Recent News Articles
Central Floridians Strongly Support Central Florida Commuter Rail
The region’s citizenry expressed “strong support” for proceeding with development of the Central Florida Commuter Rail project as a viable alternative to solving the region’s issues of traffic congestion, according to a survey commissioned by myregion.org and unveiled at the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce last week. The scientific survey of 502...
Commuter Rail Recognized by Urban Land Institute
In the category of Sustainability in Economics, the winner is Commuter Rail! The Urban Land Institute Orlando District Council hosted the Fifth Annual “Champions of Sustainability” awards luncheon on Wednesday, September 24, 2008, to honor those who have made an impact in the Central Florida region in the areas of nature, the economy, our society and...
We think: Saboteurs shouldn't determine commuter rail's future
When selfish interests try to block what a community wants and is poised to get -- like commuter rail -- they resort to deception and intimidation. That's what Lakeland state Sen. Paula Dockery did in April, falsely telling those who'd listen that they could intercept more than $300 million earmarked for commuter rail; falsely telling them the trains would run so slowly few would want to...
We think: Winter Park needs to keep commuter rail on track
Some Winter Park commissioners are getting the fidgets waiting for commuter rail. Here's something they should keep in mind to stay on track: Residents voted twice for the project. And they voted for it for good reason -- it'll take cars off the city's gridlocked roads by giving them an environmentally friendly way to get around the region. And there's this:...
Region is ready for commuter rail
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist last week announced a new economic-stimulus plan, Accelerate Florida, and called for state agency heads to spend nearly $30 billion in approved construction funds to jump-start Florida's sluggish economy. At his press conference announcing the plan, Crist said, "It's dough that's ready to go."
Orlando Commuter Rail Takes Another Step
LAKELAND | Thirty-one miles of the 61-mile Central Florida Commuter Rail project has been approved for final design, project backers announced Monday. The OK from the Federal Transit Administration covers the section from DeBary in Volusia County to Sand Lake Road in Orange County. That segment does not include the southernmost link that includes a proposed station in...
State leaders need to get their commuter-rail act together now
It didn't have to be this way, with Central Floridians from DeLand to Poinciana climbing into stifling-hot cars only to watch their gas gauges deflate in slow traffic. For two decades, Central Florida leaders have been talking about building a commuter-transit system. Everything from political infighting to, well, political infighting has derailed a series of plans....
Bring on commuter rail, many at public hearings say
But some Polk residents want to make sure the state understands the potential impact on Lakeland. MAITLAND - Speakers at a public hearing Thursday night praised the idea of bringing commuter rail to the region. But those who traveled from Polk County to speak hit another theme: The proposed deal between the state and the CSX rail company would hurt Lakeland....
Partnership may be a main engine for commuter rail
There wasn't any of the impassioned marching or chanting typical of a political rally, but this wasn't that kind of crowd. At the Central Florida Partnership's "Regional Rally for Rail," the train faithful sat at tables in a hotel ballroom and politely applauded when cued by partnership President Jacob Stuart. "This is kind of mellow for a Jacob thing,"...
Turnout sparse for open house on freight traffic
OCALA - Perhaps the concerned residents got stuck at a railroad crossing and couldn't make it on time. Perhaps they've resigned themselves to the fact that CSX plans to route more freight train traffic through town whether they like it or not. Either way, attendance was sparse when Florida Department of Transportation officials came to Ocala Wednesday night for an open house to...
