Central Florida SunRail

[west point]

And a new platform and tracks to it need to be built and PTC installed in the upgraded track too. People seem to know all sorts of things and not know other important things

The problem that persons in the Orlando area recognize that no progress seems to be initiated to even start planning and engineering to get Sun Rail to MCO. All talk but no action. Of course, the defeated sales tax does not help.

 

[jis]

The problem that persons in the Orlando area recognize that no progress seems to be initiated to even start planning and engineering to get Sun Rail to MCO. All talk but no action. Of course, the defeated sales tax does not help.

Until either a Federal or State Grant materializes or a stream of funding from Sales Tax is in place where exactly is the funding for detailed planning going to come from? It is not like SunRail is overflowing with money. It is barely able to operate on weekdays for essentially limited hours.

 

[joelkfla]

The problem that persons in the Orlando area recognize that no progress seems to be initiated to even start planning and engineering to get Sun Rail to MCO. All talk but no action. Of course, the defeated sales tax does not help.

I would think they're waiting until the whole Sunshine Corridor mess gets straightened out.

 

[jis]

Here is an important Biszjournal article which might require a Subscription to read

SunRail Transition Vote sets stage for Sunshine Corridor Expansion talks

Here are three important paragraphs quoted from the article:

A vote by the governing board of SunRail has set the stage for discussions on a proposed shared corridor with Brightline.

The Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission — made up of Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia counties, as well as the city of Orlando — unanimously approved the phased transition of the commuter rail system to the local government partners from the Florida Department of Transportation during a March 28 meeting.

. . . . .

A presentation on next steps for the Sunshine Corridor will be held at the upcoming April CFCRC meeting, and FDOT is currently working on completing a Transit Concept and Alternatives Review (TCAR) study, which includes cost estimates and potential funding options

Needless to say this has significant impact on Brightline expansion to Tampa too.

 

[Palmland]

This is a first look at the cost for the Sunrail Sunshine Corridor

May be a paywall, here are some excerpts:

“Expanding SunRail to Orlando’s airport and the region’s tourism corridor would boost ridership at least sixfold in the first year of operation but come at an eye-popping cost of about $4 billion, state officials said Thursday”

“The study unveiled by the state transportation department Thursday depicts several scenarios. Connecting SunRail to just the airport, for example, would cost an estimated $400 million and boost annual ridership to a projected 3.7 million”

“Amy Lockhart took a lead in addressing money worries.“We are not a bottomless pit of money,” she said.
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said his county’s transportation needs — including roads, rail and pedestrian projects — add up to a staggering cost that cannot be afforded without a dedicated source of funding, such as an increase in sales tax”

 

[jis]

The full report can be found in the second half of the following PDF file. No pay walls

Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission April 2024 Meeting (PDF)

 

[west point]

The $ 400 M+ to establish basic service to MCO is a quick way to increase ridership greatly. What is not covered would be if incremental revenue increase more than off set additional operating costs.. The present schedules would allow for connections at Sand Lake station of 2 - 1 car DMU train sets with a spare one for total of 3 DMUs. If traffic becomes heavy enough then extend to LYNX central station coupling DMUs together and using a regular 2 car diesel loco train set.