By Kimberly Miller
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
A group opposed to All Aboard Florida released an advertisement Monday that calls on viewers to sign a petition against the passenger rail project.
The 30 second commercial is called “Quiet Dinner.” The ad depicts the group’s fears of how life may be disrupted if the plan to send 32 high-speed passenger trains a day from Miami to Orlando is approved.
All Aboard Florida says that its trains will take less than 50 seconds to clear the crossings.
Merrill Snyder, a board member for the Guardians of Martin County, said the advertising and social media campaign hopes to reach 1 million people.
“We wanted to get our message out there ahead of the Environmental Impact Statement,” Snyder said, referring to a report expected in the next several weeks that will assess the impact of the added passenger rail project on areas north of West Palm Beach. “I don’t think people are paying enough attention. They see something about a railroad and don’t read the whole story and don’t know what’s happening.”
Last month, All Aboard Florida president Mike Reininger said the passenger trains will be quieter than other trains now in operation.