Weekend Operating Cost for SunRail Florida Train Service
Expanding SunRail Service to Weekends: Costs, Funding, and Potential Benefits
SunRail, Central Florida's commuter rail service, currently operates along a 61-mile route from Monday through Friday. However, the question of extending service to weekends has been a topic of discussion among the Commission board members.
The cost of expanding SunRail to weekends would involve a one-time capital investment of approximately $61.8 million for the purchase of three additional locomotives and cab cars needed to run the service. Alternatively, leasing these trains could reduce upfront capital costs. Each locomotive is estimated to cost around $15 million, while cab cars cost approximately $5.6 million each.
If the decision is made to purchase, the operational costs for full Saturday and Sunday service would amount to an additional $26.2 million annually. This cost would be largely borne by the local communities, with some additional federal support.
The Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission (CFCRC) and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) oversee SunRail operations and expansions. They might pursue federal transit grants or state transportation budgets to help cover these costs. The expansion aligns with the broader Sunshine Corridor project, which aims to extend SunRail and Brightline service and is undergoing federal Project Development and Environment (PD&E) studies. This suggests possible integration with larger multimodal funding efforts targeting congestion reduction and sustainable development.
The potential revenue from ticket sales on SunRail would not meet the costs of selling the fares. Ticket prices range from $2 to $5 depending on the distance traveled. SunRail service could generate between 4,600 and 9,500 trips on weekends, given the fewer events compared to Saturdays.
Board members and staff have agreed to delve into more details of weekend service at a workshop in the coming weeks. They are keen to understand the cost-to-benefit relationship of expanding to weekends and where the money would come from.
In summary, full weekend SunRail service would need about $26 million annually for operations plus $61.8 million capital investment for additional trains, with potential funding sources likely involving a mix of federal and state transportation grants and local contributions, although specific funding plans have not yet been detailed.
[1] Orlando Sentinel [2] Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission [3] Florida Department of Transportation [4] Central Florida Expressway Authority
- The potential funding sources for the purchase of three additional locomotives and cab cars for SunRail's weekend service might be derived from federal transit grants, state transportation budgets, or contributions from local communities, as overseen by the Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission (CFCRC) and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).
- The expansion of SunRail service to weekends would not only provide improved public-transit options, but it could also stimulate economic growth in the Central Florida region by promoting finance and transportation-related industries, thereby boosting the local economy.
