Florida's weekend SunRail operation cost estimation: How much will it set back?
SunRail, Central Florida's commuter rail service, is considering expanding its weekend service, but the question of funding remains. The potential sources for financing this expansion include a mix of local, state, federal, and private funds, as well as leasing options.
The cost of each cab car and passenger car with controls is estimated at $5.6 million. Operating weekend service could cost approximately $26.3 million annually, with a capital investment of about $61.8 million needed for additional locomotives and cab cars.
The Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission (CFCRC) is actively evaluating potential funding models, ridership forecasts, and long-term benefits before making any final decisions. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is also involved in related corridor expansion studies, assessing feasibility, cost, and funding strategies.
Possible funding sources include local transit and county funds, state funds and FDOT oversight, federal grants, private activity bonds and public-private partnerships, and leasing assets. A sales tax referendum is a potential funding option for the purchase of locomotives and cars.
The operational costs for weekend service would primarily be borne by local communities, with some federal support. SunRail trains currently run along a 61-mile route Monday through Friday. To provide consistent weekend service, SunRail would need three additional locomotives, each costing $15 million.
SunRail service on weekends is estimated to generate between 4,600 and 9,500 trips. Ticket prices for SunRail range from $2 to $5 depending on the distance traveled. Special weekend service is currently sponsored by private entities such as the Orlando Downtown Development Board.
Examples of special events with SunRail service include the FIFA Club World Cup match in July 2021, which shuttled nearly 5,000 passengers to downtown Orlando, and the drone show during Downtown for the Holidays in December 2021, which attracted 6,300 passenger trips.
Board members and staff plan to discuss weekend service in detail at a workshop in the coming weeks. The ongoing studies and workshops by CFCRC and FDOT will clarify the exact funding model and financial structure before implementation.
Personal-finance implications for expanding SunRail's weekend service include an estimated annual operating cost of $26.3 million and a capital investment of about $61.8 million for additional locomotives and cab cars, each costing around $15 million. The financial structure for this expansion might involve a combination of local transit funds, state funds, federal grants, private activity bonds, public-private partnerships, leasing assets, and potentially a sales tax referendum for the purchase of locomotives and cars.
