Orlando rail gets Tampa Bay area surge

Pinellas County Commissioner Ronnie Duncan has urged Tampa Bay lawmakers this week to support the disputed $641-million plan to bring commuter rail to the Orlando area. And the Tampa Bay Partnership -- which promotes business investment -- has begun supporting the project that critics say benefits CSX too much.

"While I am certainly aware of the revenue shortfalls of state government, I believe that investing in this initiative will produce significant returns in the future," Duncan wrote to lawmakers Monday. Duncan is vice chairman of the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority.

Supporters hope Duncan and the partnership can help provide momentum as lawmakers decide whether to approve a crucial insurance-related piece of the deal in the waning days of the legislative session.

The state wants to pay Jacksonville-based CSX for $150-million for its rail line, and the rest of the money will help improve freight rail lines. The plan would also hold CSX harmless for any damages it causes to commuter trains, if lawmakers approve. Advocates say it will ease congestion and help Florida's economy.

Duncan, a board member of the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority, is an advocate for more rail in Florida. He told Times staff write Will Van Sant that rail eases road congestion, eliminates pollution and creates opportunities for economic development.

He wants CSX to allow their existing lines around Tampa Bay to be used for commuter trains. If the Orlando deal spoils, he fears similar proposals for Tampa Bay won't take off.

"Their interest level is obviously going to wane if they can't strike a deal there," Duncan said of CSX. "I would hate to see them have a bad taste in their mouth if this thing falls apart."

Comments

$700 million to CSX
$265 million to Rubio's friend
$110 million for the St. Joe Paper Company's airport in Panama City.

Lay offs of child abuse investigators
Reduction of Foster Care supervisors
Practically eliminating nursing home inspections.
Gutting of CMS for chronically ill children.

Yep, this is the "family oriented" Republican Party of Florida - corporate family that is!!!

The Repubican Legislature - changing the "middle class" to the "working poor" one appropriation at a time.

Remember this November!!!!!

[Drama]

Waaaaaaaaaa...I want to be the train conductor...........Waaaaaa......i want to blow the horn..........Waaaaaa I got 600 million......choo choo....let me wear the hat!

To borrow from the Serpenthead, this will help the economy, stupid. And that is what voters care about, a majority of them, anyway.
Good luck wailing this November. Maybe you can blow up the Old Bailey.

Finally folks coming to their senses-- this is good for florida because it is going to bring hundreds of millions in contruction work at a tinme when the homebuilding market is at a standstill

Finally folks coming to their senses-- this is good for florida because it is going to bring hundreds of millions in contruction work at a tinme when the homebuilding market is at a standstill

Dockery, put the keyboard down and get back to Clyde's!

Alexander & Bowen & Troutman & Attkisson & McKeel are on board. Orlando is on board. Tampa has joined in support. The Lakeland Chamber of Commerce is supportive.

That leaves Dockery and Ross- that's all she has? ABANDON SHIP!

Oh please....how can we justify this unnecessary expenditure when we have no money in the state budget????

McKeel will get on board with anyone...whatever looks like the "winning team". A few weeks ago, he was against communter rail.

So in 2004, when the Bullet Train was on the ballot to provide commnunter rail to Tampa AND Orlando (and eventually to the rest of the state), our republican leadership said it was a waste of money. Now, we have a communter rail deal JUST for the Orlando area that's costing hundreds of millions of dollars to buy tracks CSX owns AND we're holding them harmless of any and all liability.....what is wrong with this legislature? Is there anyone with common sense up there? Gov. Crist needs to speak up and save our precious tax payer dollars!!

So in 2004 when Dockery spent Millions to get her bullet train in our constitution, it was a great idea. Now that it's not HERS, she opposes it. She's so transparent.

Dockery is on an island all by herself. Well, she has Villalobos and Dean on her team. That gives her 3!

Soooooooo, what you're sayin' 9:17 is that Dockery has lost a political fight? She's been outworked? Outsmarted? Outmaneuvered yet again? That's she's simply wrong? I speak for ALL of America when I quote Gomer Pyle, "Surprise Surprise Surprise."

9:33 - are you Carey Baker??

Dockery IS probably at her wits end trying to deal with her idiot co-members in the FL legislature. She's apart of a select few who actually vote their conscience and not out to line their own pockets.

9:54 get's it! Dockery is all alone and loses EVERY meaningful battle of her entire political life because she's so much smarter than them! Yep, that's the ticket!

[Don Mott]

8:28 You nailed it. Someone is making lots of money off this. There are too many secrets involved for a train that goes from nowhere to nowhere. A train from Tampa to Orlando would make good sense but it got blown away for this? The train goes through 6 small towns with an average combined population of about 140,000. And goes where? You are afraid they will "have a bad taste in their mouth" dear sir in case you didn't already know CSX has been ripping off the government for years so let them suck lemons. I would ask Mr. Duncan to tell us how much in CSX or affiliated funding he is receiving for this endorsement. Remember in November!

[Kelly]

Ronnie Duncan who is Vice Chair of TBARTA.........looks like we citizens can expect the same kind of tactics out of them as they plan our regional sprawl....I mean transportation. Goodbye Tampa Hello Orlando because that is what they have in store for us.

Democrat Dockery and Do Nothing Dean, the new dynamic duo of the Florida Legislature. Want something passed? Get these two on the other side.

Don't forget about the 3rd Stooge in the trio, Mr. Success himself, Sen. Villalobos.

I mean Demollobos.

CSX earnings soar 46%
The railroad operator's first-quarter profit jumps on fuel surcharges and higher shipment volumes.

Railroad operator CSX says fuel surcharges and rising volume contributed to its strong first-quarter profit.

NEW YORK (AP) -- Rail giant CSX Corp. said Tuesday that fuel surcharges along with rising ethanol and grain shipment volumes helped its first-quarter profit soar 46%.

CSX (CSX, Fortune 500) said it earned $351 million, or 85 cents per share, in the three months that ended in March, compared with $240 million, or 52 cents per share, in the same period last year.

Revenue rose 12% to a record $2.7 billion.

The earnings included 5 cents per share for non-cash equity earnings adjustment and 2 cents per share for insurance recoveries. Excluding those items, profit was up 60% from a year ago.

Analysts forecast earnings of 74 cents per share on revenue of $2.63 billion, according to Thomson Financial.

"Our highly focused work force continue to drive shareholder value at a record-setting pace in the first quarter by delivering outstanding safety, customer service and financial results," said Michael Ward, chairman, president and chief executive officer.

Ward noted that, despite the current economic conditions, the company overcame softness in the housing and automotive sectors through yield management, fuel recovery and market drivers, including growth in ethanol and grain shipments, increased demand for export coal and a stable industrial economy.

The Jacksonville, Fla.-based company also expects to reach the "upper end" of its previous full-year guidance, set at $3.40 to $3.60 per share.

CSX shares were up $1.29, or 2.2%, in after-hours trading following the earnings release. The shares gained 66 cents to $57.77 in Tuesday's regular session.

Legal Conflicts
CSX has been locked in a legal battle with a London-based hedge fund, The Children's Investment (TCI) Fund, which has been critical of CSX's board and management, but the controversy was not addressed in the quarterly report.

In March, CSX sued TCI and another hedge fund, 3G Capital Partners, in federal court in New York, accusing TCI of using swap agreements to evade federal securities filing requirements. CSX claims TCI acquired more than 5% of its common stock without making disclosures required by law.

In a countersuit, the hedge funds accused the company of misleading stockholders and violating its corporate insider trading policy.

CSX said TCI's counterclaims lack merit and are an attempt to distract stockholders from the railroad's lawsuit.

TCI, which owns about 4.4% of the CSX stock, and 3G Capital Partners have nominated five men to join the company's 12-member board.

CSX has defended its board, pointing to increased earnings and improvements to its stock price. It has rejected TCI's proposal to allow shareholders to call special meetings to elect board members.

The legal action comes as CSX prepares for its annual meeting, which was moved from early May in Indianapolis to June 25 in New Orleans.

CSX is one of the nation's leading transportation companies, providing rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services. The company's transportation network spans approximately 21,000 miles, with service to 23 eastern states and the District of Columbia, and connects to more than 70 ocean, river and lake ports.

Dockery, the way you were drinking at Clyde's last night, I can't believe you're already posting. Great job!

Lots of practice while away from the hubby = great recovery skills!

Has anyone actually seen “real” numbers on exactly who and how many people would “use” the system, and why?

Have we given up of expecting supportive data, and simply become the defenders of our taxes, regardless of the boondoggle being shoved down out throats?

Any ideas on what the riders will do once the train drops the off?

And the most important question that has yet to be vetted – which state and local officials have been investing in property along the proposed system?

“The People” will not use the system to get from their home to their job… if they have no home to live, and have no job to go to.

Stop-the-freaking-madness!

8:38, you're an idiot. make up your mind is she swimming in money or at clyde's? don't you think the gov's club would seem a little more accurate if you're going to make these ridiculous personal accusations. Go make JD some coffee and tell the good senator good morning when he shows up 9:30.

CSX is reporting profits and we're giving them $691 million tax dollars. Children will be left further behind. This is disgusting.

GET BACK TO WORK STEALING MY TAXES FOR CSX, PUNK-A*S STAFFERS!

Alexander & Bowen & Troutman & Attkisson & McKeel are on board - hmmm, i wonder why

Alexander - tons of land, adjacent to impending CSX site

Bowen - see "Alexander"

Troutman - this is a lie. he doesn't support this.

Atkisson - term limired; lame-duck; doesn't live where the choo-choo travels

McKeel - chicken, does not spearhead legislation, does not have an opinion without consulting others for one

9:09

I think you must have lost out on the analyst position in Finance & Tax, and that's why you continue to post the same thing over and over.

You really look like an idiot because anyone with any knowledge of this issue knows the above conversations are not being held by staff.

Now why don't you get back to work stealing your employers money...or are you still unemployed since missing out on the F&T job?

9:09

I think you must have lost out on the analyst position in Finance & Tax, and that's why you continue to post the same thing over and over.

You really look like an idiot because anyone with any knowledge of this issue knows the above conversations are not being held by staff.

Now why don't you get back to work stealing your employers money...or are you still unemployed since missing out on the F&T job?

[Walter C.]

"...Duncan and the partnership..."

There’s more to those four little words than you could possibly imagine. All you have to do is have the stones of a true journalist.

9:30 = "PUNK-A*S STAFFER" you've heard tell about!

... fgo fetch my dry cleaning, dink...

... and pick me up a sheep while your at it... before the bestiality thing kicks in.

Oh, I'm sorry 9:36...you lost out on the community affairs committee job too? Maybe you're not "top quality" material.

Its ok though..maybe mommy and daddy will let you sleep with them tonight.

That has got to be the most insulting lie you low-life, fear-mongers have put forth to date.

The only ones being “forced” to do anything at the homeowners who are “forced” to pay for your freaking Mercedes and mistresses.

Where's my dry cleaning and sheep... staffer?

Keep letting it out, 10:50, it'll help you feel better.

Maybe the city of Tallahassee is hiring?

Keep letting it out, 10:50, it'll help you feel better.

Maybe the city of Tallahassee is hiring?

Keep holding it in, Staffer... maybe your boss will be gentle on you tonight.

Now, get my dry cleaning, and send my wife some flowers at "The People's expense. See you at the apartment later.

Your wife just left my office...she said you can't provide financially and otherwise

Your wife just left my office...she said you can't provide financially and otherwise

...and dont worry about that little problem of yours she told me about...I hear its normal as you get older.

...and dont worry about that little problem of yours she told me about...I hear its normal as you get older.

It's clear to see why nothing of any substance ever happens in Tallytown. These bathroom tap dancers let their punk-as* staffers blog all day.

GET BACK TO STEALING MY TAXES... JERKWEED STAFFER!

1:03 is so smart. He assumes I'm a.) from tallahasee b.) a staffer yet he can't quite figure out why his wife won't ever answer the phone when he calls.

Have you noticed she's been happier lately, yet can't figure out why because you haven't done anything?
That's no
coincidence ;)

1:03 is so smart. He assumes I'm a.) from tallahasee b.) a staffer yet he can't quite figure out why his wife won't ever answer the phone when he calls.

Have you noticed she's been happier lately, yet can't figure out why because you haven't done anything?
That's no
coincidence ;)

[Don Mott]

9:02 Here's the projected number of riders I've seen reported, 7000 per year and that's probably overestimated since it came from FDOT. That equates to about 20 per day. Sounds like it's worth hundreds of millions of dollars to me, if tickets are a million bucks each. Operating and maintenance costs are expected to start at $10 million and increase to $25 million each year. CSX gets to use the rail at least half of the time and has generously offered to kick in a little over $3 million to the maintenance fees even though their larger trains will cause most of the maintenance needed, how nice of them. When you get off the train you will have to find a cab, a bus or put on your hiking shoes cause it goes from nowhere to nowhere. Not to mention the really sweet part of the deal, we give CSX $300 million to develop a new railway and pick up the liability tab for any accidents even if they are caused by CSX. This has been estimated to be another 1 or 2 million dollars a year for insurance. As mentioned before Alexander and Bowen both stand to profit from this since they both own property where the new rails will go. And I'm sure there are many more in Tallahassee who have their hands in CSXs' back pocket as well. The further you dig into this thing the smellier it gets. Dead mullet don't smell this bad.

Don… 9:02 here…

Thank you for the follow up and sharing. It's exactly as I suspected. A train from nowhere and going to nowhere, used buy no one, with no functional support system, no pragmatic use – yet proclaimed a “must have” and funded with tax dollars.

Typical political boondoggle… Floriduuuuuuuh style!

1:33 = tallytoy dink, suffering from chronic TMJ and scraped knees due to overuse. I told you, beer coaster… wipe your chin before you kiss your mamma.

[Don Mott]

One thing I neglected to mention in my previous post is all of those costs don't include the cost of putting an actual train on the tracks, building 17 stations as FDOT has planned and the yearly costs of maintaining and staffing them. I haven't seen those cost projections anywhere in FDOTs' cost analysis. I guess they figure they don't need to make it sound any more costly than it already is. They'll just hit us with that later when it's too late to do anything about it. Boondoggle is too nice of a word for this gross mismanagement of taxpayer funds. And we thought insurance companies were ripping us off, our elected leaders, and I say that sarcastically are putting us into a hole that we may never dig out of.