SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – SunRail riders could soon feel the impacts of a major change in how the commuter train system is managed and funded.
Seminole County commissioners are expected to approve $11.5 million Tuesday to cover their share of operating costs for SunRail as the state prepares to hand over control of the system to local governments.
Starting next year, SunRail will no longer be operated by the Florida Department of Transportation. Instead, the responsibility will shift to the four counties the train passes through, Seminole, Orange, Osceola and Volusia, along with the city of Orlando. Each government will pay a share of the costs based on ridership.
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For daily commuters like Sidney Smith of Seminole County, the train is a lifeline. He takes SunRail every morning from Seminole County to his job in Orange County.
“I think it’s huge,” Smith said. “I normally take it most mornings. I heard a guy talking and he was saying, I used to drive an hour and now I get to work an hour, and I’d do the same thing on my commute.”
While Smith says the service is essential, he worries about the financial burden that could come with local control.
“How is it going to impact me as a commuter?” Smith asked. “Is my cost of ticket going to go up? Are my taxes going to go up? Like how are they going to end up paying for it?”
According to current projections, Volusia County will pay just over $6.7 million next year, with that figure expected to grow annually. Orlando will shoulder the largest share at $18 million.
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Smith said he also worries about how multiple governments will work together on scheduling and operations.
“Because there’s so many different parties being involved, everyone’s not going to agree on the scheduling of it overall,” he said. “So it can cause a lot of trouble when there’s a lot of heads at the table.”
Commissioners are expected to vote on Seminole County’s share Tuesday morning, clearing the way for SunRail to be under full local control by next summer.