Jacksonville – Orlando – Tampa

This new corridor connects rapidly growing Southeast business, population, and tourist centers while increasing travel options through the communities along these heavily traveled corridors. 

The new and improved Amtrak service proposed for the Florida Network is projected to generate a combined $338 million in annual economic impact in the region and nearly $3.5 billion in economic activity from one-time capital investments.

Jacksonville, Orlando, and Tampa are currently served by three daily long-distance routes, the Silver Star, Silver Meteor, and the Auto Train. Jacksonville – Orlando – Tampa corridor service would provide much-needed additional frequencies, improving connectivity along the corridor. The three cities have experienced a recent population boom. Tampa, Orlando, and Jacksonville have seen population increases of  20% ,  20% , and  11% , respectively. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recorded over 1 million new jobs in the three cities since 2000. Fortune 500 companies such as Publix Supermarkets, WellCare Health Plans, CSX, Fidelity National Information Services, Darden Restaurants, and Fidelity National Financial are located along the corridor. The Orlando metro area offers high-profile tourist attractions such as Universal Studios Orlando and Walt Disney World. 

• Jacksonville, FL
• Palatka, FL 
• DeLand, FL 
• Sanford, FL
• Winter Park, FL 
• Orlando, FL
• Kissimmee, FL 
• Lakeland, FL 
• Tampa, FL

Currently, only one round trip service exists between Tampa and Jacksonville. Most of local traffic between the two cities relies on various interstates throughout Florida. Since much of Florida’s interior land is environmentally protected Everglades, there are few highways that run east to west. Limited transportation alternatives for residents and visitors create traffic congestion on existing highways systems.  

The North Florida Transportation Planning Organization found that Jacksonville commuters lost nearly  7.7 million more hours  to traffic delays in 2017 than 2013, with congestion increasing by 135% over four years. In 2017, Orlando, commuters  spent  57 hours a year in traffic, resulting in regional costs of $1.1 billion or $1,007 per commuter. Meanwhile, Tampa was  ranked  as the second-most congested area in Florida in 2018. 

Jacksonville – Orlando – Tampa Amtrak service would create new connections between major metropolitan cities, medium-sized cities, and colleges and universities. Students, their families, faculty, and staff will be able to take advantage of frequent Amtrak service to avoid traffic between destinations and to enjoy greater productivity or relaxation while they travel.

Colleges and universities served by the Jacksonville – Orlando – Tampa corridor include: 

• University of North Florida (Student Population: 17,000) 
• Jacksonville University (Student Population: 4,000) 
• St. Johns River State College (Student Population: 7,000) 
• Stetson University (Student Population: 4,000) 
• Full Sail University (Student Population: 21,000) 
• Rollins College (Student Population: 2,600) 
• University of Central Florida (Student Population: 72,000) 
• Valencia College (Student Population: 66,000) 
• Florida Southern College (Student Population: 3,500) 
• Southeastern University (Student Population: 7,000) 
• Polk State College (Student Population: 16,000) 
• Florida Polytechnic University (Student Population: 1,300)  
• The University of Tampa (Student Population: 9,600) 
• University of South Florida (Student Population: 51,000)