the journey is the destination
tommy permalink | categories: Florida, site info, tampa, tourism, transportation, visitorsby tommy @ 6:20 pm
If writing on Sticks of Fire is light this weekend, no need to worry.
We’re going on vacation! Wifey and I are taking the FirstGrader (theDriver had her own vacation with us last spring), to that great vacation destination where we’ll watch all manner of sea creatures perform humiliating acts. Oh, and I’ll finally ride that Kracken thingy. But, in order to mix it up a bit, we’ve decided to make use of Florida’s current high-speed rail solution – Amtrak.
A bit silly for sure, but the FirstGrader will think it’s a grand adventure. And it only costs $7 per person per trip ($45 round trip for the three of us).
We’ll zoom out of Union Station in downtown Tampa, and we even get our choice of ONE departure time. Only two hours later we’ll be in downtown Orlando. Looking at the Downtown Tampa Partnership’s maps, it looks like neither the streetcar nor either of the two “in-town trolleys” go anywhere near the train station. The closest stop via bus/trolley is about 8 blocks away. The closest streetcar stop is about 8 blocks away. The phone number for Union Station gives a recording of hours, address, and security concerns, but no instruction on parking or public transportation. I don’t even know if there is “long-term parking” available on-site.
Hmmm. It’s beginning to sound like a grand adventure to me, too.
A quick call to HARTline lets me know that bus numbers 1, 2, and 8 all go right past Union Station from/to the Marion Street Transit Center. There is a public parking garage about 2 blocks from the station – think my car will be alright there over the weekend? Bah… It’s only two bags, I think we’ll walk from the streetcar stop.
Once in Orlando, no I-drive hotel shuttle busses will pick up or drop off at the train station (in either Orlando or Kissimmee). The choices are a city bus (another grand adventure!) or call for a taxi – Tim will like that option! Of course, we have the same selection to get back to the train station, and its ONE departure time from O-town.
I wonder why more people don’t use the train.
Loading ...
July 20th, 2006 at 6:34 pm
Have a great time!
Your description of the problem is why the bullet train wouldn’t really work… but at least Orange County tried to build a transit system — but the voters rejected the tax increase.
Oh well…
July 20th, 2006 at 8:11 pm
Parked at the train station awhile back while going to Flight 19 that one time but it was at night. It did not seem that there was much parking but there isn’t much need. I didn’t see anything about paying to park. Your best bet would be to cab it both ways, or call a friend.
July 20th, 2006 at 11:01 pm
Whoop, this is it eh? Good luck, and - one the transportation is over - have fun! We’ll look forward to hearing how it all went when you get back.
Speaking as one who, on occassion, does leave his car parked over night at the garage down there, it should be fine for one night. In fact, the gate collectors aren’t usually hanging around Sunday and so the entire parking session can be free if you’re lucky. But that’s quite a hike.
Dave
July 21st, 2006 at 6:50 am
there is a city lot on twiggs that is two blocks away. that might be your best bet if you can’t park at the station.
July 21st, 2006 at 10:26 am
2 hours by train? No wonder being green is so difficult: it takes too long.
July 21st, 2006 at 10:43 am
Just remember Sandy, that 2 hours is a reflection of local political will. A rail system we are actually committed to wouldn’t take nearly as long. And there’d be some parking space to boot.
July 21st, 2006 at 1:32 pm
Jim, I’m trying to understand HOW this translates into an example of how the Bullet Trian wouldn’t have worked?
There is zero infrastructure around Union Station to support those riding the train - that’s true… You do not think that would have been amended to support a billion dollar project?
Also, the 2 hour train ride is hampered, in part, by the ROW being owned by CSX (freight rail). Amtrak plays second fiddle on this line to CSX. On a Bullet line, that wouldn’t be the case. Nor would there only be ONE departure time per day.
You can make the case the logistics need to be improved if the area / state are going to support mass transit at all, but it’s not an endorsement of why a high-speed service wouldn’t work (as so much a statement why it couldn’t get built).
July 23rd, 2006 at 9:02 pm
I’m back!
And it was quite the adventure… Details forthcoming…