Sunrail Commuter Rail System

[KLStorey]

Originally Posted by jzquince69

the AGT track/bridge is already built to connect the north terminal complex to the proposed south.

What's built is a grassed over bridge, it would be quite simple to add Personal Rapid Transit tracks over this bridge and connect the two airport terminals. The weight is less than a AGT train and they require a more narrow pathway that AGT systems. I would like to see a PRT instead of a AGT, just seems more practical for a place with so many people going to so many different places (unlike WDW where one has been rumored, this is the exact opposite of where one would be successful, large amounts of people all going to the same place at around the same time).

A decent PRT could even connect to some of the offsite hotels and the new shopping area just across 528. It would also be wise to connect it to Lake Nona, just a station or two though.

[jzquince69]

I'm not too familiar with PRT other than clicking on your link. But GOAA has already built the AGT station as well adjacent to the Airside 4 AGT station as well. Based on that article, they've already invested in the infrastructure towards connecting bother terminals. IMO, if a PRT system caters to individuals or small groups of riders, they won't do it.

As for FECI, if they make arrangements to have it terminal on site, they'll move forward with the intermodal center sooner than later and move forward with connecting Sunrail directly to it sooner than later as well, which is what was alluded to in the article- which is what we all hope happens.

[ThatFloridaDude]

Mag-Lev goes before the OCBC today! So With all FEC is doing, I'll be bold and say we see something positive.

[jzquince69]

here is the link from the maglev meeting:

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/...in-tony-morris

[ThatFloridaDude]

Interesting but , ehhhh. oh well. Count me out.

[jzquince69]

I want the Amsterdam LRT streetcar here in Orlando. We aren't getting it any time soon if ever.

Instead, we're getting CRT, intercity rail (FECI hopefully), and maybe this Maglev line connecting OIA to the OCCC. To me, this is a very important development for the OCCC's future- and OIA's future... and Orlando's future.

This connectivity aspect is huge. strike while the iron is hot. Sunrail is U/C; HSR got shot down, but FECI got proposed and this Maglev line got proposed. The Maglev picks up part of the route that HSR would've had-- the most important part. And FECI will force GOAA to seriously consider speeding up the timetable for the intermodal center... so will Maglev. They're all pieces of the overall puzzle.

If OBX comes online as well, then holy sh*t... when in the recent history of mass transit has so much been developed so soon in one metro? (other than LA in 1990's, and ATL in the '80's)

[jzquince69]

http://www.news-journalonline.com/ne...ic-growth.html

they talk about Charlotte's LRT and Tri-Rail.

Personally, I think Sunrail will be more successful than Tri-Rail because of a few reasons: Florida Hospital, ORHS, Church Street Sta., LYNX Central, Winter Park, OIA, DeBary, and Poinciana. Yes, commuting centers will drive demand for it, but it also cuts through downtown and some other desirable locations/centers.

Also, there are already five active Amtrak stations along that line in: DeLand, Sanford, Winter Park, Orlando, and Kissimmee. I don't think a lot of people know that. Curious how much cross-over ridership can be expected from Sunrail to Amtrak and vice versa.

[tampasteve]

I really hope you are right....if this project does not go at least reasonably well it basically kills any chance of rail transit in Tampa for at least another 15 years. The cities and potential routes really are different so it should not matter...but the cities are too close and the arguments for transit are the same, so if it does not go at least close to the estimates then we are all up a creek transit wise.

I am really rooting for the project though. With a decent system in Orlando and then a connection by regional rail to Tampa it actually could be possible to live in Orlando and work in down town Tampa. If only there were a high speed rail connection for the cities...

Steve

[jzquince69]

I wonder if one of the reasons that the governor killed HSR was bc FEC was planning their current project and didn't want the other system servicing their future routes.

That being said, I think a line to Tampa will happen if the line to ORL happens. I also think riders from FEC and Amtrak will use Sunrail as well as commuters. But, many of these communities along the CSX track have projects planned around those stations. I think its gonna work out.

[Bobdreamz]

Originally Posted by jzquince69

I wonder if one of the reasons that the governor killed HSR was bc FEC was planning their current project and didn't want the other system servicing their future routes.

That being said, I think a line to Tampa will happen if the line to ORL happens. I also think riders from FEC and Amtrak will use Sunrail as well as commuters. But, many of these communities along the CSX track have projects planned around those stations. I think its gonna work out.

Uh no, the tea Party governor killed HSR because it was a political slap in the face to the Obama administration.

[jzquince69]

Originally Posted by Bobdreamz

Uh no, the tea Party governor killed HSR because it was a political slap in the face to the Obama administration.

I know that, first and foremost. It's just the coincidence of it all had me wondering whether there were two forces at play with this, and not just the one.

[skyscraperhighrise]

Originally Posted by Bobdreamz

Uh no, the tea Party governor killed HSR because it was a political slap in the face to the Obama administration.

and for good reason, as corrupt as scott is, florida is not california and never will be.

[HARTride 2012]

Scott's reasons for killing HSR were purely for his own political gain to appease the Tea Party. Nothing else...

Despite what everyone saw on the surface, Scott wasn't listening to HSR supporters, etc. He only listened to the Tea Party.

[ftlauddude]

Originally Posted by jzquince69

Also, there are already five active Amtrak stations along that line in: DeLand, Sanford, Winter Park, Orlando, and Kissimmee. I don't think a lot of people know that. Curious how much cross-over ridership can be expected from Sunrail to Amtrak and vice versa.

You think Tri-Rail doesnt have those stations? Amtrak has stations in Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale, Deerfield Beach, Delray Beach, and West Palm Beach--next year Miami will be added to the list when the MIC is finished. So far, those passenger have not added much ridership to the system; however, MIA, FLL, and PBI are a different story. Those 3 airports generate a lot of ridership--MIA more than the other two. The only difference I see is that Sunrail is more centrical (closer to downtown) in comparison with Tri-Rail. If the FEC Tri-Rail gets built, I'm more than positive ridership will increase tremendously.

[jzquince69]

interesting.

With regards to connecting it to the airports, there was talk about either building a spur or maybe just the bus system to connect Sunrail to OSI in Sanford from their local station where the Amtrak Auto Train goes. If they pull that off successfully, then OSI plus OIA ala riders could have a large impact on ridership.

[SkyDiveJunkee]

The most obvious differences from Tri-Rail will be:

1) SunRail connects through Orlando's historic North/South axis, stopping along several towns with pre-existing infrastructure in place, which include: Kissimmee Station, Orlando Amtrak, Church Street, Lynx Central, Uptown / Florida Hospital, Winter Park, and Maitland.

2) TOD is being promoted for a majority of the other stations that are otherwise traditional park n' ride.

3) The Orlando core stations will in a sense act as a commuter / light rail hybrid due to their proximity.

[jzquince69]

Originally Posted by SkyDiveJunkee

The most obvious differences from Tri-Rail will be:

1) SunRail connects through Orlando's historic North/South axis, stopping along several towns with pre-existing infrastructure in place, which include: Kissimmee Station, Orlando Amtrak, Church Street, Lynx Central, Uptown / Florida Hospital, Winter Park, and Maitland.

2) TOD is being promoted for a majority of the other stations that are otherwise traditional park n' ride.

3) The Orlando core stations will in a sense act as a commuter / light rail hybrid due to their proximity.

And that's the point I was thinking as well when they originally proposed the station placement; some of them are so close to one another the system is going to act as a hybrid system.

Aside from the Volusia stops, the biggest gaps between stations I think start south of ORHS station; I think there should've been a stop in Fern Creek/ Belle Isle where Orange Ave splits prior to going to SLR. They could really build up that community between Orange & Hansel with high density development and make it a pretty desirable location. It's unique.

[SkyDiveJunkee]

Good point - that is a unique and underdeveloped stretch of land. There is always room to expand once the system is in place.

[ThatFloridaDude]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nof4tV9Q4Jw

[jzquince69]

SLR station is u/c;
downtown CSX rail line at CSS is u/c;