Recent News Articles
Trial lawyers drop opposition to commuter rail
The state's powerful trial lawyer association has agreed to drop its opposition to the Central Florida commuter rail project in the upcoming regular lawmaking session, according to multiple lawmakers involved in the deal. The Florida Justice Association had been the biggest opponent to passing the insurance liability language CSX Corp. has aaid it would need before selling the 61 miles...
SunRail – Central Florida’s Commuter Rail is getting a new look!
On January 14, 2009, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Chairman of the Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission, and Florida Department of Transportation District 5 Secretary Noranne Downs will unveil the “official” SunRail logo at the “SunRail Logo Rollout” event, being held at the Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport. Following an extensive community...
We think: Commuter rail's benefits extend far beyond getting from here to there
Anyone tracking commuter rail in Central Florida knows how it was waylaid in May by trial lawyers who attacked the limits on lawsuits in case of accidents, the same kind of limits placed on other systems like it. Commuter rail's lead supporters are working with them to reach an accommodation. The other flank of opposition directed at the 61-mile project comes from some lawmakers, led...
Rail gets renewed go-ahead
DELAND -- The proposed Central Florida commuter rail system got a renewed go-ahead from the Volusia County Council on Thursday, when the council revoked a month-old protective amendment opposed by state transportation officials. With a 6-1 vote, the council undid the amendment it adopted Nov. 13 in response to county attorneys' concerns that taxpayers could get stuck with millions of...
We think: Commuter rail's back on track thanks to efforts of local leaders
Just because it's the right thing for Florida doesn't mean lawmakers in Tallahassee will support it. Commuter rail's the right thing, and the Legislature opposed it last May. Commuter rail would remove cars and SUVs from Central Florida 's gridlocked roads by giving commuters an environmentally friendly alternative. It's cheap, costing a fraction of a new lane of highway and...
Collaborate To Make Rail Successful
Our future economic well-being requires that we make strategic investments now in key infrastructure if we are to remain competitive and attract the industries and jobs of the future. A state-of-the-art transportation system is critical to moving goods and workers quickly and efficiently within and between regions and providing the competitive climate for business operations. The...
Crist supports commuter rail
TALLAHASSEE -- Gov. Charlie Crist expressed support Monday for creating a Central Florida commuter-rail system and said he probably will play a more active role in the debate about the issue. Crist's comments came as officials from Volusia County and other parts of Central Florida prepare to lobby lawmakers during the spring legislative session to pass a bill clearing the way for the...
Obama could mean gravy train for Orlando-area rail projects
High-speed rail in Florida could make a comeback under the Barack Obama administration, as his economic-stimulus plan -- which emphasizes transportation and eco-friendly projects -- coincides neatly with the goals of two prominent Central Florida lawmakers. Though details of the president-elect's plan remain uncertain, U.S. Reps. Corrine Brown, D-Jacksonville, and John Mica, R-Winter...
We think: Thanks to area leaders, support for commuter rail is getting stronger
The attempt by some Winter Park commissioners last week to weaken that city's commitment to commuter rail might leave you wondering: Does it signal growing dissent among elected officials along the 61-mile route? That's what Winter Park commissioner Beth Dillaha and fellow commuter-rail saboteur Paula Dockery would have you believe. But from Ms. Dockery's Senate District in Osceola...
We think: City commissioners are trying to kill an important commuter-rail stop
It's amazing what Winter Park’s commissioners don't get about commuter rail. Residents of the city voted last year to help pay for a commuter-rail station in the city's downtown. That made Winter Park the only locality whose residents actually said through the ballot box that they want to host one of 17 stations along the 61-mile rail line. But Winter Park's commissioners...
