SunRail Saturday Service Begins October 8

Posted

sunrail side of train credit FDOT

Orlando, Florida -Update: In a news event today Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer was joined by officials including some from Volusia County in an announcement of a test run for Saturday service for SunRail. The service will generally be between 2PM and 11PM and could change to support large scale events in the area on Saturdays. Stakeholders ranging from Florida Hospital to the Orlando Magic have raised $250,000 to support the Saturday service. Riders are encouraged to help with donations and can do that here.  Individual supporters are being called a "Commuter Enthusiast." For donations of $35 and up, the supporter will get a special t-shirt. Saturday service will run from October to February for now.

Earlier reporting follows:

A news conference will be held today to make what's being described as "an important announcement" regarding SunRail.

SunRail service on Saturday has been discussed recently, but nothing has been formally announced. Some sources are saying Thursday's event will include discussion of a possible plan.

The SunRail riders blog says the details on Saturday SunRail will be spelled out during the event and the blog, which isn't affiliated with SunRail or FDOT, added "our sources say they expect the train to start rolling in October, probably in time to support the massive Come Out With Pride Festival on Saturday, Oct. 8 in Orlando’s Lake Eola."

It's been rumored for some time that SunRail wanted to test out Saturday service between October and January, but operating costs have been a major stumbling block. One possible way to overcome that obstacle is by crowd funding the project. Sunrail's expected to start taking donations from private individuals as well as local companies and organizations to help fund Saturday service. The donations could be tiered from $25 to $25,000.

Photo courtesy FDOT.

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