The case for why Florida should opt for an Orlando-Tampa Hyperloop instead of a train.
Since the 1960s Florida has been flirting with the idea connecting Orlando and Tampa with a high-speed train. Florida has had the foresight to keep the land available along the I-4 corridor for all these years, just waiting for the right money and time to get lined up.
But roadblocks kept occurring and the project never came to fruition.
Another proposal for another Orlando-Tampa train line is on the table…and on the surface it sounds kinda of cool if it actually delivers. I would love to be able to take a train between Orlando and Tampa if it was quick and affordable (affordable, for me, being that a train tickets costs roughly the same as it would be for me to drive my car).
But since the 1960s technology has changed and putting a new train line in seems kind of, well, dated. It’s old, inferior technology. Also, there is the question of “will people actually take the train?”
As far as transportation goes, Florida is a state ruled by cars and roads.
I’m not against cars. I love them…or at least the practical use of cars. I’m a fan of fuel-efficient compact logical cars. Or at least the right vehicle for the right function (work truck for construction, semi-truck for hauling, compact car for commute, etc…). And I can’t wait for the day when we all drive affordable electric cars.
And I would certainly love to see practical bike lanes all over Florida as opposed to the suicide lanes that we currently have for bikers. But, hey, that’s a rant for another time…
So, the Hyperloop…
For those who don’t know, the Hyperloop is essentially a tube that can whisk travelers away at a brisk 700mph. That would make travel time between Tampa and Orlando about 8 minutes. Give or take a minute.
This is not technology 100 years away. This is technology available now.
Not only that, the Hyperloop won’t be super expensive. Unfortunately, I don’t know exactly how much it will cost, but it is likely it will be cheaper than putting in an old fashioned train. And tickets may come in between $20 – $30.
So, given the options between putting in a train that will be slow and expensive or putting in the Hyperloop which will be ridiculously fast and not as expensive, I vote for the Hyperloop.
I believe the Hyperloop will attract more tourists to our awesome state and it will spread their money around even more. All good things for Florida. Also, it will evaluate Florida’s status as a forward-thinking, technology embracing state. Also, I think having a Hyperloop will be really cool.
On top of being the theme park capital of the world, we will be the Hyperloop capital of the world. (And if I have my way we will also be the solar energy capital of the world).
Also, there’s currently planning for a Orlando – Miami Hyperloop via Sir Richard Branson’s Hyperloop One company. It would follow Highway 27 down the center of the state, which seems smart to me as it would be well protected against our massive hurricanes that pop-up from time to time.
So, absolutely, Florida wants a Hyperloop. We can make it happen. Mostly we don’t even have to do much. There are private companies that want to build these things. So they will be sure to build it efficiently to make sure it is cost-effective.
So, basically, what us every day Floridians need to do is make it known we want a Hyperloop. Public opinion will go a long way to making this thing happen.
To the naysayers that say it can’t be done. Florida is the place where people come to successfully do the impossible. This is where we launched the moon mission from. The most cutting edge theme parks are built here. And people are moving here in droves because they want to be a part of the Florida future.
WE CAN MAKE THIS HAPPEN!!!
