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You’ve heard the expression, “there’s strength in numbers.” Well, that’s the approach I’m taking in trying to persuade state lawmakers to approve a dedicated funding source for our commuter rail system, Tri-Rail. Recently, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer paid us visit. He is chairman of the Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority, which is planning to launch its own 61-mile commuter rail system, SunRail, in 2011.

As chairman of the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority, I was more than happy to give Mayor Dyer a transit tour so he could see for himself what makes Tri-Rail so successful. This was my fourth tour in the past month with elected officials interested in expanding their transit services. We spent the day meeting with legislators and business leaders discussing everything from the need for a dedicated funding source, to coordinating support of the federal government, to receiving stimulus funds for Amtrak and high-speed rail throughout the Eastern Seaboard and Central Florida, as well as reviewing unresolved issues relating to last year’s filed state legislation.

A cohesive rail network is essential for future growth and development in Florida. Approving some type of dedicated funding source will result in the creation of hundreds of thousands of jobs in construction, transit operations and other ancillary businesses that will benefit from the growth of transit. Most importantly, linkage of rail systems will take more vehicles off our congested roads, making Florida a cleaner, greener place.

Palm Beach County continues to demonstrate its commitment to support public transportation.  Out of the $44 million in gas taxes we anticipate collecting in 2009, $30.5 million (69%) is going to mass transit, with $13.5 million going to the road program, which, in addition to road construction includes pathways, street lights, beautification and general road maintenance.

Like us, Orlando needs a dedicated funding source for rail, such as a $2 surcharge on rental vehicles, something our county lobbyists and I have been touting in Tallahassee for several years. Although Tri-Rail continues to set ridership records, it can’t function on fares alone. Palm Beach County is subsidizing Tri-Rail to the tune of $6.7 million this year and $4.3 million next year. Unfortunately, it’s easy for lawmakers to say no to providing state dollars for a “local” service far removed from the state capital. But suppose it becomes a regional request: South Florida plus metro Orlando, along with maybe Tampa and Jacksonville – four major metropolitan areas that represent more than half the state’s population. Those are the kinds of numbers that get lawmakers’ attention.

I firmly believe that regional transportation systems are the future of urban public transit. We can no longer do it on a city-by-city or county-by-county basis. SunRail officials were very impressed with how efficiently Tri-Rail moves commuters between Miami and Mangonia Park, approximately the same distance they are planning with SunRail. Several said they appreciated our sharing some of the pitfalls they should expect as they get up and running.

I am looking forward to a great working relationship with Mayor Dyer and the transportation officials of Orange County, as we help move Florida toward becoming a more transit-friendly state. We’ll be traveling together with similar messages, going through the same permitting process to receive federal dollars, maybe even buying insurance together at a cheaper rate.

The time is right for this type of partnership. We have an administration in Washington that recognizes the value of public transportation, and if we pool our lobbying resources effectively, there are unprecedented opportunities for expanded rail interconnectivity between South and Central Florida. Who knows, before long we may have a true statewide transit system getting you where you need to be in a fast, economical, and environmentally-friendly fashion.