Central Florida Sunrail

digitalbeachbum's picture

Tomorrow my daughter and I will try to use the new Sunrail system which opened for business in May. The only reason why I want to try it is because I actually have a opportunity to use it. The rail has a station in Altamonte Springs and goes to Orlando near where my daughter has an event. I figured this is going to be my only chance to use it so WTF, I'll give it a shot.

I plan on getting a two way ticket for me (my daughter is just enough under the age limit that she rides for free, yippee) which will cost me $3.75. Calculating the miles to the station it will cost me (round trip) $3.00 in gas. If I were to drive straight to my destination it would cost me $7.00 (round trip). $7.50 to take the train. $6.00 to drive round trip.

Time though is another factor. To drive to my destination it is 42 minutes round trip. To take the train it is 69 minutes.

When they were planning this "project", our shithead Governor said he refused the Federal money to build a light rail system, but after the voters voted for it he decided that using $1.2 billion of our own tax payer money was a better idea. Not that it makes a huge difference but I would have taken the billions from the Feds.

The train tracks used are tracks used by industrial trains carrying cargo, but it seems they have re-routed them to different tracks to avoid issues. Also the tracks go through many industrial areas which now are owned by big spending investors who want to build condos and apartments along with shops and restaurants, etc nearby. All the land was gobbled up by developers who knew what was going to happen before the people knew. They knew where the stops would be so they go prime land really cheap.

Over all the project is a fucking joke, a piece of shit, highly limited, train service which only benefits a few people.

I seriously hate politicians.

Vastet's picture

Sounds similar to Toronto.

Sounds similar to Toronto.

Enlightened Atheist, Gaming God.

Beyond Saving's picture

digitalbeachbum wrote: When

digitalbeachbum wrote:

 

When they were planning this "project", our shithead Governor said he refused the Federal money to build a light rail system, but after the voters voted for it he decided that using $1.2 billion of our own tax payer money was a better idea. Not that it makes a huge difference but I would have taken the billions from the Feds.

Of course. Why pay for it yourself when you can use police power to take from someone who would never use it?

 

Quote:

The train tracks used are tracks used by industrial trains carrying cargo, but it seems they have re-routed them to different tracks to avoid issues. Also the tracks go through many industrial areas which now are owned by big spending investors who want to build condos and apartments along with shops and restaurants, etc nearby. All the land was gobbled up by developers who knew what was going to happen before the people knew. They knew where the stops would be so they go prime land really cheap.

Well yeah. Why pay a bunch to build your own tracks when you can use police power to force everyone else to pay for it and then use your political connections to make sure you make a huge profit?

If, if a white man puts his arm around me voluntarily, that's brotherhood. But if you - if you hold a gun on him and make him embrace me and pretend to be friendly or brotherly toward me, then that's not brotherhood, that's hypocrisy.- Malcolm X

digitalbeachbum's picture

Just one more example of

Just one more example of crappy government decisions and lobbyists who cause success for a few and suffering for the many.