Two more SunRail Station – Lake Mary and Sanford – opened over the week-end with much fanfare and lots of family fun.
Residents of the surrounding communities got an exclusive sneak peek inside the SunRail trains and were awed by the comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, double-decker views and more.
SunRail, Central Florida’s commuter rail system, which will connect DeBary in Volusia County to downtown Orlando and south Orange County, will debut on May 1st, with paying passengers scheduled to begin on May 19.
Passengers will be able to ride SunRail free for two weeks beginning May 1st. The free service is designed to allow passengers to experience the comfort and ease of commuting on SunRail and become familiar with train schedules and cost-savings, before activating ticket purchases. During the free trial period, SunRail ambassadors will be available at each station and on board trains to answer questions that riders might have.
The $1.3 billion rail system, expected to create over 10,000 new jobs through the construction, operation and maintenance phases, is also projected to spur Transit Oriented Development associated with the rail line. More than two dozen residential and commercial projects are planned along SunRail’s route, officials say.
At the Lake Mary Station, there are plans to construct a 4-story building with about 200 luxury apartments, called Station House. And in Orlando, a mix-use six-story development is planned on Orange Avenue across from the Orange County Courthouse, next to the SunRail stop downtown.
SunRail’s grand opening will take place on April 30, at Orange County-Sand Lake Road Station stop. Other SunRail community tours and events are planned for the remaining stations, prior to the end of the month.
For more information on SunRail, visit: sunrail.com.
