Universal has published documents outlining the bidding process for a potential transportation network linking its new Epic Universe park to the broader Universal Orlando Resort, according to the Orlando Business Journal.
This follows rumours of a collaboration with Elon Musk’s tunnel construction firm, The Boring Company, to develop an underground transit system.
On 18 August, Universal’s Shingle Creek Transit & Utility Community Development District opened bids from companies “to provide, design, build, operation and maintenance services" for a new transportation project. This project is a “point-to-point innovative transportation" initiative with a 25-year agreement.
Bidders must demonstrate a minimum bonding capacity of $75 million, have at least 7 years of operational experience, and have completed a similar-sized project within the past 15 years costing at least $25 million.
Universal requested “an aggressive but realistic time frame” for the “future-ready” system.
Plans to connect Epic Universe with the rest of the resort
The bidding closed on 1 October, but Universal has not yet chosen a firm. The district’s upcoming meeting is scheduled for 14 January, and the project may be discussed then.
Musk’s company was not explicitly mentioned in the documents, but they may have submitted a proposal.
Earlier this year, The Boring Company announced plans for a 17km transportation system beneath Dubai. In partnership with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai, the Boring Company has signed a memorandum of understanding to establish the Loop underground tunnel network in the emirate.
Epic Universe, the new $7 billion destination at Universal Orlando in Florida, opened in May 2025. It is approximately three miles from the main Universal Orlando Resort, and currently, only buses provide direct transport between them.
Since it opened, the park has driven growth for Universal's parent company, Comcast, and plans to expand the theme park have already been submitted.
Charlotte Coates is blooloop's editor. She is from Brighton, UK and previously worked as a librarian. She has a strong interest in arts, culture and information and graduated from the University of Sussex with a degree in English Literature. Charlotte can usually be found either with her head in a book or planning her next travel adventure.
