St. Augustine.
Christine Barney of FEC says the Miami to Orlando
route should attract tourists as well as business people who don’t want to
drive. FEC expects to invest $1 billion in the project, creating 6,000
construction jobs and 1,000 permanent jobs once the rail service begins. Travel
times on the rail route are expected eventually to approximately equal the six
hour driving time from Miami to Jacksonville.
