Local

SunRail starts nighttime service to test customer demand

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — For the first time, SunRail trains are operating at night in central Florida Monday night. The Florida Department of Transportation is trying to determine if permanent nighttime service is necessary.

The additional night-time train began service Monday evening and it will test customer demand. FDOT officials believe the expanded schedule could be very popular during the holidays.

The passenger load will be closely monitored into the new year to see if it's viable to make the late night runs a permanent fixture.

Many riders told Channel 9 Monday night they were in favor of SunRail operating at night.

"Oh absolutely we'll use it at night. Hopefully for parents, date night, getting out to the events, things like that," said rider Teresa Guptill.

"I think it'll be popular. I think people will get on and go like to downtown Orlando, Church Street, Winter Park," said rider Ed Jackowiec. "Gives you a little more time for dinner."

Black Friday was a huge day for ridership, making it clear the trains have potential as something other than a workday commuter train, according to FDOT.

"That's something people have been asking us about; Can you expand service can you bring the trains through a little later?" said Steve Olson of FDOT.

Officials said they hope that the additional train will help customers who are taking in events at the Amway Center, the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts and other activities at stops along the route.

Central Florida resident Diane Gallagher said thanks to SunRail, she and her husband are planning to experience Orlando's newest venue.

"We're going to go see the concert at the new Dr. Phillips (Performing Arts Center)," said Gallagher.

Officials said FDOT will provide fuel needed for the additional train. Bombardier Transportation, which operates the trains, will extend existing crew schedules at no cost during the test schedule. That means the total cost for the test runs will come in at $340 a day.

"This is a way we can test this out and see how far that goes," said Olson.

Next month, leaders will present a plan that includes eight more train trips on a daily basis for nighttime rides and 18 trips, one running every two hours, on weekends.

Weekend service has also been talked about as an option but first, the nighttime routes will have to prove themselves, officials said.

SunRail does not operate on weekends or most federal holidays.

TEST SCHEDULE

SOUTHBOUND

  • DEBARY- 9:05
  • SANFORD- 9:11
  • LAKE MARY- 9:18
  • LONGWOOD-9:24
  • ALTAMONTE SPRINGS- 9:28
  • MAITLAND- 9:34
  • WINTER PARK- 9:41
  • FL HOSPITAL HEALTH VILLAGE- 9:48
  • LYNX- 9:53
  • CHURCH- 9:56
  • ORLANDO HEALTH- 9:59
  • SAND LAKE- 10:08

NORTHBOUND

  • SAND LAKE- 10:20
  • ORLANDO HEALTH- 10:29
  • CHURCH- 10:32
  • LYNX- 10:35
  • FLORIDA HOSPITAL- 10:40
  • WINTER PARK- 10:47
  • MAITLAND- 10:54
  • ALTAMONTE SPRINGS- 11:00
  • LONGWOOD- 11:04
  • LAKE MARY- 11:10
  • SANFORD- 11:17
  • DEBARY- 11:23
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