SunRail, Central Florida’s new commuter rail system, hosted a grand opening celebration Wednesday, one day before the passenger service opens to the public.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, along with a host of state and local officials rode the train on a Whistle Stop Tour, alighting at the Sand Lake Station where they were greeted by hundreds of guests and potential riders.
Congresswoman Corrine Brown (D-FL) described today’s launch of SunRail as a win-win saying, “The commuter rail line system has already brought jobs to the area and it will get commuters off of a congested Interstate 4.” Â She said, SunRail would not have been possible without the partnerships that were forged between the federal, state and local governments, as well as, with the private sector and surrounding communities.
More than a decade in the making and with a price tag of $1.3 billion, SunRail (Phase 1) consists of 12 stations stops over a 31.5 mile route, starting in DeBary and ending at Sand Lake Road in Orlando. Construction of phase 2, expected to begin later in 2014 will see five new stations covering an additional 29-mile segment linking Sand Lake Road in Orange County to Poinciana in Osceola County, and DeBary to DeLand in Volusia County.
“SunRail is going to change the way we live, the way we get to work…. and it will give us more time for valuable pursuits…” said Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs who is also Chairman of the Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission. “SunRail gives you that freedom and is absolutely that life saver when it comes to the I-4 construction project.”
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said the kick off of SunRail was the culmination of a long trip that was worth the ride. Â “We now have a commuter rail line and it’s going to be a robust system,” he said. “Attention now turns to phase 2.”
Dyer described the train ride on the Whistle Stop Tour this way:Â “It was smooth and you could use all of your wireless devices and drink your coffee, rather than taking a white- knuckle ride on I-4.”
Of the many commuters who were stuck on I-4 last Monday for three hours, Dyer said, he would guess that a lot of people in Volusia County are thinking about riding SunRail now.
Initially, SunRail trains will run from Monday to Friday and arrive at each station every half-hour during peak service times. During non-peak periods, trains will operate every 2 hours.
SunRail will be free to ride for 12 days, May 1-2; May 5-9 and May 12-16 and revenue service will begin on May 19. The cost of a one-way ticket will be $2, with an additional $1 for each county.
Florida Department of Transportation, Public Information Officer, Steve Olson anticipates that, during the free service days, there will be a bump in passengers as people try and test the new rail system.
“I expect that there will be a lot of people trying and testing out SunRail,” he said. “They would also be looking at how the transfers to mass transit works and asking themselves the question whether it [SunRail] works for them.”
Asked what’s the single message he would wish to get out to the public, Olson said, “SunRail is here and we are up and running. Come try out the trains.”
Today’s opening ceremony concluded with the ceremonial ringing of station bells amidst confetti thrown into the air, to open SunRail service to Central Florida.
