All Aboard Florida is a scheme of Florida East Coast Industries to run passenger trains from Miami to north Titusville then west to Orlando. FEC runs freight trains up and down the east coast of Florida, Jacksonville to Miami. They now want to run over the same tracks 32 passenger trains per day at 125 mph from Miami to Orlando. There are no stops planned between West Palm and Titusville. Every municipality and county will have to pony up millions of dollars for upgraded crossings. Additionally there is an increase in traffic interruptions, which has implications for public safety (police/fire/ems) and likely new buildings required to mitigate impact from increase traffic disruption. That’s the tip of the iceberg. Several counties are suing.
They haven’t disclosed their ridership estimates. They want to issue tax exempt bonds, the Florida Development Finance Corporation (state) is meeting in a few weeks. More: http://www.floridanotallaboard.net/news/fdfc-is-not-empowered-to-grant-1-7-billion-in-tax-exempt-bonds/
I’m aware of this because it effects my area.
My mother is in an area that is affected as well and why I know the little bit about it that I do. I cannot imagine the traffic problems all those additional train trips per day is going to cause.