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[Sloan]

 

 

CSX's offer finally opens the door to commuter rail in Tampa Bay

 

There are 97 miles of railroad track connecting the downtowns of Clearwater, St. Petersburg and Tampa. The steel grating links Tampa International Airport to the University of South Florida, stretches across four counties and reaches as far north as Brooksville.

http://www.tampabay....mpa-bay/2248337

[Sloan]

 

 

CSX tracks may be route to commuter rail’s future

TAMPA — Is the solution to the Tampa Bay area’s mass transit woes already crisscrossing Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties?

That’s a question local planners will begin considering in the weeks and likely years to come as Jacksonville-based CSX Corp. considers selling off two rail lines that could conceivably be operated as commuter routes.

http://www.tbo.com/n...uture-20151025/

Edited by Sloan, 25 October 2015 - 09:21 AM.

[Sloan]

 

 

HART chairman: Commuter rail may not be best option

 

TAMPA — As the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority prepares to conduct a feasibility study of all “premium transit” options for the region, its board chairman is not convinced that converting CSX lines to commuter rail will prove the best option.

http://www.tbo.com/n...ption-20151207/

[KevinKorell]

TAMPA — As the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority prepares to conduct a feasibility study of all “premium transit” options for the region, its board chairman isn’t sure that purchasing CSX railroad lines and converting them for passenger traffic will benefit enough people to offset the cost, The Tampa Tribune reports.

A strong proponent for bus rapid transit, the board’s chairman, Mike Suarez, said he believes there may be a better path to address roadway congestion and give commuters more options.

The idea of converting two CSX routes into commuter rail has created a lot of excitement recently, with numerous local officials ready to jump on board. Under the CSX proposal, the Florida Department of Transportation would own, maintain and dispatch the lines for commuter use. CSX would retain perpetual freight rights. For the full story, click here.

Keywords

commuter rail   CSX   Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority   studies   

 

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