Happening Now
Florida Action Alert: Support Next-Gen Trains to Orlando, Tampa
March 28, 2019
Attend a meeting in Orlando on Friday, April 5th to support Brightline
The Florida Development Finance Corporation (FDFC) is holding a Board of Directors meeting in Orlando on Friday April 5th to consider Virgin Trains USA (Brightline) application to market an additional $950 million in Private Activity Bonds.
These bonds are a new allocation in addition to $1.15 billion in bonds already allocated by USDOT and approved by FDFC. Upon completion of this next FDFC board approval, Virgin Trains USA will go to market for the full $2.1 billion. The bankers are ready to go!
The meeting will start with public comments, with no opening statements, followed by a Board discussion and vote. A small but vocal group of opponents from Indian River County—the last holdouts along the route—is expected to show up again and continue their efforts to stop Brightline/Virgin Trains from connecting to Orlando.
Passengers who want to see world class train service in the U.S.: please attend this meeting and show support for the Virgin/Brightline request!
All attendees are welcomed to speak for up to three minutes. But even if you don’t feel comfortable speaking, the presence of rail supporters will help counter the vocal opponents from Indian River County, who showed up in bus loads at the first hearing.
This is a make-or-break decision process for the Virgin/Brightline extension to Orlando and to Tampa. Americans should be applauding a private business spending its own money to expand the national rail network, not trying to kill the project. If you live in Central Florida, please show your support!
FDFC Board Meeting to approve Virgin Trains USA bonds
Date: Friday, April 5 Time: 3:00pm Location: Hyatt Regency, Orlando International Airport 9300 Jeff Fuqua Blvd, Orlando Airport Combined Rooms: Orly through Mirabel
"On behalf of Amtrak’s onboard service staff, I want to thank the Rail Passengers Association for honoring their hard work with this award. The past couple years have indeed been difficult for Amtrak onboard service staff – coping with furloughs and job insecurity, adapting to changing protocols and services, not to mention the unfortunate events such as a tragic derailment and a fatal shooting. Nevertheless, our dedicated members at Amtrak have handled these hurdles with the care, attention and diligence for which they’re known. We thank Rail Passengers for their acknowledgement of our members’ hard work and, as always, look forward to seeing you on the rails."
Arthur Maratea, TCU/IAM National President
December 21, 2021, on the Association awarding its 2021 Golden Spike Award to the Frontline Amtrak Employees.
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