This past Wednesday we all witnessed the unfolding of an extraordinary event, the announcement of the ending of five decades of diplomatic and military hostility between the United States of America and the Republic of Cuba.
The confluence of these events with Florida East Coast's decision to pursue private passenger rail service "for their own account" is truly quite remarkable and while I don't expect the Havana Special to be running all the way to Key West again any time soon (or ever for that matter) I do think this change could make a significant difference to railroad passenger ridership to Miami.
Fortuitously for Amtrak Miami Central Station, a new multi modal hub directly at Miami Airport, is now under construction with completion expected in 2015. I think we may see direct scheduled air service open for the general public to Havana reopened in 2015 and as such the opportunity for Amtrak in the near term may be quite significant.
Although I'm sure there are many factors regarding this question that make any attempt at analysis, "too early to predict" I think its worth explaining the situation to those who may not understand the significance of this change. In short it is something like this, in essence "overnight" as it were the United States has added an island nation of some 11,100,000+ people directly off its shores. For most economic intents and purposes this island ceased to exist 54 years ago with the imposition of the trade embargo and has not been seen since. Prior to the abrupt cessation of trade Cuba and the United States had levels of commerce, tourism, trade and shared interests that were comparable to the significance of entire Provinces of Canada economically speaking.
There will be some effect on railroad ridership, what or how much I certainly don't know. But given the immense amount of activity in Miami at present in regards merely to the railroads I think the thaw of Cuban American relations is among the single most momentous events in the 500 year history of Florida since the European discovery. Yes, it's that big of a deal. In more popular terms I would relate it to Disney and the development of Orlando. That is going to look like child's play compared to what revitalized trade, commerce and tourism will be with Cuba in the 21st century.
The confluence of these events with Florida East Coast's decision to pursue private passenger rail service "for their own account" is truly quite remarkable and while I don't expect the Havana Special to be running all the way to Key West again any time soon (or ever for that matter) I do think this change could make a significant difference to railroad passenger ridership to Miami.
Fortuitously for Amtrak Miami Central Station, a new multi modal hub directly at Miami Airport, is now under construction with completion expected in 2015. I think we may see direct scheduled air service open for the general public to Havana reopened in 2015 and as such the opportunity for Amtrak in the near term may be quite significant.
Although I'm sure there are many factors regarding this question that make any attempt at analysis, "too early to predict" I think its worth explaining the situation to those who may not understand the significance of this change. In short it is something like this, in essence "overnight" as it were the United States has added an island nation of some 11,100,000+ people directly off its shores. For most economic intents and purposes this island ceased to exist 54 years ago with the imposition of the trade embargo and has not been seen since. Prior to the abrupt cessation of trade Cuba and the United States had levels of commerce, tourism, trade and shared interests that were comparable to the significance of entire Provinces of Canada economically speaking.
There will be some effect on railroad ridership, what or how much I certainly don't know. But given the immense amount of activity in Miami at present in regards merely to the railroads I think the thaw of Cuban American relations is among the single most momentous events in the 500 year history of Florida since the European discovery. Yes, it's that big of a deal. In more popular terms I would relate it to Disney and the development of Orlando. That is going to look like child's play compared to what revitalized trade, commerce and tourism will be with Cuba in the 21st century.
gokeefe
