By BLANCHE HARDY
The Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission (CFCRC) recently unanimously approved advancing the proposed Sunshine Corridor to the next phase – a Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study. The proposed corridor would accommodate expansion of SunRail’s commuter rail service and Brightline’s intercity passenger rail program in Central Florida.
FDOT will oversee the study, which will explore the project’s feasibility, cost estimates, environmental considerations, funding strategy, and compliance with federal grant requirements. The Sunshine Corridor’s potential to reduce vehicular congestion is a sustainability win for the region. SunRail currently operates in a 61-mile corridor hosting 17 stations through Volusia, Seminole, Orange, and Osceola counties between the City of DeLand in Volusia County and Poinciana Park in Osceola County.
Expansion of commuter and long-distance passenger rail is being planned for Central Florida, and the environment will be one of the most important beneficiaries. Rail offers higher fuel efficiency, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and encourages sustainable walkable development.
“The Sunshine Corridor – the expansion of SunRail from Orlando International Airport to Orlando’s theme parks – will connect the existing SunRail line to major employment centers with more than 200,000 jobs,” said Bob O’Malley, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs for the Orlando Economic Partnership. “This will help reduce automobile traffic and increase access to employment opportunities for Central Florida residents. Furthermore, it will provide a transportation alternative for the millions of tourists who visit our region every year. This will have a positive environmental and economic impact.”
CFCRC’s proposed SunRail expansion, located in Orange County, will connect to major destinations, including Orlando International Airport, the Orange County Convention Center, South International Drive, and Disney Springs. Privately operated Brightline high-speed passenger rail service currently operates between Miami and Orlando. Brightline plans to expand to Tampa in the future.
Expansion and connection of SunRail and Brightline will help relieve congestion while providing environmental benefits to the region. Traffic tracker INRIX reports that the Orlando metropolitan area is ranked among the most congested in the U.S. Transportation makes up 36 percent of Orange County’s greenhouse gas emissions. According to the American Public Transportation Association, increasing public transportation improves air quality, lowers vehicle emissions, and reduces noise pollution.
County records indicate Central Florida grows by nearly 1,000 new residents a week. By 2030, projections forecast the regional population will reach 5.2 million. Central Florida also hosted over 74 million tourism visitors in 2024.
The projected ridership potential of the proposed rail expansion emphasizes the capacity for Central Florida passenger rail to get cars off the road. The multimodal terminal servicing passenger rail built at Orlando International Airport is anticipated to accommodate 57 million annual passengers and over 25,000 airport employees.
The Orange County Convention Center hosts 1.5 million annual attendees, has 100,000 employees in the International Drive area, and the new proposed local stations will serve planned mixed-use developments and attractions such as Universal Epic Universe and SeaWorld. Disney also employs 75,000 employees in the vicinity.
