Palm Beach Post: Scott administration to All Aboard Florida: State ‘will not invest state dollars in your project’

By George Bennett

In the latest sign of the growing political sensitivity of the All Aboard Florida private passenger train, Gov. Rick Scott‘s transportation secretary sent a letter this week reiterating that the project won’t receive any state money.

Democrats have challenged Scott’s description of the project as a “100 percent private venture” since a news article described internal company bond documents which said the project might seek $44 million in state grants to link All Aboard Florida to a Miami rail system.

Along with concerns about public money for the train, many residents of northern Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast have raised noise and safety concerns about 32 passenger trains going through their communities along the existing FEC Railroad tracks near the coast.

Tuesday’s letter from DOT Secretary Ananth Prasad to All Aboard Florida President Michael Reininger was sent by DOT to the media on Wednesday.