|  Who
will benefit from High Speed Rail?
Everyone will. You, your neighbors and your
state. High speed rail provides social, economic and environmental
benefits. Among those benefits are reduced travel time,
increased use of existing facilities and decreased air pollution.
The economic benefits of high speed rail
to Florida have been documented in several studies.
For the first planned segment of the system (Tampa to Orlando),
the economic benefits have been estimated at 6,5001
- 7,0002 new jobs, $8.5 billion2 in
total sales among Florida firms and $950 million1
in increased property values. If expanded to a statewide
system serving the five major urban areas of Florida, the
economic benefits of high speed rail would result in a substantial
number of additional new jobs, significantly increased earnings
for Florida workers and additional increases in the output,
sales and property values for the state economy.
1) Florida High Speed Rail Authority
Report to the Legislature, 2002
2) Coast – to – Coast Feasibility Study, Economic
Impact and Transportation Benefits Analysis, 2001
To read the complete reports, please go to click
here.
In 2002, the Florida Legislature approved
legislative findings concluding that high speed rail service
in Florida would result in significant benefits. The Legislature
also found that public use of high speed rail systems should
be encouraged and assured.
High speed rail can provide Florida residents
and visitors a fast, safe and dependable alternative for
city-to-city travel.
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