For Immediate Release:
July 14, 2014
CITIZENS AGAINST THE TRAIN FUND KICKS OFF NEW MEDIA CAMPAIGN
Dinner Isn’t So Quiet with Big Choo Choo Speeding Down The Tracks
SOUTH FLORIDA — “Citizens AgainstTheTrainFund”(CATT) announces the launch of a TV& SocialMedia campaignto convince Floridians to sign a petition against All Aboard Florida (AAF).The campaign is designed to raise awareness about the damaging effects AAF poses to the community. 20,000 people have signed the petition in just four months. It will be sent to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Florida Governor Rick Scott.
At the center of the campaign is a thirty second commercial called,“QuietDinner”.The ad depicts how life may be disrupted if the planto send 32 high-speed passenger trains a day from Miami to Orlando is approved. Big Choo Choo is the menacing caricature used to portray the AAF Train.
Residents are concerned about safety, traffic congestion and a decline in property values. Boaters are concerned about limited access to the waterways when bridges are down to allow the trains to pass. AAF is asking the FRA for $1.5 billion in federal financing. CATT Fund organizers do not believe taxpayers should foot the bill for a private passenger rail service.
AAF says the trains will begin running between Miami,Ft. Lauderdale and West Palm Beach in 2016. The West Palm to Orlando leg start date has not been announced. It is dependent on the completion of an Environmental Impact Study (EIS), expected in the fall. Once the study is released, a 75-day public comment period opens. CATT Fund organizers believe the window is a critical time for residents and business owners to share their concerns about AAF with the FRA.
Help stop Big Choo Choo in his tracks by signing the petition online at floridanotallaboard.com. A printed version can be downloaded from the website or requested by email:floridanotallaboard@gmail.com.
Download the release here:
Quiet Dinner Ad Press Release