Brightline launches intercity rail service to Orlando International Airport on September 22

TrainsOfDisney2 hours ago

That’s my issue - this was going to move forward with Brightline money - now it’s likely to never happen because of all the government agencies involved.

lazyboy97o2 hours ago

I’m not sure it’d be very far along with how Brightline has repeatedly been very optimistic about their plans. But Universal did mount the opposition to Brightline getting approval to build along FL-417. They very much set back the project and more than was necessary at that. Universal could have cleanly offered to partner with Brightline and provide the required funding for their desired route. Instead they helped concoct this plan with SunRail so that everything must start over and now run through the bureaucracy of more local governments and agencies.

trainplane32 hours ago

That's good to hear. I was just basing my statement off of what happened in the past. I hope it works out since it can only benefit everyone.

TrainsOfDisney2 hours ago

Wouldn’t we be much further along if Universal hadn’t gotten in the way? This shouldn’t have anything to do with Universal and Brightline… Brightline should build on their preferred route and if Universal wants sun rail they can pay for it. Or is that a really incorrect take on this whole thing?

lazyboy97o2 hours ago

Universal is behind the whole Sunshine Corridor and blocking Brightline from taking their preferred route along FL-417. Given this flip flopping it suggests Iger has been open to rail connections but Chapek opposed it.

trainplane32 hours ago

*Until SunRail talks to Universal, then it's back to square one.

Batman'sParents14 hours ago

New interesting development: https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2024/04/26/disney-springs-sunrail-station.html Walt Disney World has signaled they are open to having an on-property SunRail station. The company in an unsigned statement to Orlando Business Journal said they would be open to discuss a potential station at Disney Springs. The shared Sunshine Corridor between Miami-based Brightline and the Central Florida commuter rail system would include stops at Orlando International Airport, Orange County Convention Center and South International Drive. “We have long been open to discussions around the proposed SunRail expansion to Disney Springs and have been engaged with state and community leaders on the topic," Disney wrote in a statement. "This is not to be confused with the agreement we previously had for a Brightline station that Brightline decided not to pursue.” Brightline had proposed a Disney Springs station in 2019, but that plan ended in 2022 after the proposed route for Brightline changed from along State Road 417 to go closer to International Drive. Meanwhile, the Florida Department of Transportation on April 25 presented cost and ridership estimates on the corridor, expected to cost up to $4.78 billion. The presentation included the potential for a Disney Springs station, which could cost $173 million to $247 million to build. The move would come as the corridor has already drawn other partners tied to stations. Universal Orlando Resort has already pledged land for the convention center station and through a taxing district will provide funding for the infrastructure. Orange County Mayor and SunRail Board Member Jerry Demings said during the April 25 that the success of the corridor plan will be dependent on federal, state, local and private dollars to make it happen.

TrainsOfDisney1 day ago

That’s exactly what taxes are supposed to pay for - infrastructure like transportation

Lilofan1 day ago

Mayor Jerry will stick it to the tourists and locals ( ie increasing taxes of living and vacation spending ) to help fund.

lentesta1 day ago

The love of light rail from the airport to theme park hotels is ubiquitous. Wait ... is "ubiquitous" the right term for "in all cases?" You know how I mix up my words sometimes.

TrainsOfDisney1 day ago

The only thing taken off the table was a station “on Disney property” but that station was barely going to be on property over by Disney Springs. They can still have a station in virtually the same place - just not technically on property.

Big_Shakalaka1 day ago

I thought MCO to Disney was completely taken off the table a few years ago. So, It's back to being an option again?

Twirlnhurl1 day ago

Still reading the report, but this line in the Sentinel jumped out at me: "Connecting SunRail to just the airport, for example, would cost an estimated $400 million and boost annual ridership to a projected 3.7 million." How do they get to $400 million for that!? They don't need to build any tracks, and the tracks they need to use are owned by OUC, a city-owned utility! Are an extra couple trainsets, signaling upgrades, MCO station finishes, and signage really that expensive?! Prices have gone up a lot over the past few years, but I feel like this should be like $80 million worth of stuff!

rio1 day ago

I love to travel around, and I prefer to travel to cities with good public transit. Trains are preferred, but frequent high speed buses are also fine. Part of the reason I love Disney is that I don’t need a car to get around. It’s the place that taught me such a thing is possible. However I cannot visit Universal, Seaworld, or other Orlando attractions and events easily. Changing to Universal/Seaworld/Downtown is expensive, and the time required to do so is only going up as the region continues to develop. If the farthest of the lines can somehow get funded that would be a dream come true, and make traveling to Florida more attractive for myself and international visitors. Visiting Miami AND Orlando over the span of 2 weeks would be like visiting multiple cities in the NEC, or overseas in Europe and Asia.