Passenger Trains > Look at the train station they are building in Orlando!

221 million dollar rail terminal - almost done!

But will trains use it?

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-airport-train-station-uncertain-20170423-story.html

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From the article:
".....The Department of Transportation’s director for SunRail operations, Nicola Liquori, told local officials a detailed study determined that a 5.5-mile airport spur would cost about $250 million. Early estimates had put the figure at $100 million, Liquori said.
Whatever the price, there is no money secured for connecting SunRail and the airport.
The commuter train already faces financial revolt from Volusia County over the federal government’s continued refusal to help pay for extending tracks within the county from an existing station in DeBary to a planned station in DeLand...."

And, from the same paper. Yikes!:
"....It’s no secret that tickets bought by SunRail passengers pay only a tiny fraction of the commuter train’s bills, but less known is that ticket revenue doesn’t even cover the cost of selling tickets.
SunRail’s finances would be slightly stronger if riding was free. Put another way, the revenue of $1 to $7.50 per ticket is devoured by ticket machines, employees who support ticket sales and armored cars that collect fares, and does nothing to keep the train running.
“If we have to pay more money to collect revenue than we are actually collecting, why does it make sense to collect it at all?” asked Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, speaking this week as a member of the Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission....."

Sounds like the new Transbay Terminal in San Francisco. Nice building, but no trains.

Nathan

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