After providing free service to 135,000 riders for two weeks, SunRail, the commuter rail line in Central Florida, on Monday began paid service between DeBary and Sand Lake Road in Orlando.
Although more than 13,000 SunCard tickets have been pre-sold, SunRail officials were cautioning that there could be lines at ticket vending machines on each platform, as passengers are reminded that tickets are required to board. SunRail riders should add a few extra minutes to their commute this week if they have not already purchased a SunCard.
Ambassadors dressed in black pants and shirts with the brightly colored SunRail logo are available on each SunRail platform to assist passengers with SunCard purchases, or one-way or round-trip tickets, and to answer any questions. Technical representatives will also be at each station platform should mechanical issues arise.
SunRail passengers also are reminded to “tap-on” at one of three validators located on each platform prior to boarding the train, and then “tap-off” at a validator after reaching their final destination. Conductors on board trains will randomly check ticketed passengers during the revenue service launch. If passengers forget to “tap off” at their final destination, the full one-way fare of $4 for travel between three counties will be deducted from their account.
The final SunRail numbers covering the first 12 days of operations—during free service—are in. Boardings on the last day of free service Friday May 16, topped an estimated 17,000 and pushed up the estimated average daily boarding count to 11,237.
- · Estimated boardings Thursday, May 1: 10,819
- · Estimated boardings Friday, May 2: 10,496
- · Estimated boardings Monday, May 5: 8,586
- · Estimated boardings Tuesday, May 6: 9,761
- · Estimated boardings Wednesday, May 7: 10,437
- · Estimated boardings Thursday, May 8: 10,675
- · Estimated boardings Friday, May 9: 14,749
- · Estimated boardings Monday, May 12: 9,849
- · Estimated boardings Tuesday, May 13: 9,825
- · Estimated boardings Wednesday, May 14: 11,328
- · Estimated boardings Thursday, May 15: 11,215
- · Estimated Boardings Friday, May 16: 17,110
- · Total estimated boardings since May 1: 134,850
- · Average boardings per day since May 1: 11,237
For more information, check SunRail’s website at www.sunrail.com.
SunRail also has a series of instructional videos called SunRail 101. Three helpful videos in preparation for Monday are:
- · SunRail 101: Buying a SunCard
- · SunRail 101: Boarding the Train
- · SunRail 101: Purchasing a SunCard for Persons with Disabilities
Anonymous says
I went to the DeBarry station to take the train today. The parking lot was TOTALLY filled. There were many cars circling around looking for any place to park but there were not available. Really poor planning.
Genie says
Nice idea, but won’t be able to support itself. There isn’t a train system in the country able to do that.
Sherry Epley says
Ahhhh Consider the possibility that if we actually supported “public” transportation, by accepting federal dollars, planning effectively and getting out of our cars, we could spend less time commuting on the “not so free” ways, contribute to cleaner air, and provide “real” transportation for the elderly. Not “everything” has to make a profit.
Saying that, the train systems in some countries more than cover their operating expenses, so it IS possible to create effective train systems:
London Underground 125%
Seoul Metro – Korea 140%
Mass Rapid Transit – Singapore 150%
Santiago – Chile 160%
Manila Line 1 – Philippines 170%
Manchester Metrolink – UK 190%
Mass Transit Railway – Hong Kong 220%
Genie says
Sherry, it’s understood that the feds will have to underwrite, just like everything else. Oh, the Nanny State! Ain’t it great! And it costs us NOTHING!
anoun says
I would have to agree with genie.Nice idea but it will become a burden to the tax payer.I lived in Europe for 8 years and their rail system worked great .But this is not Europe and the American people don’t think the same way or live the sane way..Just because the 1st days there was a big interest does not mean a thing.A new restaurant is always brings in the crowd and a year later they are closed.So I think the jury will be out on this for a while.I hope I am wrong and is a great success.
Bob Pickering says
The bottom line is all transportation systems are subsidized one way or another. I-4 makes NO money. Sunrail and other projects like it give people the freedom to choose an alternative method of transportation. I know a few people who will take the train to take care of any business downtown Orlando just to avoid I-4.
Transportation systems provide a public service…
Sherry Epley says
Florida (my family’s home for many generations) is a state where many people come to retire in the sun and fun. However, we do not have adequate public transportation for those who are elderly and should not be driving. Too few remember when the “big auto” and “big oil” contributed to our dependency on the automobile, and now we are paying the huge price to replace to services:
The General Motors streetcar conspiracy (also known as the Great American streetcar scandal) refers to allegations and convictions in relation to a program by General Motors (GM) and other companies who purchased and then dismantled streetcar and electric train systems in many cities in the United States.
Between 1936 and 1950, National City Lines and Pacific City Lines—with investment from GM, Firestone Tire, Standard Oil of California, Phillips Petroleum, Mack Trucks, and the Federal Engineering Corporation—purchased over 100 electric surface-traction systems in 45 cities including St. Louis, Baltimore, Newark, Los Angeles, New York City, Oakland and San Diego and converted them into bus operations. Several of the companies involved were convicted in 1949 of conspiracy to monopolize interstate commerce but were acquitted of conspiring to monopolize the ownership of these companies.