WKMG Local 6 Orlando – All Aboard Florida meeting held in Brevard County

By Justin Warmoth

COCOA, Fla. – Dozens gathered inside the Cocoa Civic Center Wednesday evening for a workshop about potential impacts All Aboard Florida could bring to Brevard County.

The private rail system says their project will bring in an investment of $6.4 billion in Florida acting as an alternative route from Orlando to South Florida.

“This area, Miami to Orlando, is one of the most rapidly growing commercial centers in this hemisphere,” said Myles Tobin with All Aboard Florida. “That dynamic demands transportation alternatives that are convenient and reliable and we are going to be bringing that transportation alternative to this area.”

Tobin said 32 passenger trains will run a day from Orlando to Miami with stops in Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. As of right now, the high-speed trains will pass through central and southern Brevard, without any stops.

But Local 6 was told that could change down the road.

When Tobin was asked by Local 6 if Brevard County could one day see a stop, he replied, “It would really be a little premature to talk about a stop anywhere in addition to the stops that we have at the moment.”

“They’re giving these people the same story. Well maybe in the future we could have a stop here. I don’t buy it,” said Gerald Meyers.

Meyers drove up from Stuart to be at the workshop Wednesday. He’s with the grassroots organization Florida Not All Aboard and fears that the private company isn’t safe, is too loud and a waste of taxpayer money.

“It’s going to take a lot away from the communities instead of bringing it to the communities, especially ones where it’s not stopping,” Meyers said.

Another workshop will be held Thursday afternoon in Orlando.