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Does anyone know when Amtrak will stop busing passengers from Ocala and Wildwood to Jacksonville? Need to book a trip to S.C. and really not anxious to ride a bus ANYWHERE.
notelvis Member # 3071
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quote:Originally posted by dixiebreeze: Does anyone know when Amtrak will stop busing passengers from Ocala and Wildwood to Jacksonville? Need to book a trip to S.C. and really not anxious to ride a bus ANYWHERE.
Probably not anytime soon. Amtrak discontinued the Palmetto south of Savannah several months ago and has no plans to restore rail service to Ocala.....perhaps you could go in and out of the Amtrak station in Winter Park.
David Pressley
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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Deland is the closest Amtrak RAIL station to Oclala, but Orlando could well be more convenient.
I think it is a "crime' not to offer service along the SAL Jax-Winter Haven. As I've noted "ad nauseam' around here, Gainesville is a college town and not every kid has yet "hit Dad up' for a Bimmer. Ocala is one of the fastest growing and most attractive areas of North Central Fla, and The Villages has a 100,000 and growing population of train riding age folks that "all came from somewhere".
I don't "get it".
Pojon Member # 3080
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Palatka is really the closest station to Ocala and all trains to Florida stop in Palatka as does the Sunset Limited. Palatka Amtrak station (owned by the City of Palatka) is now also the transportation center with two taxi companies, Ride Solution Bus Service and a Greyhound Station.
Pojon Member # 3080
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Amtrak tried connecting bus service to Gainesville from the Palatka Station for 2 years (ended it last year) which met both the Silver Meteor and the Silver Star. It also stopped in Interlachen and Hollister on the way to Gainesville.
Kairho Member # 1567
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Actually the Deland station is closer to Ocala and on faster roads. But it depends also on the direction of train travel. Deland is staffed and open for waiting during inclement weather (don't know about Palatka these days). Plus parking is available for a short trip (like for the weekend).
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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While it appears Ms.Breeze will be originating her trip in Florida, I noted Orlando as a possible Amtrak destination of choice simply for convenience.
Of possible importance is that Hertz maintains a rental facility at the station with autos on hand and staff at train times. Only downside, there is no computer terminal; you will have to wait for a closed contract to be mailed to you upon returning the auto.
Some people "just don't care' about that point, but somehow, I think more persons than not, who participate at this Forum, do.
Pojon Member # 3080
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Actually the Palatka station is NOT manned by an Amtrak employee but IS manned by a taxi company dispatcher or a Greyhound ticket clerk at all times of the day.
The station has been renovated, the waiting room enlarged with new bathrooms, etc. and the Railroad Museum is now on view to the waiting room. To get to Ocala is very easy--go west from the station on Hwy. 17 to Hwy 19, make a left turn and then straight all the way to Ocala---about 40 miles with little traffic over the old ex-barge canal and then through the scenic Ocala National Forest past the Rodman Dam.
SilverStar092 Member # 2652
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The last time I heard Hertz allowed ropoff (but not pickup at Jacksonville). Avis DOES pickup and dropoff in Jax at least for "Wizard" club members using their new downtown office. In Orlando the downtown Avis picks up and drops at Orlando station as does the Orlando Sheraton North near Maitland.
Pojon Member # 3080
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Greyhound just announced it's ending service to Ocala, Palatka, Waldo and places in Georgia on June 22nd. So goes pleasing the public in our USA--less and less service. And this just after the City of Palatka created the "transportation" center at the Palatka Station! When are we going to ever have some good news!!!???
Kairho Member # 1567
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Belay that, Pojon. According to the local media, Ocala is NOT losing their Greyhound service.
Florida localities slated to lose that service are Alachua, Arcadia, Bartow, Belle Glade, Belleview, Blountstown, Bonita Springs, Brandon, Chattahoochee, Chipley, Clewiston, Crestview, Cross City, Dade City, Fort Meade, Haines City, Immokalee, Indiantown, La Belle, Live Oak, Milton, Monticello, Navarre, Okeechobee, Palatka, Panama City Beach, Quincy, St. Cloud, Starke, Venice, Waldo, Wauchula and Youngstown.
Pojon Member # 3080
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The article in the Palatka News said Ocala and Gainesville.
Pojon Member # 3080
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Also proves that we have a "great" economy---lots of "service and convenience" to the public!I just "love" the Republican administration! Plenty of money for wars in Iraq and Afghanistan but NOT for transportation!
Pojon Member # 3080
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Now the Greyhound service to Palatka, FL is dead!
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