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FOIA Request Reveals Why Amtrak Pulled Out of Planned Station at Miami International (www.trains.com)

submitted 2 weeks ago by TrueStoryBob to c/amtrak

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"Amtrak's decision not to move to a station adjacent to Miami International airport was based on estimates that relocating its existing station at Hialeah would generate an additional 20,000 riders and $2 million in yearly revenue but would cost $5 million annually to execute, according to information it released in response to a Freedom of Information Act request."

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[–] TrueStoryBob 3 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (2 children)

I get it, that's obvious, but it's a public service... and there's public money available. Tons of tax payer money goes into unprofitable endeavors that still serve a public good and are needed public services (for example: the overwhelming majority of libraries turn no profit, but they are seen as a public good and are funded). An airport-rail connection (especially one enhancing the existing connection of an airport to a metropolitan downtown) is most definitely a public good... why not fight to make it happen? Makes no sense.

The Dade County, the City of Miami, and the Miami International Airport are majority tax payer funded organizations... so is Amtrak. Why not look at the public good this stop would do and fight to get the public monies to make it happen? Just still makes no sense.

[–] AA5B 2 points 2 weeks ago

Amtrak has always had a limited budget, and has to prioritize. They can’t afford to lose this kind of money. Your argument should be directed at those who limit its budget.

I believe amtrak has to break even on operating costs but get funding for capital improvements, or something like that. Or maybe that’s past tense now.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Florida is too red for that kind of "public good" conversation.

Flying is also still a kind of luxury transportation so this would (to my guess) mostly serve upper middle class vacationers subsidized by locals.

[–] TrueStoryBob 1 points 2 weeks ago

Miami isn't as red as the rest of the state... they already have a half cent sales tax for the Metromover downtown and that system is not only free to use it's getting an expansion. A type of SPLOST (Special Penny Local Option Sales Tax) could bring in the monies needed.