Promoting passenger trains as a transportation alternative in Florida since 1983.  We are citizens who advocate for Amtrak, commuter rail, intercity rail and transit for Florida's future.

Dade City service

  • 31 Jan 2018 1:27 AM
    Message # 5710365
    Anonymous

    I was at the Kumquat Festival in Dade City this weekend and noticed that Dade City no longer has its city hall in the depot. The building is completely empty and the furnishings on the porch for train watchers are gone. Only a small letter-size note in a window on the north side of the depot indicates that the facility has no information on train or bus service at the present location.


    So, my question is, has Amtrak abandoned service to Dade City? There are no signs posted anywhere in Dade City indicating directions to the Amtrak Thruway bus stop, if the service still exists. Has the bus route ceased operation?

    Last modified: 31 Jan 2018 1:30 AM | Anonymous
  • 11 Mar 2018 11:03 AM
    Reply # 5962420 on 5710365
    Jackson McQuigg (Administrator)

    Amtrak's website shows that the bus service to Dade City is still operating (station code is DDE) as a connection to the Silver Star.

    The stop remains curbside at the former train station--in fact, Amtrak's website reads exactly that--"former train station". That's a sad commentary in and of itself!

    It's a shame that direct train service to Dade City, Ocala and Waldo is no more. FCRP worked with Amtrak and local officials to get the Star to stop at Dade City back in the 1980s. Train service to those cities was a casualty of Amtrak's decision to reduce Florida service in the early 2000s, wherein the Star was no longer split into two sections at Jacksonville.

    Amtrak's bus service in this part of Florida is Amtrak's acknowledgement that there is indeed a market in these areas.   

    Last modified: 11 Mar 2018 11:05 AM | Jackson McQuigg (Administrator)
  • 14 Mar 2018 4:39 AM
    Reply # 5970871 on 5710365
    Anonymous

    If Amtrak is still having buses stop at the now "former" train station at Dade City, curbside, at the same location, why were the signs taken down? To me, it's an indication of intent for either Amtrak to abandon service there, or is it because of a political motive? Something just does not seem right. God forbid if there are plans to demolish the place if the city has something else in mind for the land it sits on.

    Last modified: 21 Mar 2018 4:05 AM | Anonymous
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