(The following story by Mark Matthews appeared on the Orlando Sentinel website on January, 28 2010.)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — An impasse between Amtrak and Florida transportation officials took a step toward resolution this week when the two sides met in a cramped Capitol Hill conference room to settle a feud that could hinder a new Florida rail system.
No deals were made, but participants said “tempers had cooled” since Amtrak threatened to block plans to build a commuter rail line in Central Florida called SunRail. Amtrak would share the track with SunRail and it wants help in getting protection from lawsuits in case of an accident.
“I think we had a positive discussion,” said Amtrak CEO Joseph Boardman.
CSX of Jacksonville received liability shielding as part of its deal to sell tracks to Florida for Sunrail; Amtrak wants similar coverage. Participants said Amtrak has pushed for greater lawsuit protections as the Obama administration has moved to expand commuter rail throughout the United States.
Getting that shielding for Amtrak, however, could be difficult as it could require agreement from the state legislature, which just finished a big battle over liability that cleared the way for SunRail. State officials are reluctant to repeat that fight and are looking at other options.
“We think we have some great concepts to work together with Amtrak,” said Stephanie Kopelousos, secretary of the state transportation department.
Directing the meeting were U.S. Reps. Corrine Brown of Jacksonville and John Mica of Winter Park. Both sit on the House transportation committee and were instrumental in getting SunRail approved.
“We had a very good dialogue [Wednesday] and we are going to continue it,” Brown said.