Overview
The Deal
CSX wants to sell Florida 61.5 miles of track around Orlando for Central Florida Commuter Rail, though it will use the tracks half the time. In return, taxpayers would operate the tracks, pay for most accidents, upgrade freight tracks across the state, build it a 1,250-acre hub in Winter Haven and build it a freight super-railway through the state’s interior. more...
Too Costly
Florida will pay $641 million for the track, money raised by delaying road projects everywhere else for two years. Another $609 million is needed for the stations and double-tracking, which will allow CSX to use the tracks even more. With no local funding source, Central Florida will likely need help with operating costs, which could range upwards of $60 million a year. more...
Too Risky
The contract says taxpayers must pay for most CSX-caused accidents on the commuter line. Proponents say it’s the same deal given South Florida's Tri-Rail, but technically it’s not. Other states are refusing to write a blank check to create commuter rail. Yet as Congress examines such giveaways, Florida is rushing head-long into the worst deal ever for taxpayers. more...
Wrong Route
This deal would create a freight super-railway through inland Florida, sending up to 54 trains a day through some communities. Yet these towns were given no voice in this 100-year decision because officials negotiated the deal in secret. The wheels are greased to push this deal through the Florida Legislature this spring, no matter the concerns of citizens. more...
Little Buy-In
This deal didn't bubble up from citizens. Orlando residents ranked commuter rail 20th of 21 transportation priorities. Only 9 percent have a positive impression of this business-backed deal. Rather than a rail system that would take only 3,500 commuters off Interstate 4, citizens would prefer more funding for the Lynx bus system, which carries 80,000 riders per day. more...
