U.S. to take bids for $2.4 billion in returned rail funds

[iheartthed]

I took the train from Pontiac a while ago. It was miserable through Detroit. The tracks and the scheduling stunk. It made more sense to get on in Ann Arbor than to put up with the other head aches. But that's not saying the Ann Arbor station is a winner. I just don't see any rail system working when boarding points don't make any effort to entice riders. IMO, the Ann Arbor station can get by without much a parking lot. Lots of kids going for a ride. Same in East Lansing.

Well, to be clear here, we're talking about an entirely new train line, not the existing track that Amtrak uses. If/when one is ever built, it will probably run along I-94 and stop 1) somewhere near downtown Detroit, 2) Metro Airport, and 3) Ann Arbor .

[ghettopalmetto]

FL Gov Rick Scott lives in a Sarah Palin bubble, no sense to his single-handed rejection of rail $$$.

I-4 is v. congested - fast train [[if it worked) might make sl. less-crowded Tampa more a bedroom community [[already is) for overstuffed Orlando, also bring mondo retirees from FL's west coast to Wally World, Universal, etc. Mucho profito, all ways.

Needed $$$ was on the table - Scott killed it, citing [[falsely) high maintenance costs [[$3B, wtf???) FL "ole boys" backed rail, still trying to form consortium to getdat $2.4B back... funny, if we-all's not inna recession.

Tampa-Orlando could've been the first link in a Florida rail net - think: lotsa old farts, don't drive at nite, like to travel, have $$ to spend... but our Pee Party Genius killed da deal. Sheesh.

Kudos to MI if you get the money.

This is what drives me nuts about the short-term thinking of the Tea Party folks. High speed rail--and all infrastructure, for that matter--*should* be a nonpartisan issue, but the Rick Scotts, Scott Walkers, and John Kasiches of the nation have made it decidedly partisan. Then they're the first people to piss and moan that gasoline is "expensive".

Then, of course, they go and pay lip service to "the will of the people". Bullshit.

[Richard]

Kinda makes one wonder how things would have been had Ross Perot actually won and is it really wise to run a state like a business?

[Lferg]

Lot of talk here about the Tampa/Orlando rail, so let me just say this. By the time I get in my car, drive to the train station, pay for parking, pay my train ticket, wait for the train, get to Orlando, and then take a cab to my final destination....sorry....could have drove it faster and cheaper. NOW, a train between Tampa and Miami? That makes sense. Orlando to Tampa - none.

[ghettopalmetto]

Lot of talk here about the Tampa/Orlando rail, so let me just say this. By the time I get in my car, drive to the train station, pay for parking, pay my train ticket, wait for the train, get to Orlando, and then take a cab to my final destination....sorry....could have drove it faster and cheaper. NOW, a train between Tampa and Miami? That makes sense. Orlando to Tampa - none.

So you personally wouldn't ride the train, therefore nobody would ride the train, right? Guess you should just tell all of those European tourists that it's faster and cheaper to rent a car and drive, huh?

You do know that the second phase would have been an extension of high speed rail to Miami, right?

[Richard]

Actually you would fly from Michigan with your family to Orlando airport Jump on the train to disney stay on disney property for a couple of days then from there you would once again jump on the train to Tampa downtown and see the more relaxed sites then in the evening you can jump on the street car and go to Ybor city for some drinks and entertainment then the next day you could also jump on the bus and go visit Bush Gardens for the day or you might even call the Hard Rock Casino shuttle and spend a few hours there.

A whole weeks vacation without the need for a car.

High speed rail is pointless without the supporting systems. I can see the same in Detroit when the Woodward rail is ready then one could use that to hook up with the HS rail without the use of a car.

[Zozo]

Looks like we are getting something.

http://detnews.com/article/20110506/...l-announcement

[stasu1213]

I don't think that Snyder and Bing are serious about getting high speed rail in Michigan so the Feds will take their money back. Had they been serious about this thing Bing and Snyder would had jumped on the idea a while ago. I believe that there is an element controlling these politicians who want Michigan to remain car dependent especially Detroit.

[Gistok]

I don't think that Snyder and Bing are serious about getting high speed rail in Michigan so the Feds will take their money back. Had they been serious about this thing Bing and Snyder would had jumped on the idea a while ago. I believe that there is an element controlling these politicians who want Michigan to remain car dependent especially Detroit.

How did you come to that conclusion? Snyder has only been in office since January.... and this years appropriations were decided on last year?? It was only due to the stupidity of other governors that these funds are available now....