I was thrilled to be back in Central Florida this week on behalf of Secretary Foxx to sign a $93.4 million full funding grant agreement with SunRail. The Federal Transit Administration grant will support the 17.2-mile second phase of expanded commuter rail service from Southern Orlando into Osceola County.
And I was pleased to be joined by Congressman John Mica, Congressman Alan Grayson, and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer –three great champions for public transportation.
The new line will extend from south of Orlando through Kissimmee to Poinciana in Osceola County. The project promises improved transit access to regional employment, entertainment, cultural, and retail destinations, including the Orlando Central Business District, and –through transit connections– to the Orlando International Airport, Disney World, Sea World, Universal Studios, and the Lake Nona mixed-use commercial community.
FTA’s contribution to SunRail for Phase II South will cover about half the cost of the extension. This worthwhile investment will bring more transportation options to even more people so they can access jobs, services, shopping, entertainment, and other destinations when service opens in 2019.
The first phase, which opened more than a year ago, has already proven to be a useful way for people to get to work and special events, saving them time and money.
The line is also attracting new economic development, bringing in new jobs and opportunities. And, the Orlando Sentinel even published an article about how some riders are losing weight by walking the convenient distances from SunRail stations to the places they want to go!
Together, SunRail and FTA are improving the economic and physical health of the Central Florida region. This is one more reason that FTA is proud to be a partner in Central Florida’s bold vision for true 21st Century public transportation.
But the people of Central Florida have made it clear they want more: more transit options, with more frequent service, going to more destinations. And when the main complaint is that people want more of what you’re offering, you’re on the right track.
SunRail train; photo courtesy Walter on Flickr.
To deliver more of the benefits of improved public transportation to Central Florida and other communities across America, we need Congress to pass a long-term surface transportation bill with adequate funding to build the transit networks this Nation needs.
Secretary Foxx has sent Congress such a bill —twice. It’s called the GROW AMERICA Act, and it would boost federal funding for transit by 70 percent.
SunRail Phase II will help connect residents of Central Florida to jobs, education, medical care, and other services and opportunity. With GROW, we can do even more to keep them connected.
