Quote:
Originally Posted by Lakelander
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Most of the opposition is based upon two issues,
train horns and accessibility.
Establishing quiet zones isn't cheap and local governments wish to see FEC pick up that additional cost. All the FEC is required to do by federal law is the sound the horn on the trains at intersections. It's up to local cities to ask the FRA, plan, fund, build, and maintain the infrastructure for the implementation of quiet zones. Being quiet and being safe are two different things.
Intermediate cities and counties not getting a station initially want one too. They feel they are being left out getting none of the advantages (benefits) while getting all of the disadvantages (troubles). That's true with just about every rail project, high speed or not, some cities are bypassed.
My take: If the intermediate cities want train services, they can always implement their own transit service to do so using their own resources, then contract with FEC to use their tracks and build train stations on their property. Put some of their own skin into the game. Privately ran railroads will always cherry pick what services they will be willing to provide to maximize profits. A good place to start implementing a transit agency is by assuming the costs for implementing quiet zones establishing a working relationship with the private railroad company. If the intermediate cities aren't willing to accept the costs of implementing quiet zones, what creditability will they establish creating a transit agency?