Florida Reaches Agreement to Help Connect Orlando and Miami by Passenger Rail

On Wednesday, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) joined with All Aboard Florida (AAF) to announce they had reached an agreement to give AAF the right of way on parts of State Road 528 in Central Florida. AAF is planning to connect Orlando and the southeastern part of the state with passenger rail service. AAF will pay FDOT $275,000 a year, allowing adjustments for inflation, for the next 50 years.

This lease is another example of how our economic policies work to create private-sector jobs for Florida families and develop the best transportation and infrastructure system in the country, Gov. Rick Scott said in a statement on Wednesday.

I am pleased to sign this lease between the department and All Aboard Florida in what will become the nations first privately financed, operated and maintained passenger rail system, said FDOT Secretary Anath Prasad. This high-speed passenger rail service will offer transportation choices for our residents and visitors traveling between Orlando and Miami at no cost to state taxpayers.