Is All Aboard Florida A Match For Jacksonville?

An economic-projections study indicates that AAF will have significant economic benefits on the state. AAF is projected to have a six billion dollar positive impact on the state’s economy over the next eight to ten years. Moreover, AAF is expected to serve as a source of growth and prosperity for Florida and its citizens, creating over ten thousand jobs per year. In addition, AAF will add approximately three billion dollars in gross domestic production, two billion dollars in labor income and over six hundred million in tax revenue. AAF is also expected to boost the state’s production of goods and services to over five hundred million dollars a year for at least the first five years.

One major reason that AAF is moving forward, compared to other companies like it, is because AAF is private, rather than government, owned. Compared to companies such as Amtrak, AAF will be in intra-state rail line, rather than an inter-state one (which circumvents much of the Federal red tape involved in crossing state lines). This means that when AAF gets their trains up and operating, they will strictly be a Florida line. Additionally, AAF does not fall under the umbrella of fear, aversion, or lack of leadership, much like companies such as JTA have proved in the past.


Proposed MiamiCentral Station. Courtesy of All Aboard Florida.

The AAF stations will have plenty to offer, too. MiamiCentral, AAF’s downtown Miami station will be the flagship for the passenger rail operation. With its tracks elevated 50 feet above ground level, MiamiCentral will encompass approximately 3 million square feet on seven downtown blocks that had previously been used as surface parking lots. It will include a food market, shops, restaurants, offices, two new residential towers, and 800 affordable rental apartments for people who work in the city’s core. Adjacent to Miami-Dade Transit’s (MDT) Government Center Station, MiamiCentral will connect with existing Metrorail and Metromover transit systems, tying the system in with other areas of Miami-Dade County. MiamiCentral will generate a total economic impact of $1.3 billion between 2014 and 2021 for Miami-Dade County.


Proposed Fort Lauderdale Station. Courtesy of All Aboard Florida.

The Fort Lauderdale station will connect riders to the Sun Trolley, Broward County Transit system, and future streetcar and commuter rail lines. The 60,000 square foot station will include an elevated passenger lounge and parking facilities, while also generating more than $333 million in economic impact for Broward County through 2021.


Proposed West Palm Beach Station. Courtesy of All Aboard Florida.

The West Palm Beach station will stand at the historic center of a project designed to enhance Henry Flagler’s vision for Florida. The station, which will also cover sixty thousand square feet, will become a gateway into Palm Beach County, linking riders to nearby Tri-Rail and Amtrak stations. It’s anticipated that this development will create more than 1,200 jobs and $164 million in economic impact for Palm Beach County through 2021.



AAF’s proposed Orlando station will be located 11 miles south of downtown at Orlando International Airport, taking advantage of a major gateway to the region’s 50 million annual visitors. However, plans are underway to like AAF to Orlando’s urban core through an extension of the SunRail commuter rail system to AAF’s airport hub. Orlando’s proposed station will be a large, two-story structure, with the first level being the main transportation platform, and the second level being a waiting room. The waiting area will have Wi-Fi, televisions, conference rooms, and small cafes.

In addition, an October 2013 deal between AAF and the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) includes an 80-acre vehicle maintenance rail maintenance facility. In total, AAF is expected to bring $400 million in construction work to Central Florida.

The ambitious passenger rail project, in a state known for having high pedestrian and bicycle death rates and abysmal transit options, also has an ambitious start date. Initially announced in March 2012, the Miami to West Palm Beach segment is anticipated to be open for business in 2016. The Orlando segment is expected to come online in 2017.