Time slipping, pressure hits on commuter rail

UPDATE: Just to make sure they get the point, U.S. Rep. John Mica sent  Gov. Charlie Crist and the Senate leadership a letter saying that not approving the commuter rail project will have "dire consequences" on "all transportation projects" and every revenue to the state. He wrote that REp. Corrine Brown, D-Jacksonville, backs him as railroad subcommittee member. Download 2008_comm_rail_letter_to_fl_legislature.pdf

U.S. Rep. John Mica, R-Winter Park, is among those pushing hard as supporters try a last-ditch effort to salvage the $650-million commuter rail project. Mica called Sen. Mike Fasano's office to give his thoughts today, according to a staff email to the senator:

"He asked me to send you the message that he is greatly concerned about the commuter rail issue. He said he is willing to close down all transportation projects down (sic) until this issue is dealt with. He mentioned the possibility of asking the governor for a special session if this issue is not dealt with. If you need to speak with him he is available."

Comments

PWN3D

[Donald Lance]

To Mike Fasano, I say a gas tax holiday is opening the door to shutting down any transportation we have in this state. Why do we need to pay that amount to shuttle 20 people a day some 10-20 miles? What are busses for? I don't appreciate your obstructionist attitude and it's plain to see that the people have spoken, and with great volume, that they do not want this project to go forward as it is. What would be better for you is to bow to the will of the people and start working for them vs. opposing them.

[Donald Lance]

Sorry Mike! I meant John Mica! You're still OK in my book!

[Reality]

"He said he is willing to close down all transportation projects down (sic) until this issue is dealt with."

That is tantamount to political extortion using an economic threat that could potentially lead to the death on innocent people due to (intentional) inferior infrastructure maintenance.

The Governor should publicly denounce this action and remove him from office immediately!

2:56 - what a moron you are - the governor cannot remove a US Congressman - please don't vote - let educated voters do it, please i'm begging

Oh concur 3:11, I fear for the Republic.

[We The People]

Heads will roll over this already. Don't make it any worse, GOP.

What power does Mica have to 'close down all transportation issues"

While he is the ranking Republican on House Transportation - HE IS IN THE MINORITY - which means he cannot just unilaterally shut down transportation projects in the satte.

Last I checked, he couldn't even get federal $ for the CSX prohect in the first place.

Fix the topuee Mica and get a clue.

that should make for some really AWESOME political mailers in a few months. Brilliant move in an election year...moron.

[Omega83]

Riddle Me This

If Mica and Brown are so almighty and powerful on the Congressional Transportation Committee.

Why is there $0 in federal funds for this project?

[Donald Lance]

Omega83. Because even the federal govt knows this bill is going way overboard. And that says a great deal about how bad of a bill it really is if the Fed won't support it!

Wasn't Mica the same guy that once stormed out of the room because they hadn't saved a big chair for him?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/24/AR2007012402254.html

For over 30 years I've been a registered Republican. I have voted Republican, contributed money to campaigns, and worked on campaigns.

It saddens me to do this but I'm leaving the Republican Party. They have abandoned the values of compassionate conservatism. They have abandoned those who deeply care about this country.

I will stay home and not vote rather than vote for another Republican.

John Mica and Corrine Brown are both huge CSX fans---want to know why? Lots of cash. Millions actually.

Mica has no power because he is in the minority.

[Steve Postal]

You would have to be a real moron to not understand that Florida, the 4th biggest state in population in the United States does not NOW need reliable commuter rail transportation in the central and northern parts of this state! Our great growing population needs alternative, repeating and low-cost rail service intrastate just as it now occurs in California, New York and Texas. The State of Florida must show the people it cares by NOW buying the 62 miles of CSX tracks for a central Florida commuter rail service just as the State of Florida did in South Florida (West Palm Beach south to Miami) for the very succesful Tri-Rail commuter service.

Steve - did the Tri Rail service include the waiver of liability?

steve-
I don't see your name on the roster at gray robinson. Are you an intern?

[Steve Postal]

I mean it! You should only realize how backward our public transportation systems have become and Florida really is lacking now in service to the people. We need commuter rail transportation, especially in the fst growing counties of northern and central Florida! Counties like Putnam, Clay, St. Johns, Volusia, Brevard and Duval are sadly lacking in coordinated and inter-connected transportation and rail transportation with it's large capacity to move many people quickly fits the bill. We should be profoundly embarassed that we don't already have it. Bus service is mediocre and has a potential poluting effect and lacks large capacity.

Of course central Florida needs commuter rail. But it needs commuter rail that will operate in well thought out manner so that people will ride it. This rail service will only operate a few hours each weekday---never on weekends. And it does not come close to any of the attractions.

Ask the FDOT why there is no ridership study. Ask John Mica what the ridership surveys really show. There is a reason you have never seen those numbers.

It would be better and cheaper for the taxpayers to buy a limosine for all 300 people a day who will really ride this train.

[Steve Postal]

Tr-Rail Service included a waiver of liability.

lets make sure we worry about the BOOMING populations of Putnam and Clay county.

[Steve Postal]

We need the service and should have begun it 30 years ago. Tri-Rail is already 24 years old! If you have traveled around the world (Japan, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Australia, the Netherlands) like I have you would be appalled at the lack of Rail service that we now have. We are not serving the needs of the people--and Florida is still the fastest growing state in the U. S. A. with great future transportation needs. Highway I-95 is terribly and dangerously over-crowded at all times of the day! Highways are no longer the solution.

Steve,
the state of Florida decided to take a pass on effective mass transit 20 years ago when we sold our souls to developers to let them expand ever outward, rather than upward effectively killing the idea of public transportation. So don't get all high and mighty on this thread. You aren't fooling anybody.

Sorry John,
join JD and Webster in the losers podium. You win a lovely set of steak knives.

So just how much CSX stock does Mica own?

[terminator]

Mica's a total douchbag with little pull in DC.
He'll be lucky to get re-elected amidst the current "throw the bums out" attitude amongst voters.
Get a clue jerk off and go back to your DC call girl service.
Are the torches and pitchforks ready boys?

I,m pretty sure I shot that hair piece on my last hunt

[Steve Postal]

South Florida DID NOT kill public transportation! Tri-Rail is a very effective and successful antidote to overcrowded highways and whether real estate developpment (or not) affected public transportation is another matter!
The more people we have the more we need public transportation--what else is new!!??

That squirrel on the top of his head must be glued on too tight.

[Don Mott]

The bill is dead so it doesn't matter. But the problem here was liability #1. The #2 problem was this train would have serviced very few people at a great expense to very many. It would have not alleviated traffic on I-4 as proponents argued. And it would have cost taxpayers a billion or so dollars for a train that went from nowhere to nowhere. The realistic place to have commuter rail is between either St. Petersbug or Tampa and Orlando.

[Omega83]

Tri Rail works because S. Florida has density. Its constrained by the Atlantic and Everglades, so once built out had to build up. Urban density creates the congestion tipping point, as well as a workforce demand for commuter options for those having to live far outside the urban core where they work. S. Florida has become like DC, Philly, Chicago et al by the sheer nature of geography.

This DOES NOT apply to Orlando or Tampa. Both are still planned on suburban growth, multiple economic centers, and plenty of developable land. Commuters will prefer auto to train until the tipping point is reached. We are close but not yet.

[Omega83]

PS. There is a second chance with the feds next year, and both Tampa and Orlando can benefit if they use their Congressional clout.

2009 is the reauthorization year for SAFETEA-LU. Congress has made it clear they want to crack down on transportation earmarks.

They will instead provide funding on a regional, multi-state basis provided projects can demonstrate a broader, national significance, I.e. certain "Critical Commerce Corridors"

Certainly the combined powers of Young, Castor, Putnam, Mica, Brown et al can "bring it home" for the I-4 corridor.