Fla. scraps high-speed rail plan pushed by Obama

[clearvision]

Houston Chronicle:

Florida Gov. Rick Scott canceled plans for a high-speed train line between Orlando and Tampa promoted by President Barack Obama, saying Wednesday it would cost the state too much even with $2.4 billion in federal help.

Cost overruns could put Florida on the hook for another $3 billion and once completed, there's a good chance ridership won't pay for the operating cost, meaning the state would have to pump more money into the line each year, Scott said.

"The truth is that this project would be far too costly to taxpayers and I believe the risk far outweighs the benefits," the Republican governor said in a press release issued after he informed U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood of his decision.

LaHood later released a statement that contradicted Scott's assessment of the risk.

"We worked with the governor to make sure we eliminated all financial risk for the state, instead requiring private businesses competing for the project to assume cost overruns and operating expenses," he said.

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Slowly making progress. Except now Obama will try and give this to another state.

[Pepper]

Good for Florida's Scott.

 

Clearvision, yes. If the saved 2.4 billion is applied directly to spending down the deficit instead of giving to another state with their hand out for free tax money that would be good. You can bet another state will have their hand out.

 

They have been studying high speed rail between from Tampa to Orland since 1976.

 

Blazing speeds will cut down the current 85 minutes of travel by car to 55 minutes by train. What they neglect to say is that you still have to drag your butt off the train, rent a car and get to where you need to go on both ends. Plus the cost over runs

[clearvision]

"Nevertheless, there is overwhelming demand for high speed rail in other states that are enthusiastic to receive Florida's funding and the economic benefits it can deliver, such as manufacturing and construction jobs, as well as private development along its corridors," he added.

[Pepper]

Clearvision

 

Only progressives are able to understand that high speed rail is good for the rest of us mortals.

 

 

 

Fill the holes first, Daddy!

[Sabre86]

Hopefully Texas will give up on this scheme as well, but Perry, many in the legislature, and even many local governments are enamored with the idea.

 

The state is broke, at least 15 billion in the red, and they want to spend money on high speed rail.

[pollyannaish]

Thank goodness. This has to be the dumbest idea since, uh.....come to think of it, I'm not sure there's been a national idea this dumb in my lifetime.