So let's say that we ditch the light rail/mag-lev plan and do as you say, add a station connecting SunRail and HSR. At 16 daily roundtrips, HSR will run at a frequency of about 1 train per hour, or maybe every 30 minutes during rush hour and every hour and a half between. Then you'll have people complaining that when they land at the airport, they may have to wait an hour for a HSR train to take them on a 5 minute ride to the commuter rail transfer station. Light rail affords higher frequencies, which allows for greater frequencies and doesn't force the different rail agencies to coordinate their timetables.

I think the Florida Mall stands to get a lot from this new rail proposal. I'm sure business has been hurting a bit since the Millenia area started booming. Now, tourists and conventioneers staying on I-Drive will be able to hop on a short train ride to go to a mall and kill some time, rather than have to navigate the unfamiliar streets of local Orlando.

Furthermore, I'm sure the mag-lev system can be expanded if it proves to be successful. It could easily turn into the I-Drive circulator we've been waiting for...and possibly even extended out to Port Canaveral.

If I'm being thick-skulled, forgive me, but this doesn't really make sense to me. Why does it make more sense to spend 200+ million bucks (albeit supposedly privately funded) to connect HSR and SunRail (and add an extra necessary transfer) instead of just building a connection hub between the two? And if HSR is connecting the airport and the convention center to begin with, doesn't that cut into the ridership of this parallel line? I don't know, this sounds pie in the sky to me. Anyone care to convince me why this is an efficient/viable idea?

New proposal to Orange County to build a Mag-Lev from OIA to the Convention Center with stops at the SunRail station on Sand Lake Road and FL Mall. Would provide HSR-SunRail and SunRail-OIA linkage to replace a bus connector. Project would be privately funded, but they request Beachline right-of-way. Needs governmental approval from FDOT, Belle Isle, Orange Co. etc. etc..

Personally would like to see a single "Rail Pass" that you swipe when you get on and when you get off regardless of intermodals for a single charge.

The owner of the Orlando Titans is bringing a professional Div 1 USL team, this will allow Orlando to position itself to be a future MSL team.

Alright, I continue to hear people say "I will not do this, will not do that" regarding station changes and accessibility. Truth is, it's easier to get around NYC, Boston, and Chicago by car or cab. That said, this is about lifestyle changes. I live in Boston, and have a car, but, I walk to work and use the T whenever I can. It is not the most convenient option, but it is an option, and having alternative modes of mass transit promotes pedestrianized, urban spaces. At the end of the day, my lifestyle is vastly improved by having the option to walk to work, to take a train, being able to get out and do things that don't require me to sit in traffic. For me to get from where I live to the high speed train (Acela at South Station in Boston) I have to hop on the Green Line and then make a second connection to the Red Line at Park Street in order to get to South Station. It's really not that big a deal.

My guess is that those who say they will not make 2 station changes to get from point A to point B, probably will not use a train regardless of it's accessibility.

I guess it's OK but I don't completely understand how this could happen. "Privately funded" to me sounds like I-Drive money. However, they will already have an airport-convention center connection with HSR and this thing will just be a complete duplicate, except for a stops at the mall and Sun Rail. Seems like an extremely expensive option compared to just connecting HSR and Sun Rail and I can't understand whether the cash would come from. Downtown Orlando to downtown Tampa using three trains is just nuts and not at all realistic.

Holy crap...that sounds ideal! What could stand in the way of this getting done?

From a private company perspective this is a great way to get a foot in the door for an OIA to Port Canaveral segment. Additionally, if it pans out ... it could set it self up as an experienced operator of of HSR feeder lines elsewhere in the state.

I thought maglev was a type of train, is it related specifically to speed?

BTW, even though the word mag-lev keeps being used, this article states that the trains would have a top speed of 45mph (and would cost $12 to ride).

^I agree -- that said, if this is how the missing link can be created, I think it's a good start.

The "one pass" for all is just logistical and can be worked out by the City and others.

Holy crap...that sounds ideal! What could stand in the way of this getting done?

New proposal to Orange County to build a Mag-Lev from OIA to the Convention Center with stops at the SunRail station on Sand Lake Road and FL Mall. Would provide HSR-SunRail and SunRail-OIA linkage to replace a bus connector. Project would be privately funded, but they request Beachline right-of-way. Needs governmental approval from FDOT, Belle Isle, Orange Co. etc. etc..

Personally would like to see a single "Rail Pass" that you swipe when you get on and when you get off regardless of intermodals for a single charge.