Florida Governor axes "Obamarail" (bravo!)

[Bubblehead1980]

Florida Governor Rick Scott(R) has rejected billions in Federal money for the high speed rail system proposed by Barack Obama.Nice to see someone who is actually serious about fiscal responsibility and removing government from as many things as possible.I voted for Scott in November's very close race and am proud to see someone in public office actually trying to stick to their word.

http://www.wtsp.com/includes/tools/p...storyid=175236

[August]

That is sure a breath of fresh air...

[DarkFish]

I don't think it's a really smart move. Short term, yes it will save the federal government a few bucks. But in the long run not building the railway could very well prove a stupid move.

Why is Japan technologically superior to both the US and Europe? Because they have invested in development from very early on. They started building high-speed railways in the mid-sixties, and ever since their technological level has been continuously increasing. More than "The West", where we kind of leveled off our development by spending less money on it.

And that's exactly why Asia (with Japan as development center and China as production center) will be the new world leaders, both economically and technologically, instead of the US and Europe.

[mookiemookie]

How dare we spend money on things that would reduce reliance on foreign oil.

[August]

Did you guys even bother to read the article? It's not about saving the Federal Government money, it's a big federal boondoggle that will end up being a serious and ongoing financial drain on the taxpayers of Florida. This is about getting Barak Obama elected, not about providing jobs or improving mass transit.

Let me quote the relevant parts for you:

My decision to reject the project comes down to three main economic realities:
- First - capital cost overruns from the project could put Florida taxpayers on the hook for an additional $3 billion.
- Second - ridership and revenue projections are historically overly-optimistic and would likely result in ongoing subsidies that state taxpayers would have to incur. (from $300 million - $575 million over 10 years) - Note: The state subsidizes Tri-Rail $34.6 million a year while passenger revenues covers only $10.4 million of the $64 million annual operating budget.
- Finally - if the project becomes too costly for taxpayers and is shut down, the state would have to return the $2.4 billion in federal funds to D.C.


- The truth is that this project would be far too costly to taxpayers and I believe the risk far outweighs the benefits.
- Historical data shows capital cost overruns are pervasive in 9 out of 10 high speed rail projects and that 2/3 of those projects inflated ridership projections by an average of 65 percent of actual patronage.
- It is projected that 3.07 million people will use the train annually. Keep in mind that Amtrak's Acela train in Washington, D.C., Boston, Philadelphia, New York and Baltimore only had 3.2 million riders in 2010. And that market's population is 8 times the size of the Tampa/Orlando market.

[MaddogK]

Originally Posted by mookiemookie

How dare we spend money on things that would reduce reliance on foreign oil.

What kind of car do you drive ?

[mookiemookie]

Originally Posted by MaddogK

What kind of car do you drive ?

A fuel efficient one and less than 5000 miles a year. That's as much personal details as you'll get out of me.

[Bubblehead1980]

Originally Posted by August

Did you guys even bother to read the article? It's not about saving the Federal Government money, it's a big federal boondoggle that will end up being a serious and ongoing financial drain on the taxpayers of Florida. This is about getting Barak Obama elected, not about providing jobs or improving mass transit.

Let me quote the relevant parts for you:

Thanks for pointing that out, I was going to be you did the work for me, good job

High speed rail would be nice BUT right now, we don't have the money in Florida to get caught up in what will be a drain, so our governor did his job and stuck up for the citizens of Florida.Perhaps when good times return can move forward with this.Also, people in the US who have a car generally do not want to use trains etc for most part because why do that when can come/go on your own schedule with no waiting other than traffic so as mentioned it'd end up being a drain because not enough people would use it.

More an election ploy than anything, good job Governor Scott.

[Takeda Shingen]

I can't wait to see what the Republicans' solution to reducing our dependence on oil will be.

Oh, and if anyone is interested, I drive a 2008 Honda Civic hybrid coupe (black). 43 MPG city/55 MPG highway. However, I ride my bike to work three days a week. Great exercise.

[Growler]

Two Words.

Am Trak.

[AVGWarhawk]

Originally Posted by Growler

Two Words.

Am Trak.

Two other words...losing proposition. Just like Am Trak.

[MaddogK]

Originally Posted by mookiemookie

A fuel efficient one and less than 5000 miles a year. That's as much personal details as you'll get out of me.

Just curious, but since you didn't say hybrid or electric you aren't spending enough money on things that would reduce reliance on foreign oil, at least not as much as those who don't drive at all and rely on trains or public transportation to get to work.

Nice TS, I ride a bicycle 8 months out of a year to/from work, my car hasn't seen daylight in over 10 years. Of course the motorcycle gets near 50 MPG on the highway but that only gets on the road twice a year.

[mookiemookie]

Originally Posted by MaddogK

Just curious, but since you didn't say hybrid or electric you aren't spending enough money on things that would reduce reliance on foreign oil, at least not as much as those who don't drive at all and rely on trains or public transportation to get to work.

That has absolutely zero bearing on the topic at hand. The government should be making investments in order to reduce reliance on foreign oil. End of story. To say that someone who doesn't walk on foot everywhere isn't entitled to that belief is childish.

[gimpy117]

Originally Posted by Growler

Two Words.

Am Trak.

Am Trak is out of date when it comes to people moving. Its slow and outdated and unable to compete with Aircraft: which are HEAVILY Dependant on oil. If you fly coast to coast you have burned more fuel than driving all year. I'm studying to enter the industry and I can even see that aircraft as the main source of travel for our society is unsustainable. It simply uses to much fuel, and unless there is some magic breakthrough, you can't power a flying machine on clean energy.

Oh and By the way, Amtrak was set up by the government in 1971 and all of its preferred stock is held by the US federal govt.

[MaddogK]

Originally Posted by mookiemookie

That has absolutely zero bearing on the topic at hand.

Ohh no, it's got everything to do with the topic. You'de like to think that sinking billions of dollars on a rail system that doesn't have the ridership is a good idea, but you don't live there, you won't be paying for it once the federal dollars stop flowing into the project. I would imagine the you'll be one of the first to complain when the system doesn't make a profit, and your federal tax dollars go to support it instead of going into social security, right ?

Look at Amtrak, been losing money for years, but we're all still paying their bills.