Hyperloop One would get you from Miami to Orlando in 25 minutes

As the privately funded Brightline higher-speed train is still years away from connecting Orlando to Miami, there’s now another proposal to link our two metro areas.

Hyperloop One, a California-based company, is attempting to commercialize the reduced pressure tube-based train system that Elon Musk first proposed back in 2013. With projects in the early phases around the world, including in the Middle East, India, and Germany, Hyperloop One is now focusing on bringing the technology to the United States.

Narrowing down a list of over 2,600 submissions, the Miami-to-Orlando route is one of 11 finalists. The Florida Hyperloop tube would run along Highway 27 out of Miami, twisting around the western side of Lake Okeechobee, before heading north. It would then link up with I-4 near Davenport and head to Orlando.

The proposal is led by Miami-Dade’s Director of Transportation and Public Works, Alice Bravo. Few other specifics, such as the location of the stations or who else is behind the proposal, have been revealed.

Currently, it takes just over three hours to drive from Orlando to Miami. The Brightline train would cut 30 minutes or so off the driving commute, while flying clocks in at just over an hour, not counting all the TSA and airport hassles.

At just under 25 minutes, the Hyperloop route would be more than twice as fast as the current fastest option.

Hyperloop One plans to use the trains for both passengers and freight. The trains are designed to easily shift out various “pods” based on demand. During less busy times, the trains could run more freight while daytime trains would house more business and lounge pods.

Hyperloop One will narrow the list of 11 proposals down to two or three proposals that it plans to move forward with. There’s currently no timeline on when the final proposal selections will take place, or when construction may begin on America’s first Hyperloop trains.

This article appears in Apr 5-11, 2017.