Florida Rail Enterprise

For assistance, call 850-414-4500 or visit https://www.fdot.gov/rail/

What is the purpose of the program?

The Legislature created the Florida Rail Enterprise within the Department of Transportation to coordinate the development and operation of publicly funded passenger rail systems in the state. The law that created the enterprise addresses liability risks associated with state-owned passenger rail corridors and requires the department to work with communities affected by increased freight rail traffic resulting from routing modifications.

What does the program do?

The Florida Rail Enterprise has the authority to plan, construct, maintain, repair, and operate a high-speed rail system, to acquire rail corridors, and to coordinate development and operation of publicly funded passenger rail systems in the state.

The Florida Department of Transportation owns two rail corridors, the 61-mile Central Florida Rail Corridor (CFRC) and 71-mile South Florida Rail Corridor. These corridors support commuter rail, intercity rail (Amtrak) and freight rail (CSX and FEC) service.

The CFRC supports SunRail commuter rail service that currently operates over 49 miles with 16 stations through Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and Volusia counties. Phase II North connecting to Deland is expected to be operational in 2024. FDOT provides project development, design, construction, operations (including dispatch) and maintenance and is currently working to transition operations and maintenance to local partners following completion of Phase II North.
The South Florida Rail Corridor runs 71 miles through Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties. The corridor supports Tri-Rail Commuter Rail Service which is managed by the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority.

Is there dedicated funding or spending restrictions?

By law, the Florida Rail Enterprise is to receive $60 million annually from the state's excise tax on documents. These funds can be spent on

up to 50% of the nonfederal share of the costs from eligible passenger rail capital improvements;
up to 100% of the planning and development costs related to the creation of a passenger rail system;
the high-speed rail system; and
projects necessary to identify or address anticipated impacts of increased freight rail traffic resulting from the implementation of passenger rail systems.

How is the program funded?

Fiscal Year: 2023-24

	Fund	Salary Rate/ Position	General Revenue	Trust Funds
SALARY RATE		233,531
POSITIONS		1.00
SALARIES AND BENEFITS
	FROM STATE TRANSPORTATION (PRIMARY) TRUST FUND			304,699
OTHER PERSONAL SERVICES
	FROM STATE TRANSPORTATION (PRIMARY) TRUST FUND			1,350
EXPENSES
	FROM STATE TRANSPORTATION (PRIMARY) TRUST FUND			25,200
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
CONSULTANT FEES
	FROM STATE TRANSPORTATION (PRIMARY) TRUST FUND			4,089
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
CONTRACTED SERVICES
	FROM STATE TRANSPORTATION (PRIMARY) TRUST FUND			5,714
CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION CARRYFORWARD FUNDS
	FROM STATE TRANSPORTATION (PRIMARY) TRUST FUND			167,983
FIXED CAPITAL OUTLAY
PUBLIC TRANSIT DEVELOPMENT/GRANTS
	FROM STATE TRANSPORTATION (PRIMARY) TRUST FUND			136,650,067
FIXED CAPITAL OUTLAY
RAIL DEVELOPMENT/GRANTS
	FROM STATE TRANSPORTATION (PRIMARY) TRUST FUND			125,654,661
FIXED CAPITAL OUTLAY
INTERMODAL DEVELOPMENT/GRANTS
	FROM STATE TRANSPORTATION (PRIMARY) TRUST FUND			68,282
TOTAL			0	262,882,045

Source: www.transparencyflorida.gov

Where can I get more information?

Other Reports
The Department of Transportation's Office of the Inspector General reports are available on its website

Websites of Interest
Florida Transportation Commission
U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration

Performance Information

Performance measures and standards for the department may be found in its Long Range Program Plan.

What are the applicable statutes?

Chapters 311, 320, 330, 331, 332, 333, 334, 341, 343, 351, and 427, Florida Statutes

Whom do I contact for help?

Modal Development Office, 850-414-4500
Website