The Florida Senate

341.823  Criteria for assessment and recommendations.--

(1)  The following criteria shall apply in developing the preliminary engineering, preliminary environmental assessment, and recommendations required by this act:

(a)  The system shall be capable of traveling speeds in excess of 120 miles per hour consisting of dedicated rails or guideways separated from motor vehicle traffic;

(b)  The initial segments of the system will be developed and operated between St. Petersburg, Tampa, and Orlando, with future service to Miami;

(c)  The authority is to develop a model that uses, to the maximum extent feasible, nongovernmental sources of funding for the design, construction, and operation of the system;

(2)  The authority shall make recommendations concerning:

(a)  The format and types of information that must be included in a financial or business plan for the high-speed rail system, and the authority may develop that financial or business plan;

(b)  The preferred routes between the cities designated in paragraph (1)(b);

(c)  The preferred locations for the stations in the cities designated in paragraph (1)(b);

(d)  The preferred locomotion technology to be employed from constitutional choices of monorail, fixed guideway, or magnetic levitation;

(e)  Any changes that may be needed in state statutes or federal laws which would make the proposed system eligible for available federal funding; and

(f)  Any other issues the authority deems relevant to the development of a high-speed rail system.

(3)  When preparing the operating plan, the authority shall include:

(a)  The frequency of service between the cities designated in paragraph (1)(b);

(b)  The proposed fare structure for passenger and freight service;

(c)  Proposed trip times, system capacity, passenger accommodations, and amenities;

(d)  Methods to ensure compliance with applicable environmental standards and regulations;

(e)  A marketing plan, including strategies that can be employed to enhance the utilization of the system;

(f)  A detailed planning-level ridership study;

(g)  Consideration of nonfare revenues that may be derived from:

1.  The sale of development rights at the stations;

2.  License, franchise, and lease fees;

3.  Sale of advertising space on the trains or in the stations; and

4.  Any other potential sources deemed appropriate.

(h)  An estimate of the total cost of the entire system, including, but not limited to, the costs to:

1.  Design and build the stations and monorail, fixed guideway, or magnetic levitation system;

2.  Acquire any necessary rights-of-way;

3.  Purchase or lease rolling stock and other equipment necessary to build, operate, and maintain the system.

(i)  An estimate of the annual operating and maintenance costs for the system and all other associated expenses.

(j)  An estimate of the value of assets the state or its political subdivisions may provide as in-kind contributions for the system, including rights-of-way, engineering studies performed for previous high-speed rail initiatives, land for rail stations and necessary maintenance facilities, and any expenses that may be incurred by the state or its political subdivisions to accommodate the installation of the system.

(k)  An estimate of the funding required per year from state funds for the next 30 years for operating the preferred routes between the cities designated in paragraph (1)(b).

Whenever applicable and appropriate, the authority will base estimates of projected costs, expenses, and revenues on documented expenditures or experience derived from similar projects.

History.--s. 3, ch. 2001-153.