South Florida Transportation Part II

[miamipaintball]

Originally Posted by spellbound

Um, yes.

I've also been noticing how Des Moines has a certain "Prague" feel to it.

..um,lolwut

fl is getting $342 million in more funding for HSR.. from states that refused it.., maybe we can get teh east/west extension on metrorail after all?

http://www.justnews.com/travelgetawa...31/detail.html

The Obama administration is taking $1.2 billion in high-speed rail money away from Ohio and Wisconsin and awarding it to 12 other states, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said Thursday.

Both Ohio and Wisconsin have elected incoming Republican governors who oppose the rail projects. Those governors, whose states have been hit hard by the economic downturn, had asked if they could divert the money to other projects.

But LaHood said he was awarding the money to states that are eager to have it for their rail projects.

High-speed trains will not only improve transportation but reinvigorate manufacturing and put people back to work in jobs that pay well, LaHood predicted in a statement.

States gaining the most money include California, $624 million; Florida, $342 million; Washington, $161 million; and Illinois, $42 million. Other states receiving lesser amounts include New York, Maine, Massachusetts, Oregon, North Carolina, Iowa, Vermont and Indiana.

A commuter rail line in Wisconsin between Milwaukee and Chicago will still get about $2 million.

In Ohio, Gov.-elect John Kasich had declared dead a project that would have created passenger train service between Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland. He had requested that LaHood allow him to use the $400 million in federal funds on other transportation projects like road construction or freight lines.

The economic recovery law that authorized funding for high-speed rail projects stipulated that the funds can't be used for other purposes, however.

Kasich also sought to have the money returned to the federal treasury to reduce the deficit if it couldn't be used to meet other Ohio needs. "He finds it tragic that instead of saving taxpayer money, they would simply waste it elsewhere," said Rob Nichols, Kasich's spokesman.

Kasich has said that the top speed of 79 miles per hour on the proposed Ohio project is too slow and questioned whether enough people would ride it.

But outgoing Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland, a Democrat, said he "can't understand the logic of giving up these vital, job-creating resources to California and Florida at a time when so many Ohioans need jobs."

Wisconsin Gov.-elect Scott Walker campaigned against a Madison-to-Milwaukee rail line, which would have received $810 million, as a waste of taxpayer money. Walker also said he didn't want to commit the state to annual operating subsidies once the line was complete, although the project's supporters predicted it would make money. Walker on Thursday called the death of the proposed line "a victory."

Walker had also sought to spend the money on other Wisconsin projects such as roads and bridges.

The loss of the rail project is "a tragic moment" for Wisconsin, said outgoing Gov. Jim Doyle, a Democrat.

Without rail between Milwaukee and Madison, it will be difficult for Midwestern leaders to fulfill their vision of having 110-mph trains linking Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison and Minneapolis-St. Paul. The route was a key segment in the Midwest Regional Rail Initiative effort by nine states.

Political leaders in states benefiting from the cancellation of the Wisconsin and Ohio projects have been lobbying for a share of the $1.2 billion since Election Day.

Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California said, "No other state is as ready, as able, or as determined to develop a high-speed rail system in the near future."

California is working toward the construction of a system that would extend some 800 miles, linking Sacramento and San Francisco to San Diego. Construction is expected to begin in late 2012.

In Florida, Gov.-elect Rick Scott, a Republican, has opposed spending state funds to help build an 84-mile bullet train line between Tampa and Orlando. But Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Fla., said that the new money -- combined with $280 million the state has already agreed to put up and $2 billion previously committed by the federal government -- is enough to fully cover the $2.65 billion price tag for construction.

"The federal government has stepped up and done its part," Nelson said in a statement. "There should be no reason now why this can't get done."

[spellbound]

Originally Posted by miamipaintball

..um,lolwut

fl is getting $342 million in more funding for HSR.. from states that refused it.., maybe we can get teh east/west extension on metrorail after all?

I wish, but that money is strictly connected to HSR.

I've given up on Metrorail. It was born when I was a young man, I'll be dead before it's ever the system once envisioned.

My hope is for light-rail initiatives...but even that seems like a pipe-dream sometimes.

[miamipaintball]

Originally Posted by spellbound

I wish, but that money is strictly connected to HSR.

I've given up on Metrorail. It was born when I was a young man, I'll be dead before it's ever the system once envisioned.

My hope is for light-rail initiatives...but even that seems like a pipe-dream sometimes.

i feel your pain, im young just turned 18 and this picture saddens me so much..knowing we could be a space faring civilization, but certain govts choose to spend money on other unimportant things... what makes it worse is when ill be older around 80 it will be cheap enough most likely for your average joe to go to space

[theDirector]

Originally Posted by miamipaintball

i feel your pain, im young just turned 18 and this picture saddens me so much..knowing we could be a space faring civilization, but certain govts choose to spend money on other unimportant things... what makes it worse is when ill be older around 80 it will be cheap enough most likely for your average joe to go to space

LOL! Love the jpeg. Our Mass Transit System is not the worst, but far from adequate to modern world cities. We have become a world destination and have been for quite sometime. We still have no real sufficient Mass Public Transit. : (

[miami305]

I am not sure if any of you guys use public transportation....I choose to do it....and this is a pic a took today of the new buses "S" Miami-Dade is driving now....they are really nice...and smooth.....
image hosted on flickr

[xerxesjc28]

Those are the new "green" elongated buses right? They look awesome from the outside to me (especially compared to the other buses). I have yet to ride one though. I wish the seats had a bit more cushion though (or maybe they do, I am just going by the pictures.

If I could complain (perhaps I should send this in to MDT) the main things that need to be addressed on buses are:

1. Controlled ac that won't get too cold or hot. I have been on many buses that are absolutely freezing and require passengers to bring a sweater with them.

2. Fumigation. I have been on way to many buses that are crawling with roaches. On one bus I have seen something like a half-dozen roaches pouring out under the leg that hold the seats up.

3. Cleaner buses. Some buses have food left on them, trash, toenails (ewww), there needs to be constant cleaning of these buses. The seats should also be changed often so you don't have to sit on dried "stains".

4. More comfort. Either more cushioned seats or t.v.'s on the buses, (I believe L.A.'s buses have t.v.'s in them).

[miami305]

...Agreed 100%...with all the money they collect daily you would think the "old" buses will be clean and w/o roaches...... The new ones are clean, smell new and have no roaches...yet...provided people do not eat inside the buses and leave trash behind....I mean...I don't understand why people do that...why they have to be so nasty about it? I have seem it personally and the bus drivers do not tell them anything.....I only ride the 'S" line...which I think (IMO) is one of the cleanest bus line....I can only imagine Lines 3, J, L, M, and 183........

[miamipaintball]

Originally Posted by miami305

...Agreed 100%...with all the money they collect daily you would think the "old" buses will be clean and w/o roaches...... The new ones are clean, smell new and have no roaches...yet...provided people do not eat inside the buses and leave trash behind....I mean...I don't understand why people do that...why they have to be so nasty about it? I have seem it personally and the bus drivers do not tell them anything.....I only ride the 'S" line...which I think (IMO) is one of the cleanest bus line....I can only imagine Lines 3, J, L, M, and 183........

ive taken the flagler ( 11) bus to downtown and FIU a couple times. and there are always homeless sleeping on them or begging for money, its quite disgusting and a reason why people dont like PT

[SkyDiveJunkee]

With the most recent infusion of $$ into high speed rail, it seems almost a done deal that the Tampa/Orlando extension will be built, bringing it one step closer to the Miami/Orlando link. In my opinion, this should have been the first link (but what is done is done). I wonder what the rationale behind linking Tampa/Orlando in Phase I over Miami/Orlando (which is a perfect distance for true high speed rail).

[xerxesjc28]

We have already discussed the reasons, which are that the Tampa/Orlando line is shorter,easier,has land aquired already, cheaper,and faster to build. The current governor elect could still stop it but, due to Winsconsin and Ohio giving back the feds money that was slated for HSR we now have all we need to finish building it.

Rick Scott seems to be for it only if the state does not need to spend any money. Which does not bold well for the Orlando/Miami route, since the state will need to give some money for it. Also, the incoming house commitee chair of transportation Mica (whos from Tampa) is not for (ironically) Florida HSR, instead wants the money to be spent in the NE of the USA.

[Bobdreamz]

The first people mover car has arrived at MIA and was lifted up unto the guideway.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/and look for the Miami Dade section & scroll down to the video section. There is a short video of it there and they look very cool!

[ftlauddude]

OLD News!

Originally Posted by ftlauddude

Just so you know..today I saw the MIA Mover moving (drive-test) on the new platform...it's getting closer to completion...

Originally Posted by ftlauddude

Here's a picture of what I meant...

Originally Posted by Södermalm

thanks for posting.

there is also an article with video and pictures of the mia mover trains being installed at the miami herald:
http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/12/0...es-at-mia.html

[Bobdreamz]

^ maybe old news to you but it's new to me! I live in Orlando now so it's hard to keep up with current events in Miami.

[J42]

I read on Transit Miami that the MPO is taking suggestions on ways to reduce traffic. Go figure, they get paid to do the thinking for us yet they want our input. Regardless this is a great opportunity to throw some ideas their way. I already sent a few messages with ideas to expand rail. The link for MPO is http://www.miamidade.gov/mpo/m12-plans-upwp.htm
and the article on Transit Miami is
http://www.transitmiami.com/2010/12/...all-for-ideas/

[miami305]

[Seriously]

Originally Posted by miami305

Let's see...walking, bus, MetroMover, MetroRail, car....5.

[xerxesjc28]

BTW, has anyone tried getting on bus 11 at that stop during rush hour? I kid you not when I say you might as well as build a escalator (think they called travelator actually), that goes from government center down 11 street.

I say this because if you watch when a bus 11 arrives at government center it will in about 3 minutes get full then have to leave, the next bus then arrives and also gets packed in about 3 minutes, etc. Most of that time is spent just having people wait in line to pay. It has to be by far the most used bus route in the county.

[tampasteve]

Originally Posted by miami305

That wrap for Wachovia looks pretty good on the train!

Steve

[mr jones]

Trouble at Transit: Is agency in control?
Miami-Dade's transit agency, facing a suspension of federal grant funds, has been beset by infighting and confusion as a recent federal audit flagged a lack of financial controls.

BY ALFONSO CHARDY, MARTHA BRANNIGAN AND MATTHEW HAGGMAN
MHAGGMAN@MIAMIHERALD.COM


In April 2009, a janitor sweeping Miami-Dade Transit's office made a startling discovery: In an empty cubicle on the 16th floor of the county's Overtown Transit Village complex, the cleaner found wads of cash totaling $9,863 and old checks for $14,772.
The former employee who had occupied the desk, Jeffrey Bechdel, helped run the county's seven-day Visitor Pass program, which sold weekly passes for bus and Metrorail. For 2 ½ years, before leaving Transit in January 2009, he stuffed the sale proceeds in his desk drawer. ``I'm a lousy bookkeeper,'' he later told police.
Police pegged possible losses at $120,000, but the staffer wasn't criminally charged. The reason: There was no evidence he stole, and investigators determined the agency was riddled with administrative flaws, including failing to create a system to deposit money from the pass sales.
``It was like they didn't want to bother with me,'' said Bechdel, adding that he never took any money nor was asked by superiors about where the money was going.
It was a sign of deeper woes.
Miami-Dade Transit is now under federal regulators' microscope, and at the heart of the inquiry are concerns about financial controls at the county department slated to spend more than $800 million in operating and capital costs this fiscal year.
In November, the Federal Transit Administration took the extraordinary step of suspending grant payments totaling some $182 million to Miami-Dade Transit. The FTA cited concerns about the ``effectiveness of internal controls,'' including improper accounting of bus fare boxes and a failure to document how federal dollars are spent.
Since the funding cutoff was first disclosed in The Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald, county officials have scrambled to reassure Wall Street rating agencies that Miami-Dade's massive bond program remains financially solid.
TOUGHER TO FUND
Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart, a Miami-Dade Republican who sits on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, said the transit agency's latest woes further tarnish its image in Washington, D.C., making it tougher for him to advocate for funding.
``It does have an impact on their credibility,'' Diaz-Balart said. ``They need to clean up their act. We've made that point time and time again.''
The impasse, which could drag on for several months, follows allegations within county government of misconduct and incompetence. It includes the charge that county leaders misled federal auditors, according to more than a dozen interviews and hundreds of internal documents, including memos and e-mails.
The documents and interviews show the third-largest county agency was beset by infighting, confusion about job responsibilities, and a deep lack of trust that festered in plain view of federal auditors.
Even as top county officials became aware of the spiraling crisis in September, they did not take steps to prevent the meltdown.
When employees complained directly to the federal auditor about being wrongly blamed for flaws in the agency's revenue reporting, at least one senior leader sought to quell the discontent.
``Why are we airing dirty linen in front of others?'' Assistant County Manager Ysela Llort, who oversees transit, wrote to the Assistant Transit Director Marjan Mazza in an Oct. 29 e-mail.
Mazza, who clashed with her boss, Transit Director Harpal Kapoor, became the most outspoken critic of leadership. She was fired Nov. 23, and a subordinate, Transit's Controller Joelle Janvier, was reassigned the same day.

....

Full Story - http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/12/25/1988687/trouble-at-transit-is-agency-in.html#storylink=fbuser#ixzz19EZnHQrz

http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/12/2...orylink=fbuser

[victorino08]

I think we will be better off if the federal government controls untill they "clean up their act" like Mario Diaz-Balart said.