I’ve lost count of how many times Florida has put high speed rail on a ballot and got votes overwhelmingly to find a way to make it happen. And it still doesn’t have it. If Florida had done what the population wanted back in the 90s, it would already be paid off and it would be an entirely different, more modernized and connected state. But “it was too costly”.
I know a ban is a bit different, but it’s an example of how just because the will of the people is expressed, it’s no guarantee.
Man Florida is a long state and mostly flat. Not sure if the wetlands screw things up but I imagine it is a nearly ideal state for rail.
Too bad it is full of Florida men.
The shock is realizing that Florida Man is just because of open criminal records, not because of region. There’s “Florida men” everywhere, just in different flavors. Be careful out there.
Ideal is a circle; long is just more expensive. Flat is really good though.
I’m in NZ; we have long and hilly/mountainous, rail is not good here. I wish it were, I love trains.
I mean, it does absolutely pour rain every day for about 5 minutes (in my experience), but if that is an issue I imagine the trains could just, stop for that 5 minutes. Because it literally just comes and instantly goes, but also it’s an extremely heavy deluge.
Rain does not stop the high speed trains. An ocean - yes. Vertical ocean - definitely. Rain is a non issue.
Sure. Loads of salt, humidity, and wet squishy ground are great for steel tracks and super heavy trains…
Miami to Jacksonville in half the time as driving sounds great, but then you’re in Jacksonville without a car.
but then you’re in Jacksonville
without a car.That’s why they built the bypass long ago.
Jacksonville wasn’t part of the first one, it was Tampa - Orlando - Miami. Not sure about the others. Valid point, even with a train we’re so car dependent other things would also have to be in place for a lot of people to use it.
Building it helps stimulate demand for more non-car centric infrastructure. My city built a light rail years ago, and despite stopping at pretty much a single line, tons of development popped up at most of the stops and a lot of housing along the line. None of that would have happened in a car-free way without the rail coming first.
The US desperately needs a highspeed rail network to rival the interstate highway network. But of course, that can’t happen, America is too big for railroads, apparently.
That always made me mad, I voted for it every time, it would pass, and then nothing would come of it.
It was going to happen, using private funds to build and operate it for 10 years, before giving it over to the state, but Rick Scott killed it as soon as he took office as Governor, without ever mentioning it during his campaign.
Later, he backed a new conventional rail system, in which he has an ownership stake.
We better start seeing those RAM prices drop else just gotta start boycotting them into submission.
Take that! And that! And this!
Hooray!
I love this so much!
