Posted by  Joseph W.J. Robinson,P.E, Tampa,Florida on 09/20  at  01:54 PM

Kevin White, Candidate for Hillsborough County commission District 3 made Regional Rail part of his campaign early after seeing and reviewing the Orlando, Orange County, Volusia County, Oseola County and CSX joint regional effort come to life.

It is good to see the Mayor has come on board with this same approach that is needed for our the Tampa Bay Region to survive.  Hopefully, the mayor and Mr. White can work together to bring this effort to fruition.  Two great politicians trying to make a difference.

Posted by  Joseph W.J. Robinson,P.E, Tampa,Florida on 09/20  at  01:20 PM

Kevin White, Candidate for Hillsborough County commission District 3 made Regional Rail part of his campaign early after seeing and reviewing the Orlando, Orange County, Volusia County, Oseola County and CSX joint regional effort come to life.

It is good to see the Mayor has come on board with this same approach that is needed for our the Tampa Bay Region to survive.  Hopefully, the mayor and Mr. White can work together to bring this effort to fruition.  Two great politicians trying to make a difference.

Posted by  Otto Wall, Brandon on 09/20  at  08:56 AM

Do you think CSX will allow a regional transportation consortium to flood their tracks with commuters ?  Local governments cannot even force CSX to replace a leaking decrepit asbestos shingled roof at the Tampa Union Station passenger terminal. Mrs. Mayor we have more important issues.

Posted by  Marcella O'Steen, Balm FL on 09/20  at  07:09 AM

I’m for the rail plan. And hurry up with it as it’s way overdue.
And commuter buses running frequently every day from south county to the work centers in Tampa would be good in the meantime so people could park their cars and ride. The beltway idea is the boondoggle of the decade and should be tossed without wasting any more time even talking about it. All it would do is open up what’s left of rural Hillsborough to urban sprawl and would not relieve our traffic problems at all. We need rail, more buses, and POSSIBLY some time in the future, as we can afford it—a ferry across the bay, from south Hillsborough to Pinellas. How’s that for dreaming?

Posted by  Robert Cerajewski, Largo,FL on 09/20  at  07:06 AM

Good idea considering how many autos stream to and fro Orlando,dangerously
jambing I-4.
Commuters will be pleasantly allowed to relax and do business on the train before getting to work.
Not a bad Idea to buy a ticket and ride the circuit just for a “getaway” day as well.

Posted by  Phillip Paree, Largo on 09/19  at  07:00 PM

Not having a good mass transit system is why Tampa will ALWAYS play second fiddle to other cities in the South like Miami and Atlanta...and now even ORLANDO! Orlando...c’mon now...the population is much greater here than Orlando, true they have a bigger tourism industry but the first phase of their rail line is in the northern half of their metro area. Mayor Iorio is right...Tampa, and the entire Bay Area needs light and commuter rail. Keep fighting the good fight Mayor...hopefully you will come out on top!

Posted by  Michele Lopez, Riverview on 09/19  at  09:35 AM

I like the rail plan MUCH more than the beltway plan.  And, think it’s a great idea to use existing train tracks.

Something needs to be done about our congested roads.  And I think this is a great step towards helping that problem.

The next step would be CONTROLLING DEVELOPMENT!

Posted by  ted church, memphis, tn on 09/18  at  03:35 PM

maybe twenty-five, thirty years ago, when there was an opportunity to set population patterns and do it a whole lot more cheaply, a rail plan might have worked.  of course, remembering the “geniuses” who were serving in public office back then, residents were lucky the got running water every day.  even thinkingabout a feat today would be outrageously expensive and divisive, since those that didnt get service would be a-whining loudly.  you folks doomed yourselves thirty years ago by not demanding and expecting intelligent people to serve in elective offices.  glad i left!!