[IAm_FloridaBorn]

Originally Posted by ferret111

I don't know, maybe walk down and catch a Lightning game, take in a show at the Performing Arts Center, take the streetcar to Channelside or Ybor City, or watch a movie at the palatial Tampa Theatre. All of these things are in close proximity to the proposed SunRail station in Downtown Tampa.

I love Tampa, but I'd much rather drive and do those things, as I do now. and I would not take HSR to then take an express bus to st. pete to catch A Rays game!

Lightning or Bucs? I'm In. But again for anything else outside of a decent bus ride in Tampa, no. not me

Originally Posted by EndersDrift

Oh oh raises hand - background in Urban Policy.

Kevin -
You're not looking at the entire costs associated with the high speed rail vs driving. How much is your monthly car bill? Insurance? Mileage added? Wear and tear on tires and brakes from the drive? Risk of a break down or worse an accident? How about if someone else is in an accident which causes a huge backup on I-4?

Blacksmith -
You don't seem to be looking at it from the whole picture. There's not enough build-up and density yet in between Orlando and Tampa to warrant it at this point in time. There also isn't enough regular commuters between the two. Tampa stay in Tampa and Orlando stay in Orlando predominately. So you'd have large stretches and numerous stops that would have minimal business for a foreseeable amount of time. Likewise the majority of traffic is in Downtown Tampa and Downtown Orlando so it wouldn't be relieving traffic significantly in that entire space between.

The reality is I wish Rick Scott would've approved it anyways because who knows when we might get those funds again. But financially he did make the right decision. You have to start local and build out, not the other way. SunRail ridership is only one economic view on it. It's also going to greatly relieve congestion on I-4 which is the primary lifeline for Central Florida. Then there's economic development around the stations which will occur much quicker for SunRail than it would have for HSR because of the existing density.

HSR is relying on tourism. Even on this thread what are people saying they would use it for? As an alternative to driving if they want to go catch an event of some kind. What would people use the SunRail for? Getting to work. With HSR you still have to own a car, with SunRail you don't.

Great point.

Im all for HSR and gosh I wish it was coming but again I just ask people what they would have taken the rail for outside of downtown Tampa. In Orange County alone the rail was making three stops connecting with other transportation. Taxis/Charters/Lynx/Sun Rail/Airport/OIA Connector/Rental Car

As in Tampa it was just HART/Taxi/Streetcar/and Water Transit