New York says thank you to Florida (Jacksonville: to rent, buying)

[cricketfan]

... and in particular to our illustrious governor for their share of the rejected high-speed rail funding.

http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article...FREE/110509888

[Robyn55]

Sounds like a waste of money even in the NE corridor (which is probably one of the places in the US that is best suited for high speed rail):

...The money will speed service but not bring what the transportation industry considers true high-speed rail to New York. That would entail many billions of dollars and much land acquisition. No such proposals are being entertained...

Transportation officials said in a press release that the Amtrak money would pay for improvements that would increase speeds to 160 miles per hour from 135 on a 24-mile track segment on the northeast corridor...

A double waste in fact. Because the equipment will almost certainly have to come from the US (even if it costs more than equipment made elsewhere). And because of the provisions of the Davis-Bacon Act. Leave it to the government to figure out the most inefficient ways to spend taxpayer dollars (there were a couple of CNBC pieces about this today). I think this is the kind of stuff that drives a lot of taxpayers nuts. Robyn

[cricketfan]

Originally Posted by Robyn55

Sounds like a waste of money even in the NE corridor (which is probably one of the places in the US that is best suited for high speed rail):


Transportation officials said in a press release that the Amtrak money would pay for improvements that would increase speeds to 160 miles per hour from 135 on a 24-mile track segment on the northeast corridor...

A double waste in fact. Because the equipment will almost certainly have to come from the US (even if it costs more than equipment made elsewhere). And because of the provisions of the Davis-Bacon Act. Leave it to the government to figure out the most inefficient ways to spend taxpayer dollars (there were a couple of CNBC pieces about this today). I think this is the kind of stuff that drives a lot of taxpayers nuts. Robyn

In this scenario funding for improvements to the existing NE rail corridor, however small, does not equate to a waste of money.

Would you prefer that the equipment be outsourced from China or Israel?

[fsu813]

Jacksonville & Atlanta are still working on a HSR project. Thankfully, the Govenor can't screw it up.

[madcapmagishion]

From the Associated press:
How serious can the Democrats be about deficit reduction
Amtrak and rail projects in 15 states are being awarded the $2 billion that Florida lost after the governor canceled plans for high-speed train service
$2 Billion that was allocated for high-speed rail in Florida was rejected by Gov. Rick Scott (R) because it would have tied the state to long-term financial obligations. Instead of then using the savings from that $2 Billion to reduce the deficit, the administration re-allocated as gifts to Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) to pay for pet projects in their very blue states.
Other states receiving rail funding include Washington, California, Michigan, Rhode Island, Illinois, Iowa… see a pattern here?
So, to repeat the question: How serious can the Democrats be about deficit reduction? Not at all. But, you knew that already, didn’t you?

[Robyn55]

Originally Posted by cricketfan

In this scenario funding for improvements to the existing NE rail corridor, however small, does not equate to a waste of money.

Would you prefer that the equipment be outsourced from China or Israel?

An 18% increase in speed on part of a rail line that is about 1/4 the distance between NYC and Philadelphia is a waste of money IMO.

And if anyone anywhere else in the world can make the stuff as well or better than we can for fewer dollars - why should taxpayers pay more?

When you shop for stuff personally - do you buy Made In USA even if what you're buying costs a lot more for the same or an inferior product? Robyn

[Robyn55]

Originally Posted by fsu813

Jacksonville & Atlanta are still working on a HSR project. Thankfully, the Govenor can't screw it up.

OK - let's have a vote. How many people here would use a JAX to Atlanta line - and how often? I might use it 3 or 4 times a year if it were true high speed - < 2.5 hours. In the more likely scenario - it will be Amtrak speed - > 4 hours - and I'll be better off driving. Of course - if you take a train - at whatever speed - you'll have to rent a car in Atlanta (unless maybe you're going to the airport).

I think our Governor is doing what is right for us. There was a reporter on CNBC today talking about the rail stuff. She said she drove from NYC to Philadelphia last week because - even with all the traffic - driving was faster than taking the train.

There is a difference between things that sound good and things that work well. Robyn

[buddy5]

Originally Posted by Robyn55

OK - let's have a vote. How many people here would use a JAX to Atlanta line - and how often? I might use it 3 or 4 times a year if it were true high speed - < 2.5 hours. In the more likely scenario - it will be Amtrak speed - > 4 hours - and I'll be better off driving. Of course - if you take a train - at whatever speed - you'll have to rent a car in Atlanta (unless maybe you're going to the airport).

I think our Governor is doing what is right for us. There was a reporter on CNBC today talking about the rail stuff. She said she drove from NYC to Philadelphia last week because - even with all the traffic - driving was faster than taking the train.

There is a difference between things that sound good and things that work well. Robyn

I totally agree Robyn. There, we agree, cool. The Rail we have now, affectionately called, 'the train to nowhere', is a big (and expensive) albatross.

[cricketfan]

Originally Posted by madcapmagishion

From the Associated press:
How serious can the Democrats be about deficit reduction
Amtrak and rail projects in 15 states are being awarded the $2 billion that Florida lost after the governor canceled plans for high-speed train service
$2 Billion that was allocated for high-speed rail in Florida was rejected by Gov. Rick Scott (R) because it would have tied the state to long-term financial obligations. Instead of then using the savings from that $2 Billion to reduce the deficit, the administration re-allocated as gifts to Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) to pay for pet projects in their very blue states.
Other states receiving rail funding include Washington, California, Michigan, Rhode Island, Illinois, Iowa… see a pattern here?
So, to repeat the question: How serious can the Democrats be about deficit reduction? Not at all. But, you knew that already, didn’t you?

Answer: I guess as serious as the GOP's rollback of the Bush tax cuts for the rich. Pass the sour grapes.

[cricketfan]

Originally Posted by Robyn55

An 18% increase in speed on part of a rail line that is about 1/4 the distance between NYC and Philadelphia is a waste of money IMO.

Robyn

Well like anything else one's POV is shaped by his own interests in his own little corner. I happen to be in NY at the moment (on family business) and I can tell you that people here who travel up and down on the northeast corridor are exultant about the 800 million even though it is a very small piece of the $2.4 billion rejected by Florida. They think it is a good deal for them, so what do you care? I can think of a hundred more blatant wasting of taxpayer dollars than this funding which I am sure will generate some much needed jobs.

NY Wins Big Chunk Of Federal Railroad Aid Rejected By FL - Peekskill-Cortlandt, NY Patch