Showing posts with label CSX Corp.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CSX Corp.. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

re John Mica's contention that SunRail is still on track; this issue barely exists in the Miami Herald's world

June 30th, 2009

The Miami Herald has not mentioned
this important story or what John Mica
has been up to the past few weeks in
his attempts to keep SunRail alive.
In fact, the Herald hasn't mentioned the
admittedly not-perfect SunRail by name
since June 13th.

But then as we've all borne witness to
over the past few years, their spotty
news coverage of non-political issues
around the state is hardly Breaking
News, itself, is it?

I'll be doing a blog post in the near-future,
long in the making, on the Herald's
very odd and mystifying coverage of
mass transit in general, and this issue
in particular, since Larry Lebowitz
no longer covers regional planning
and transportation-related issues
for the newspaper, and Alfonso
Chardy does.

The signs were clear for all to see
when the paper didn't even bother
to send anyone to cover the
Tri-county Regional Transportation
Summit that I -and many of you-
attended at the Broward County
Convention Center in FTL, many
Saturday mornings ago.
(Perhaps they were staking-out
Father Cutie, instead?)

Yet because of the nature of the
debate, that would have been the
perfect venue for the Herald to
actually incorporate some of that
multimedia element they keep
talking about, but when they had
the chance to do it, and truly help
illuminate an important issue,
they just blew it.

The Herald's almost complete
indifference to SunRail's future,
and what that might mean in
Central Florida for common sense
TOD, and locally for Tri-Rail,
coupled with what I perceived to
be their very moralizing editorial
against it on May 9th, is, to me,
just another sign of its swift decline
from quality newspaper into
near-irrelevance, just when South
Florida needs the paper to actually
be much better than its been in
quite some time.

But then what would you expect
from the Miami Herald,
whose Editorial Board foolishly
backed the taxpayer-funded
Marlins Stadium, and seemed
to be okay with the City of
Miami and Miami-Dade County
NOT submitting the issue to a
public referendum, but which
not only raps SunRail, but
seems inclined to nail the
coffin shut on SunRail on
account of taxpayer costs?
Wow!

When exactly did the Herald's
Editorial Board start worrying
about costs like they were
Ohio Republicans?

Costs and basic physics didn't
and haven't prevented them from
championing a proposd cargo
tunnel to the Port of Miami,
even though, to me at least,
that's clearly going to be a
financial and natural disaster
waiting to happen.

Just in case you forgot how
things are really done down
here in South Florida, here's
a reminder:

Fired Miami Bureaucrat
Continued To Get Full Pay


I-Team: Fired, Retired, But

Still Working

http://cbs4.com/iteam/Fired.CIP.Director.2.1064666.html


CBS4's Gary Nelson shoots
-and he scores!

-------------
Daytona Beach News-Journal

http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/News/Headlines/frtHEAD02063009.htm

June 30, 2009

Mica: SunRail is still on track despite political setbacks

By JAMES MILLER
Staff Writer


ORLANDO -- The proposed commuter-rail line connecting DeLand and metropolitan Orlando is not dead, despite two consecutive years of dramatic setbacks in the Florida Legislature, supporters said Monday.

In fact, SunRail is very much alive.


Negotiations to carve out a commuter-rail agreement palatable to wary lawmakers will be extended for six months.


The project could have been shut down today, according to an opt-out clause in an agreement between CSX Transportation, which owns the rail corridor, and the state Department of Transportation, which wants to buy it.

"We are on target to keep moving the project forward," U.S. Rep. John Mica, a Winter Park Republican and SunRail proponent, told an audience of SunRail supporters and media Monday at Metroplan Orlando headquarters.


Mica said the 61.5-mile system was necessary "for the sake of the environment, for the sake of energy, for the sake of moving people around our community."


Envisioned by boosters as a key transportation alternative in the growing Interstate 4 corridor, SunRail has been estimated to cost the federal and state governments and five local partners -- Volusia, Orange, Osecola and Seminole counties and Orlando -- $2.7 billion over 30 years, including operations.


But the project appeared to reach a dead end this spring when, for the second year running, the state Senate rejected legislation needed to make it a reality.


Controversial language addressing liability for accidents, budget woes and union opposition helped lead to the defeat.


On Monday, Mica said proponents were working to address each of those issues.

Perhaps most important, he said CSX had agreed to revisit the liability language.

As proposed this spring, it would have shielded the rail company from up to $200 million in damages to commuters or other people in the corridor, even if CSX caused the damages through its negligence.

The FDOT was slated to pay CSX $432 million in a purchase deal, but CSX would have leased the corridor for freight traffic so its trains also would be in use there.


"The long and the short of it is CSX has agreed to look at new terms of liability in which there will be certain limits, I believe, and responsibility for CSX in case of negligence," Mica said. "I don't want to get into specifics."

In a statement, CSX said it planned to continue discussions for six months at the request of elected officials.

"Those discussions will center on whether options exist to bring the transaction to a successful conclusion," according to the statement.


Company spokesman Gary Sease declined to elaborate.


If SunRail proponents are able to hammer out a revised proposal, it could go before the Legislature in a special session this fall, said Sen. Lee Constantine, an Altamonte Springs Republican who's been shepherding SunRail in the Senate.


Constantine said lawmakers likely will have to go back in the fall for at least one other issue, anyway.

"Having it in the light of day by itself with very few other issues I think would be a real positive for us," he said.

Other changes discussed Monday include a potential state application for transportation stimulus money for the project.


Using additional federal money could free state transportation dollars for projects in other parts of the state and potentially soften some lawmakers' budget-based opposition.


Although much of the recent wrangling over SunRail has been happening at the state and federal levels, local officials almost certainly haven't had their last look.


Significant changes to already negotiated agreements would put SunRail back before the Volusia County Council, said County Chairman Frank Bruno.


Only one council member -- Jack Hayman -- has voted against SunRail so far, citing uncertainties about long-term costs and ridership.


james.miller@news-jrnl.com


-------------
This story includes multimedia on the URL

Orlando Sentinel


Orlando Sentinel Exclusive

SunRail commuter train might be back from brink

By Dan Tracy, Sentinel Staff Writer
June 26, 2009

Just days before facing a potentially crushing deadline, the SunRail commuter train proposed for Central Florida might be chugging along again.

Backers of the $1.2 billion project have won a crucial negotiating extension and likely will be heading back to the state Legislature, which has scuttled the plan twice before, most recently two months ago.

"It's far from a done deal. But what we have is one more chance," said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, who chairs the local SunRail committee.

Added state Sen. Lee Constantine, R- Altamonte Springs, and a prime SunRail supporter: "I think we are off life support. We're still not healthy, but the prognosis is improving."

A key development was the waiving of next week's deadline to buy tracks from CSX, the Jacksonville train company that owns the line SunRail intends to use.

CSX officially agreed this week to back off the June 30 cutoff date to give lawmakers another chance to consider the plan, company spokesman Gary Sease said.

"We are talking to the Florida Department of Transportation and local officials about options to continue the transaction," Sease said, declining further comment.

Without CSX, it would have been impossible for the train that would link DeLand in Volusia County with downtown Orlando and Poinciana in Osceola County to ever materialize.

Insurance still issue

But SunRail still remains far from becoming a reality.

Most vexing remains the problem that stopped SunRail in the Legislature the past two sessions: getting an insurance policy.

The state Senate has twice balked at approving a $200 million pact that assigns liability in case there is an accident. Opponents contend the plan placed too much risk on the state and not enough on CSX.

Dyer said SunRail hopes to blunt that criticism by having CSX assume more risk, particularly when its employees are at fault.

Critics also have decried the high cost of SunRail, saying it amounts to corporate welfare. It was an especially effective argument during the past legislative session when lawmakers were forced to raise some taxes and fees, raid trust funds and rely on federal dollars to plug a $4 billion hole in the budget.

But U.S. Rep. John Mica, R- Winter Park, said he hopes to win even more money from the federal government — close to $250 million — from the nearly $800 billion stimulus package approved earlier this year by the Congress.

"More federal money, less state money," Mica said. "We'll get as much as we can get there."

Some of the money saved by the state could, in theory, be diverted to the struggling Tri-Rail commuter train in South Florida. Constantine tried to win votes in that region last session by offering to back a $2 surcharge on rental cars, but South Florida lawmakers turned him down.

Now that Tri-Rail is facing layoffs, service reductions and a related loss of federal funding, Constantine said, they might be more willing to work with SunRail supporters.

Mica previously has applied for $300 million in federal funding. About $40 million was aside for SunRail in the current budget, he said.

Special session?

Constantine and Dyer said they could bring SunRail back to the Legislature when it meets early next year or during a special session.

The most probable scenario, Constantine said, is a special session called during September or October, when regular committee meetings are held.

"Let's tee it up," he said.

Likely standing in the way will be Sen. Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland, who successfully led the two previous fights against SunRail.

Dockery, whose hometown would be forced to accept extra freight rerouted by SunRail, has argued the commuter train is too expensive and the insurance policy is loaded against the state.

She was traveling Thursday and could not be reached for comment.

The attempt to resurrect SunRail largely came together Wednesday, when Dyer flew to Washington to meet with Mica, U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown, D-Jacksonville, and representatives from CSX, the Federal Transit Administration, Federal Railroad Administration and Amtrak.

Dyer and Mica both characterized the talks as "very positive."

The federal representatives, Dyer and Mica said, stressed that SunRail is critical to state hopes of building a high-speed train because they want it to connect to anther form of mass transit, not just a large parking garage.

Florida is seeking $2 billion in federal money to pay for a 90-mile link between Orlando International Airport and Tampa with a train capable of going at least 110 mph.

Ten areas have been declared eligible by the government. Besides Florida, other likely applicants include California, North Carolina, the Pacific Northwest and Pennsylvania.

As much as $8 billion is up for grabs. The Obama administration might start awarding grants by the end of the year.

Dan Tracy can be reached at
dtracy@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5444.

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Tri-Rail's Need for Dedicated Funding from Tallahassee

Received the email below this morning from SFRTA Executive Director Joe Giulietti.

I especially urge you to read the Douglas Lyons essay from Saturday's Sun-Sentinel, which describes the perspective of State Senator Mike Fasano of New Port Richey on Tri-Rail's desire for a dedicated funding source.
In essence: It's all South Florida's problem.

The reason that matters is because Fasano is the Chair of the Senate Committee on Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations
  • Members: Chair: Senator Mike Fasano (R) Vice Chair: Senator Anthony C. "Tony" Hill, Sr. (D) Senator Alex Diaz de la Portilla (R) Senator Paula Dockery (R) Senator Andy Gardiner (R) Senator Christopher L. "Chris" Smith (D) Senator Ronda Storms (R)
H-m-m-m, what do you know, two South Florida State Senators on the list, de la Portilla and Smith.

Here's a reasonable question for you to ponder:
Just where the hell exactly is State Rep. Joe Gibbons?

Gibbons, the former Hallandale Beach City Commissioner, who happens to be the ranking Democrat on the House Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations Committee

He was a noteworthy no-show at the regional Transportation Summit held in Fort Lauderdale in February that I attended, just a few minutes away up at the Broward County Convention Center.
To be honest, I never really heard why Gibbons didn't appear for even a little bit, though the same could be said for many other elected officials in the region, too, he just happens to be the one who actually is supposed to represent ME.

And yes, in case you were wondering, I did keep track of which city, county and state officials were there, and which ones took a powder.
Besides FDOT Secretary Stephanie Kopelousos, which was predictable given her track record.

And trust me, I wasn't the only one who noticed who showed-up -and who didn't.

That's one of the primary reasons why it was scheduled for a Saturday in the first place, to be over by Noon, so folks couldn't claim time conflicts with their official responsibilities.

This endemic pathetic passivity is made all the worse by elected officials and govt. officials in our area who give lip service to regional transportation issues, but who, truth be told, when push comes to shove, are woefully ignorant of even some of the most basic issues and facts on which no one disagrees.
They apparently take the approach that they know what they know, and they don't want to be confused by the "facts."

I know about this head-in-the-sand approach first-hand from last year, when I took a chance and gave a copy of an interview with SFECC head man Scott Seeburger in the Daily Business Review to Hallandale Beach City Manager Mike Good.
Within weeks, my good intentions were completely tossed on their heads when Good proceeded to completely mis-state some of the key facts in the story weeks later at a joint City Commission with the City of Hollywood.
I was cringing in the back of the room!

But because of how Mayor Cooper was conducting the meeting, I couldn't go up to a microphone and correct the record, even though I had a copy of his interview with me.

By the way, just for the record, the only elected official from Hallandale Beach to attend any of the recent SFECC Second Round workshops in Hollywood and Aventura was Comm. Keith London, at the Aventura meeting, which was also attended by Aventura Commissioner Zev Auerbach.

Not present at either meeting, both within a ten minute drive of Hallandale Beach City Hall: Mayor Joy Cooper, Commissioners William Julian, Dorothy "Dotty" Ross and Anthony A. Sanders.

I know that you're shocked to see that list, huh?
Yes, it's the "Usual Suspects," that apathetic crew who can't ever seem to see what's happening directly in front of them, much less, be bothered to go just a few miles to become better educated about an important issue to the community.

William Julian, Dorothy "Dotty" Ross and Anthony A. Sanders?
Those names sound familiar.

Hey, aren't they the same three HB City Commissioners who never went to next door Hollywood for any of the preliminary meetings on the Beach One Resort property proposed for State Road A1A on the city's border with Hollywood?

The same commissioners who never even went to one of the the two readings of the proposal before the Hollywood City Commission?

The same exact ones who never said anything publicly when Mayor Cooper actually said after the second Hollywood meeting, less than 90 minutes later, that she was considering charging an access fee to use the public beach, which would be completely illegal under the Florida Constitution?

The meeting where City Attorney David Jove acted like a bump-on-a-log, rather than properly representing the legal interests of this city's residents,
and intervened?
Yes!

Why yes they are, short-term memory, thanks for reminding
me once again of each of their
longstanding apathy and shrugged-shoulders approach to problem-solving, which explains why this city is such a mess for both residents and visitors.

I know, they must've been waiting for Mayor Cooper or City Manager Good and his staff to send them each a memo on what happened, so they'd know what to think and what to say.
You know, just in case any of the city's residents asked them a perfectly reasonable question about the matters.

Yes, the same folks who never ask a good probing question at an actual City Commission meeting of anyone, day or night, and who never seek reasonable accountability from the City Manager, his staff or other city employees, for their chronic and well-known inability to turn over documents before a vote and make
them public, actually meet deadlines they themselves set, or do their jobs with anything resembling what passes for competently in the rest of the world.

So let's see, who else is on that House committee with Joe Gibbons?
Here's the list as of this morning:

__________________________________

A Call for Help from the Executive Director

We are in a battle for dedicated funding in the Florida Legislation. I do not use the term "battle" loosely, because we are truly in a fight for survival. I am calling on you to support us as we need you more than ever!

We are facing reduced funding from the counties and the state legislature!

The counties cannot be faulted for their decision to reduce funding; they are struggling just as we are. As I announced at last Friday's meeting of the Governing Board, if the counties reduce their funding assistance and the legislature provides no dedicated funding source, we will have no choice but to reduce service to potentially as few as 30 trains a day and suspend service on the weekends and holidays, as of October 5, 2009.

I know these service reductions will create tremendous hardship for those of you who have come to depend on Tri-Rail to get you to work, school, medical appointments or for leisure travel. Your Governor, State Representatives and Senators need to hear about what these hardships will mean to you and your families.

Last year, more than 7,100 of you responded to our request for help. I cannot urge you strongly enough to let your voice be heard again this year. To send a message of support for dedicated funding to your elected officials in Tallahassee, log onto www.tri-rail.com/FundOrFail

I thank you for your continued support at a time when it is so important.

Joe Giulietti
Executive Director
South Florida Regional Transportation Authority

________________________

This letter follows on the heels of these recent newspaper editorials and news articles:

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/sfl-editdltrirailpnmar22,0,6744946.story

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Tri-Rail's success is critical to mass transit's future in Florida

Sun-Sentinel Editorial Board

March 22, 2009

The recent announcement that Tri-Rail will cut service later this year shouldn't surprise anyone. Tri-Rail has been on the financial ropes for some time. The fact that county budget cuts forced the service reduction is unsettling, however.

Starting in October, Tri-Rail will run only 30 trains during the workweek and offer no service on the weekends. The service cuts will undermine efforts to boost mass transit in South Florida and help convince federal transportation officials in Washington that Florida is a bad bet for commuter rail.

Officials in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties long have sided with the commuter line's operators in urging Florida lawmakers for a dedicated funding source to replace state general revenue and local government appropriations.

In recent years, Tri-Rail and its local government advocates have come close to procuring the elusive funding source. Unfortunately, this isn't horseshoes.

Efforts to create a new $2 rental car tax have stalled - again - in the Florida Legislature. All this comes at a time when lawmakers are considering legislation to start a similar commuter rail operation in Central Florida. While there's little in the SunRail proposal to prevent the new line from suffering the fate awaiting Tri-Rail, hard facts don't seem to be slowing down efforts to start a new rail line.

So now South Florida officials are left in limbo, hoping the Legislature does the unexpected. A new rental fee would not only help Tri-Rail , but also SunRail and at least two other regional commuter lines local officials in Tampa and Jacksonville hope to one day implement.

Unfortunately, state leaders are heading down the wrong track. Their insistence that local governments raise enough revenue on their own to operate commuter rail lines flies in the face of economic and political reality. But that won't become clear until Tri-Rail collapses and takes down Florida's hopes for successful, viable commuter rail service with it.

BOTTOM LINE: As goes Tri-Rail , so will Florida.

Reader comments at: http://www.topix.net/forum/source/south-florida-sun-sentinel/THNFOGEVLKL1R59NV

_________________

Broward County version:

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/custom/consumer/sfl-flbrail0328sbmar28,0,6212484.story


South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Tri-Rail considering raising fares, eliminating weekend service

Reported by Michael Turnbell

Related links

March 28, 2009

Passengers could pay more to ride Tri-Rail starting in June.

But looming larger this fall, there could be drastically fewer trains on weekdays and no service on weekends.

Tri-Rail's board of directors will hold a public hearing April 24 to discuss raising fares by 25 percent, the first increase since 1995. If approved, one-way fares to travel the full 72 miles between Miami International Airport and Mangonia Park would rise from $5.50 to $6.90 on June 1. A monthly adult pass would cost $100.

With the three counties it serves threatening budget cuts, Tri-Rail is trying to persuade the state Legislature to approve a new $2 rental car tax in South Florida.

If no new dedicated revenue source is found, Executive Director Joseph Giulietti said Tri-Rail will reduce service from 50 to 30 trains on weekdays and no weekend service starting Oct. 5.

Reader comments at: http://www.topix.net/forum/source/south-florida-sun-sentinel/T5BTGV5B2COG1TRM4

-----------------------------------------------

Palm Beach County version:

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/custom/consumer/sfl-flprail0328pnmar28,0,234928.story

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Tri-Rail might raise fares 25 percent, sharply reduce service

Palm Beach County weighs funding cut

By Michael Turnbell

March 28, 2009


Passengers could pay more to ride Tri-Rail starting in June.

But looming larger this fall, there could be drastically fewer trains on weekdays and no service on weekends.

Tri-Rail's board of directors will hold a public hearing April 24 to discuss raising fares by 25 percent, the first increase since 1995. If approved, one-way fares to travel the 72 miles between Miami International Airport and Mangonia Park would rise from $5.50 to $6.90 on June 1. A monthly adult pass would cost $100.

With the three counties it serves threatening budget cuts, Tri-Rail is trying to persuade the state Legislature to approve a new $2 rental car tax in South Florida.

Cash-strapped Palm Beach County officials have said they will cut Tri-Rail's annual subsidy from $4.1 million to $1.5 million in the next budget year. If that happens, Broward and Miami-Dade counties are expected to do the same.

If no new dedicated revenue source is found, Executive Director Joseph Giulietti said Tri-Rail will reduce service from 50 to 30 trains on weekdays and no weekend service starting Oct. 5.

Under that scenario, Tri-Rail could be in jeopardy of defaulting on more than $300 million in federal grants it received to build a second track. The Federal Transit Administration gave Tri-Rail the money in exchange for a pledge to run at least 48 trains on weekdays.

Michael Turnbell can be reached at
mturnbell@SunSentinel.com, 954-356-4155 or 561-243-6550.

---------------------------------

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/columnists/sfl-dlcol28sbmar28,0,885706.column

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

TriRail derailment a bad sign for SunRail

Douglas C. Lyons, Senior Editorial Writer

March 28, 2009


"And where is Tri-Rail?"

The words hung in the air, like a foul odor.

State Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, earned his reputation as a steely enforcer, going back to his days as the House Majority Leader who'd sit in on committee meetings in stony silence to make sure his fellow Republicans voted the right way. State Sen. Durell Peaden Jr., R-Crestview, a fellow Senate Judiciary member, apparently drew Fasano's ire by bringing up Tri-Rail while questioning a bill before the panel that would allow the state to pay more than $2 billion to use a stretch of CSX tracks in the Orlando area for a new commuter line called SunRail.

Peaden, staring out at an audience of lobbyists, local politicians and representatives of various business interests who had come to Tallahassee two weeks ago to support SunRail, worried that the state's seven-year commitment to pay to operate the rail line would take money away from other worthy programs, like educating schoolchildren or caring for the sick and elderly.

But Peaden apparently crossed the line when he mentioned Tri-Rail and then offered an amendment that would create a designated funding source that would take the financial burden to pay for commuter rail lines off local governments.

Fasano wasn't having it. After making sure Peaden knew Tri-Rail's location, he, in essence, went on to declare that if the residents of South Florida wanted Tri-Rail, they'd have to pay for it. This from the man who chairs the Senate committee that appropriates money for road construction and mass transit projects in Florida.

The audience seemed appreciative, but I'm not sure they got the point. Fast forward from that earlier hearing to yesterday, when Tri-Rail officials announced they would reduce the number of trains during the week and end weekend service because of cuts in local funding and the state's failure to come up with a designated funding source. Tri-Rail, they said, could cease operating within three years.

If SunRail becomes reality, its operators will discover the hard truths of running a commuter rail line on a wink, nod and annual appropriations from state and local governments, something their counterparts in South Florida have known for some time.

Doug Lyons can be reached at
dlyons@sun-sentinel.com, 954-356-4638 or 561-243-6601.

Reader comments at: http://www.topix.net/forum/source/south-florida-sun-sentinel/TVH8RLF4S23A7GMAF

(formerly known as The Slant)

STATE SEN. MIKE FASANO SETS THE RECORD STRAIGHT.

Douglas C. Lyons, Senior Editorial Writer

March 30, 2009


I heard from state Sen. Mike Fasano, R.-New Port Richey, over the weekend. He had kind words to say about my Saturday column, but he wanted to set the record straight on two things.

First he has no problem with Tri-Rail obtaining a designated funding source. He just doesn't think the state government should do it.
Read the rest of the post at: http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/theslant/blog/2009/03/by_douglas_c_lyons_i.html------------------------------------

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Tri-Rail's success is critical to mass transit's future in Florida

Sun Sentinel Editorial Board

March 22, 2009


South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Palm Beach County, Legislature fight looms over Tri-Rail

By Andy Reid

March 18, 2009

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

STUDY TO LOOK AT RAISING COST TO RIDE TRI-RAIL

By Michael Turnbell Staff Writer
February 28, 2009

Tri-Rail's fares, among the lowest in the nation for commuter railroads, may go up this year.

The agency is conducting a one-month study on the train's existing fares, which were last adjusted 14 years ago.

Tri-Rail's board of directors will review the results in March. If they recommend fares go up, a public hearing could be held in April with the hike going into effect on June 1.

Broward County Commissioner Josephus Eggelletion, Tri-Rail's board chairman, said he supports a fare increase but only if the entire fare structure, including the cost of transfers to bus systems in the three counties, is considered.

Broward County Transit, Palm Tran and Miami-Dade Transit have all raised fares in the last year.

But board member George Morgan said higher fares may be a tough sell if Tri-Rail can't run its trains on time. "What are we going to do about improving that?" he said.

In the past, Tri-Rail blamed its on-time performance woes on construction or CSX, the freight operator that dispatches all trains on the corridor.

Mechanical breakdowns are the main problem now, Tri-Rail Executive Director Joseph Giulietti said.

Tri-Rail hopes to purchase as many as five new locomotives and 10 additional passenger cars this year with federal economic stimulus money.

In 1995, fares went from a flat fee to a structure that charges riders based on how far they travel.

A monthly adult pass is $80. Among other comparable commuter railroads, the Virginia Railway Express charges $74.30 to $270 for a monthly pass.

San Diego's Coaster charges $144 to $182. Nashville's Music City Star charges $134 to $168.

Dallas' Trinity Railway Express charges $25 to $80 for a monthly pass, but the system also is funded by dedicated sales tax.

------------------------------

TRI-RAIL RIDERSHIP EXCEEDS 4 MILLION - 2008 IS FIRST TIME COMMUTER RAIL HAS THAT MANY PASSENGERS

By Michael Turnbell Staff Writer
January 6, 2009

If Tri-Rail trains seemed more crowded last year, it wasn't your imagination.

The commuter railroad carried more than 4 million passengers in 2008, the first time it surpassed that mark in its 20-year history.

With 4.3 million passengers, Tri-Rail's ridership jumped nearly 23 percent over 2007. As gas prices tumbled below $2 a gallon, the number of weekday riders has dipped slightly but still hovers between 15,000 and 16,000 riders per day.

Ridership has more than doubled since 2005, after Tri-Rail finished building a second track, increased the number of weekday and weekend trains and added rush-hour service every 20 minutes.

"These statistics show that the trend of double-digit growth that we have experienced over the past three years is continuing," said Joseph Giulietti,
Tri-Rail's executive director.

But Tri-Rail's future remains in doubt unless it gets legislative approval this spring for local dedicated funding, such as a rental car fee, to cover operating expenses.