All Aboard Florida’s proposed 230-mile $1BB commuter rail line would go from Miami to Ft Lauderdale to West Palm Beach, Jacksonville, Orlando and Tampa, according to the Orlando Sentinel.   Service will be running at 2014 – with no risk to taxpayers.  Travel time from Miami to Orlando is estimated to be three hours with day long service from early morning to evening.

Anticipated are 6,000 construction jobs for Floridians and 400 jobs to operate the rail service.   Workers will also be needed to build station houses at some stops.  Amenities will include Wi-Fi internet service, gourmet meals, reserved business and coach class seating and easy-on, easy-off baggage compartments.

Annual anticipated travelers: 50MM.  It is estimated to take 3MM cars off the road whose drivers will use the rails instead, resulting in less congestion on I95..  There will be access to major international airports, seaports and existing commuter and rail systems including Metrorail and SunRail.

Bids are due by 12-7-012, then review of costs by FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) follows, and winners will be chosen by 12-18-2012.  Interested companies must attend a mandatory meeting on 11-13-2012 at FDOT headquarters in DeLand.

All Aboard Florida is a wholly owned subsidiary of Florida East Coast Industries, based in Coral Gables, a privately owned, operated and maintained passenger rail service.  It is one of Florida’s largest full-service commercial real estate and infrastructure companies. 

This will be a solution for millions of Floridians and tourists, for both business and pleasure trips.  Expectation is to include 200 miles of existing tracks from Miami to Cocoa and a new 40-mile rail line from Cocoa to Orlando International Airport is to be built.