The $2.3 billion All Aboard Florida intercity passenger rail isn’t set to start rolling into Orlando until 2017 — but the company planning the project has some pretty cool ideas about what you’ll be able to get while on the train.
Mike Reininger and Don Robinson, executives with the Coral Gables-based firm, visited Orlando Business Journal on Aug. 8 to talk about the latest on the 240-mile route that will carry passengers to and from downtown Miami through Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach into Orlando International Airport. During the interview, they shared their thoughts about how this three-hour train ride isn’t just going to be focused on getting from point A to point B, but rather, the overall experience.
“Think European trains, not U.S. trains,” said Robinson, president and chief operating officer. “When people start riding it, we want them to get used to the convenience of it.”
The project’s second phase involves building a 40-mile track from All Aboard sister company Florida East Coast Industries Inc.’s existing freight rail line in Cocoa along State Road 528 to the airport. Construction is slated to start on that phase early next year, pending completion of an environmental study by the Federal Railroad Administration.
Meanwhile, All Aboard Florida has started work on its first phase, converting the existing freight rail line to passenger rail and three stations in South Florida, as reported by Emon Reiser from sister paper South Florida Business Journal.
And as we wait for those locations to shape up, here’s a look at some of the things Reininger and Robinson shared with OBJ set to make that three-hour ride more comfortable for travelers:
Dynamic WiFi: All Aboard Florida has invested into a beefed-up, high-bandwidth signal that it owns along the route, so passengers will have no problems doing work, playing games or listening to music during their ride.
Cafe car/bar car: During the three-hour ride, of course you might get hungry or thirsty, so you’ll have the option of visiting the dining car for a snack or the bar car for a drink with friends. All Aboard Florida also is looking into apps that would allow you to order your beverage or snack to be delivered to your seat on the train.
Seating configuration: Whether traveling with family, friends or alone on a business trip, riders can choose the type of seating configuration best suited for their party when booking tickets online. Each train will fit up to 400 passengers, and seats will be the same or larger than first-class airline seats. And you can check your luggage on the train, too.
Fully ADA-compliant: Along with wide aisles, the trains also will have level boarding with no steps, which will allow for wheelchairs, scooters and bikes to be able to wheel directly onto the train.
Pets: Though it hasn’t been finalized yet, All Aboard Florida is exploring the option of being able to bring pets on your trip. After all, no one likes leaving their furry family member behind.
http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/b....html?page=all
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