Orlando Airport (OIA) Connector: bus scores higher than light rail

[beautifulplanet]

This already came out a couple of months ago: A report about future possible public transportation to connect Orlando International Airport (OIA) with the Orlando Convention Center and other points in-between. The potential plans for light-rail already have been mentioned here on the forum in the "Free SunRail rides coming soon" thread, for example here and here.

While trying to find out if the final report already came in, the main page at http://www.oiaconnector.comalways remained the same and stated that the "Est. Completion date" would be "Spring 2014", even as spring was already over. Actually, the main page is still unchanged now and still claims the estimated completion date is spring 2014, and only clicking on the "Documents and Publications" link one can see that finally in July, the evaluation was completed and the documents posted.

The Alternative Analysis for this corridor examined bus and light rail options, and f.e. over in the other thread, Scott Orlando posted :

The 3 and 3a alternatives (If I had a vote it would be 3a), are by far the most productive routes. Nearly every area has huge ridership potential:

(1)- Airport hub. MCO will be the mother of all Orlando transport hubs.

(2)- North Airport. Becoming a small city of off airport hotels and restaurants

(3)-Sand Lake/Orange Ave. The much needed SunRail connection. This might change slightly with a direct SunRail connection from the south to the MCO South Terminal. Still a fairly busy stop even if SunRail passengers do not need to change trains to the airport. Even with direct SunRail to the airport, passengers from here would transfer to go west to I-Drive and convention area.

(4)- Florida Mall. The largest mall in Florida and growing

(5)- International Drive. Multiple high traffic stops. I would actually think a more northern route, perhaps going NW from the airport along the turnpike and joining I-Drive near Oak Ridge would produce considerably more riders. It gets closer to Universal that way and if we are going to do this lets do it right. The more western 3a route would be expensive but worth it.

(6) Convention Center. Huge complex finally gets its connection to the airport.

(7) expansion going south along I drive to SeaWorld many more hotels, shopping and getting closer to LBV area....and Disney

This potential route connects many of Orlando's tourist spots. With the introduction of SunRail, many have questioned how it will be effective without a connection to the "tourist areas". This is the answer.

So meanwhile the final report that came out in the summer gives a higher score to the bus "alternative 6", compared to light rail options including the "alternative 3" many might have thought has such a huge ridership potential.

On the last page (page 46) of the document called "Evaluation of Viable Alternatives", the "score summary" shows light-rail "alternative 3" with a score of 15, while "alternative 6" has a score of 18. Direct quote:

Based on the preceding ratings, Alternative 6 surfaced as the best at meeting the goals and objectives of
the corridor.

At least some people might be surprised.

Not only does alternative 6 offer a slower ride (nearly 43 minutes from OIA to OCCC) compared to light-rail's alternative 3 (about 31 minutes OIA to OCCC), the "guideway" of alternative 6 is described as "Semi-exclusive and shared traffic lanes", while light-rail would be in an "Exclusive at-grade and aerial guideway". So to put in simply, while light-rail would transport riders quickly and in a reliable way separated from traffic, "bus rapid transit" does not even have dedicated lanes and might offer very unreliable service with heavy delays, especially when one thinks about traffic lights, and the volume of cars being used around the airport, in the I-Drive area and in the areas in-between.

Some might think it is unfortunate, that while the Orlando maglev project made headlines again and again, many people might not be aware of the great chance for Central Florida which would be a quick, efficient light-rail line like the OIA Connector's Alternative 3a.