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Absolutely. One of the many advantages of high speed rail it is one of the most environmentally friendly ways to travel. In fact, environmental groups such as the Audubon Society, Sierra Club and Defenders of Wildlife have all endorsed the concept of high speed rail as an important part of Florida’s transportation policy. First, because it can usually run parallel to existing highway infrastructure, it has less impact on the environment. (The route between Tampa and Orlando would actually run in the median of I-4 most of the way.) Second, the highly efficient train engines, consume much less fuel per passenger mile than automobiles and release much less pollution into the air.

A lot less time than it takes you to drive or even to fly. What makes high speed rail succeed when other forms of mass transit fail is that because it gets you to your destination so quickly, it will become the first choice for many travelers. Travel times from downtown Tampa to Orlando International Airport will be less than an hour. You could make the trip from Miami to Tampa in 2.5 hours.

The first segment will link Orlando and Tampa, traveling along the median of Interstate-4 most of the way. To adopt this route, the Florida High Speed Rail Authority (FHSRA) conducted public hearings and listened to proposals from individuals and business interests. In the end, they decided on a route they believe will carry the highest number of passengers, provide the greatest benefit, and be the most financially successful. Other routes and alignments haven’t been decided yet, but you can get an idea of what the future might hold by examining the Vision Plan map here.

A wide range of services and prices are envisioned. Someone traveling between Orlando and Tampa will pay a $9.60 discounted commuter fare. Just as with an airline ticket, many factors can affect a ticket’s price: how much ahead of time is the ticket purchased; whether it’s part of a package; the time of travel; and the level of service and amenities.

High speed rail designers recognize that a seamless transition to the next mode of transportation is one of the keys to a successful system. Travelers will have a wealth of options including light rail, taxi, limousine, bus, rental cars, and other possibilities, with connections being quick and easy. Already, private sector firms are working on their ideas and proposals. And by creating “multi-modal” hubs for city transportation planners, high speed rail helps city’s to build more efficient mass transit systems.

Federal funding for the project, to date, amounts to $9.15 million and State funding so far is $9 million. Despite the Governor’s veto of the state appropriation in 2003, the federal government, thanks to Senator Bill Nelson, Congressman Adam Putnam and other members of the Florida delegation, the Feds supported the project with $4 million. Senator Nelson and Congressman Putnam assure us that they will continue to fight for federal funding.

This site, www.floridabullettrain.com, provides a wealth of information on the project and its benefits. Browse through to find out more!

No. The contract between The Florida High Speed Rail Authority and The Fluor-Bombardier - Virgin Group Consortium will specifically state that the ridership is guaranteed by the Consortium and that no subsidies will be sought or authorized.

A bullet train or high speed rail is a train that goes very fast, at leaset 125 mph. Some trains used in Japan and Europe can go more than 200 mph. It is not like any of the conventional trains, light rail or subways in the U.S. today.

Transportation experts believe bullet trains can operate economically in many parts of the U.S., including Florida.

Bullet trains go so fast in order to be a sensible alternative to airplanes and cars. Travel time between Tampa and Miami, for instance, would be less than two hours.

Yes. The train operates on a track that is used only for the bullet train; it does not share the track with freight or any other trains and it does not cross any roads or highways.

Because Florida is growing so fast. This is the fastest-growing large state in the Union. There are 16.5 million Floridians today. Between 1990 and 2010, our resident population will grow by 38 percent and our roads will become 52 percent more crowded despite our building roads at a furious pace.

Yes. In November 2000, nearly 3 million voters changed the state's Constitution to require the state to begin building a bullet train system by November 2003.

Yes. This is a partnership between private enterprise and the state. To build the first leg of the system (Tampa to Orlando), the state will need to provide about $75 million per year. This would be less than 1.5 percent of the state’s $6.5 billion transportation budget.

The money for high speed rail need not come from any other part of the budget or cause taxes to go up. In fact, construction of the first segment of the bullet train will create 7,000 new jobs and $9 billion in economic benefits.