SUNRAIL

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — A congressman out of Central Florida wants to give SunRail users the option to ride on weekends. READ: Scientists zero in on what causes loss of smell, taste in COVID-19 patientsFlorida Representative Darren Soto (D - Kissimmee) is leading an effort to use funds from the recently-passed, bipartisan infrastructure law to expand SunRail service. “With the build back better infrastructure package going into law, we now have the money to potentially do that.”We are working to approve @RideSunRail weekend service! This is key to improve our quality of life in Central Florida. Our #BuildBackBetter Infrastructure Law may now provide the well-needed funding.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando Magic fans now have a new, free option to see their team play on the weekdays. On Friday, the Florida Department of Transportation and the Orlando Magic announced a new partnership that will add extended service on SunRail on weeknights that the Magic have home games. Magic ticket holders can ride the southbound “late train” SunRail for free to and from games. Magic ticket holders can show either their hard copy or electronic tickets to SunRail conductors to access the free ride. “We are thrilled to partner with FDOT to offer fans easier access to Magic games,” Magic Senior Vice President of Marketing and Social Responsibility Shelly Wilkes said in the news release.

SunRail is extending service on weeknights when the Orlando Magic have home games, and fans going to the games can ride the train for free.

A pedestrian was killed Thursday afternoon after an accident involving a train in Orlando, according to the police department.

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Orlando Police Department is investigating a collision between a SunRail train and a pedestrian Wednesday afternoon. The unidentified pedestrian was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead there. READ: ‘Disabled vehicle’ leads to discovery of body in Seminole County, deputies sayPolice say they’re still trying to determine what caused the accident. The police department has closed both Washington and Jefferson Streets in both directions while they investigate. Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

ORLANDO, Fla. — SunRail has been up and running in Central Florida for more than seven years. The 61-mile rail currently runs from Osceola County north to DeBary in Volusia County, but there’s still one more stop that needs to be built in DeLand before the state hands over control. There are also additional concerns about just how the transition would take place, and how the local governments plan to pay for it. Original plans called for the state to run it for just seven years before handing over operations to the City of Orlando as well as the Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and Volusia County governments. First, there’s still no organizational structure to speak of between the local governments.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating after a Sunrail train, a semi truck and two cars crashed early Wednesday. Troopers said the crash happened around 6:40 a.m. on Wetherbee Road. Eleven passengers were on the Sunrail train when it crashed, officials said. READ: ‘She gets back in & drives off’: Winter Park man says he has video of delivery driver’s hit-and-runWeatherbee Road was closed while crews cleaned up the crash. READ: Couple holding hands dies 1 minute apart of COVID-19Orange County: Wetherbee Rd is closed, east of Orange Ave. 6:40 am a crash involving a semi-truck, 2 cars and a Sunrail Train w/ 11 passengers occurred.

Authorities are investigating a crash involving a SunRail train in Orlando.

A death investigation causes a traffic alert in Osceola County.

Two Sunrail trains traveling between Poinciana and Kissimmee were canceled Monday afternoon due to police activity near the tracks, according to the commuter rail.

Central Florida remains one of the fastest-growing regions of the nation, and with that growth comes plenty of traffic woes, but Tanya Wilder hopes these...

OPD: SunRail train hit a pedestrian on the tracks near West Kaley StreetORLANDO, Fla. – A crash involving a SunRail train and a pedestrian is causing delays for commuters, according to officials. The crash was reported near West Kaley Street and South Lucerne Terrace shortly after 4 p.m. Tuesday. [TRENDING: COVID after the vaccine | Bugsy, the French bulldog, stolen at gunpoint | SpaceX Starship explodes again]Firefighters said the victim was walking along the tracks of a northbound train when they were hit. AdOfficials with SunRail said a northbound train was involved in an incident near Kaley Avenue around 4 p.m. More than 30 passengers were onboard the train. According to a tweet from SunRail officials, multiple trains are delayed by about an hour.

WINTER PARK, Fla. – A man was struck and killed by a freight train Wednesday night in Winter Park, police said. The fatal crash happened around 9:50 p.m. at Pennsylvania and Holt avenues. [TRENDING: How plants solve rapes, murders | Swastikas found on Fla. playground | Proposal seeks major changes to Bright Futures]Winter Park police said it appears the man, 79-year-old Patrick William Doyle, was trying to cross the tracks when he was struck. Police closed the intersection for hours while officers investigated the Doyle’s death, causing a SunRail train to be delayed for hours and detours for drivers. AdThe intersection reopened early Thursday.

A vehicle was damaged during a crash with a SunRail train on Feb. 19, 2021. SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – A SunRail train hit a vehicle that was on the tracks in Maitland Friday evening according to Seminole County Fire Department. The crash was reported near Greenwood Drive in Maitland around 6:25 p.m. Officials from the Florida Department of Transportation said there were 25 passengers on board the train at the time of the crash and none of them were injured. A SunRail train hit a vehicle that was on the tracks in Altamonte Springs Friday evening and at this point, it’s unknown if anyone was injured, according to Seminole County Fire Rescue.

click image Photo courtesy Sunrail/TwitterIt looks as though DeLand will have its SunRail station by 2024. As reported by Spectrum News 13 , the SunRail Commission on Thursday confirmed a timeline for the anticipated DeLand stop on the commuter rail line, part of the Phase 2 North expansion. Construction for the station and rail lines should be completed, and the station should be up and running, by mid-2024.This expansion will take SunRail beyond its current terminus point of DeBary. The cost of the 12-mile extension project, according to the , comes to about $44 million.During that same meeting, the Florida Department of Transportation confirmed that it will continue to subsidize the costs of this construction project for three more years.SunRail has been struggling with low ridership numbers since its debut over six years ago, and the pandemic has only exacerbated this issue, but the hope is that this Volusia County extension will be a shot in the arm for the commuter line — eventually.

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – A man was found dead Wednesday morning along train tracks near Kissimmee, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The victim was found around 7 a.m. on the railway located near Old Tampa Highway and Pleasant Oaks Court, troopers said. [TRENDING: How to get vaccine in Fla. | Publix to offer vaccine | Man sends dead rat to ex-wife | Dr. Dre suffers brain aneurysm]Investigators have not identified the man and said he was hit by an unknown train. It’s unclear when he was killed. A SunRail commuter train was delayed between Kissimmee and Poinciana due to the investigation on the tracks.

ORLANDO, Fla. – SunRail is suspending all services due to Tropical Storm Eta, which is expected to make landfall in Florida early Thursday. For service updates please follow us on Facebook/Twitter @RideSunRail, or the SunRail app. pic.twitter.com/Kbg3Tov0h5 — SunRail (@RideSunRail) November 11, 2020Computer models show Eta making landfall Thursday north of Tampa and tracking across the state, near Jacksonville. Eta is expected to bring tropical downpours, gusty winds and the threat of tornadoes to Central Florida Wednesday night into Thursday. [TIMELINE: Here’s when you can expect to feel Eta’s impacts]School and COVID-19 testing site closures have also been announced in some Central Florida counties.

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – Kissimmee police have reported that a SunRail, with six passengers on board, hit a vehicle on Thursday. SunRail officials released an update saying, “Train P313 SB is delayed 60 mins due to police assistance near the tracks in Kissimmee.”The train experienced close to a 40 minute delay due to the incident, officials said. [TRENDING: Donald Trump wins Florida | US presidential race results | Floridians vote to raise minimum wage to $15/hour]“No injuries are reported, however that area is shut down for an investigation,” Kissimmee Police said in a Twitter post. Investigators said there was has heavy congestion in the area during the investigation. All other trains remained on schedule, and the train involved has continued on its scheduled route.

LONGWOOD, Fla. – A SunRail train hit a vehicle that was stopped in traffic Wednesday afternoon, according to the Longwood Police Department. Officials said the train clipped the rear end of the vehicle on Ronald Reagan Boulevard, just north of State Road 434. No one was injured. While the road is open and no lanes are blocked, train P324 northbound is delayed by 15 minutes while southbound trains P333 is delayed 32 minutes, P335 is delayed 17 minutes and P331 is delayed 15 minutes as of 5:40 p.m.

ORLANDO, Fla. – A SunRail train carrying 30 passengers crashed into a car Monday morning in Orange County, causing delays and cancellations for the commuter rail service. The crash was reported around 6:10 a.m. at Lancaster Road. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a 55-year-old woman was driving a sedan and tried to turn from Lancaster Road onto Orange Avenue. Troopers said the woman mistakenly turned onto the train tracks and her car became stuck. The front of the train then struck the car, the FHP said.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Two SunRail trains will be delayed by at least 30 minutes Tuesday afternoon due to police activity near the tracks. SunRail tweeted about the delay at 2:12 p.m., saying it would be 20 minutes then tweeted again at 2:28 p.m. that the delay would be 35 minutes. [TRENDING: ‘My son lost his life over Burger King’ | StarFlyer tower climber describes seeing co-worker fall to death | Are you getting political text messages?] The police activity was reported between Winter Park and Maitland but officials didn’t provide an exact location or any further details as to the cause of the investigation. Check back for more updates on this developing story.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Officials announced SunRail will suspend service on Monday due to Hurricane Isaias. Sunrail said crews will begin working to prepare the corridor and render it safe before the storm. Crews will secure railroad gates at 127 railroad crossings. Officials said crews will also inspect and store the SunRail train fleet. Hurricane Isaias is projected to be in the Florida area on Saturday.

PORT ORANGE, Fla. – A pedestrian was struck by a train Wednesday afternoon in Port Orange, according to officials with Volusia County Fire Rescue. Officials said the pedestrian was struck while on the tracks along Commonwealth Boulevard around 3 p.m.A spokesperson with the Port Orange Police Department said Oak Street, Dunlawton Avenue, Herbert Street and Charles Street remain closed so police and officials with the Florida East Coast Railway could conduct investigations. This is the second incident involving a train Wednesday. Earlier in the day, around 11:55 a.m., a woman was hit and killed by a SunRail train after witnesses said she maneuvered her SUV around the signal arms that were in the down position for the approaching train. [RELATED: Driver hit, killed by SunRail train in Seminole County]This is a developing story.

SunRail will be reducing its hours of operation to focus on peak morning and afternoon hours and allow more time for cleaning, according to the FDOT. 31, SunRail will be reducing its hours of operation to focus on peak morning and afternoon hours "when the majority of riders travel to and from work, including major hospitals," according to a release from the Florida Department of Transportation Sunday. The reduction is to protect riders and workers during the coronavirus pandemic, the FDOT said. "SunRail is taking extra precautions to reduce the potential spread of COVID-19. Additional workers have been hired to increase the frequency of cleaning onboard and at station platforms," the release said.

Published: February 13, 2020, 11:53 am Updated: February 15, 2020, 10:35 amWINTER PARK, Fla. – Mark your calendar for the 61st annual Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival happening March 20-22. The festival is one of the nation’s oldest fine art shows where artists compete for 63 awards totaling $74,500. Original artwork will be on display under the large oak trees of Central Park in downtown Winter Park. Parking will be available on all side streets surrounding downtown Winter Park, nearby parking lots charging nominal fees or in the Rollins College parking garage. Fine arts and crafts categories include clay, digital art, drawings and pastels, fiber-glass, graphics and printmaking, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media 2D, mixed media 3D, painting, photography, sculpture, watercolor and wood.

Despite literal pieces falling off the three-decade-old trains, Disney hasnt given any indication that it plans to replace them.Rumors circulated last year that Bombardier, which built the current Mark VI trains, had been contracted for a new fleet. At the time, the primary source of the rumors was a fan site that Disney has since publicly called "unscrupulous," due to publishing multiple unfounded rumors. The report notes a North American deal for $104 million in rolling stock and $247 million in services for an undisclosed client. Bombardiers newest trains use the latest technology for seamless autonomous operations, meaning Disney could choose to save costs by eliminating monorail pilots. Las Vegas is expanding its monorail system, which initially used monorails that Disney sold them, though, unlike Disney, it has since updated to newer trains.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. - Mayor Jerry Demings took the SunRail on Thursday morning as part of "Mobility Week" in Orange County. I'm about to ride @RideSunRail with @OrangeCoFL Mayor Jerry Demings as part of mobility week. We are going to discuss how more residents can use more alternative modes of transportation to work etc. I was just trying to understand from them what they see as the positives and the negatives of the current system," Demings said. The mayor is pushing for a one-cent sales tax referendum to fully fund a transportation system, and he's hoping voters will help during elections in 2020.

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - A man was hit and killed by a SunRail train as it left the Kissimmee station Monday, according to Kissimmee police. The train was leaving at 6:22 a.m. when it struck a pedestrian on the tracks near Dakin Avenue, police said. Some SunRail trains heading to and from Kissimmee have been delayed as authorities investigate a pedestrian-related incident, according to police. HAPPENING NOW: Kissimmee Police have Monument Ave blocked off at the railroad crossing after a man was struck and killed by a SunRail train. Investigators say the victim was crossing the tracks just after the train left the station about a block away.

A man was hit and killed by a SunRail train as it left the Kissimmee station Monday, according to Kissimmee police. Copyright 2019 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.

ORLANDO, Fla. - A SunRail train hit a vehicle near downtown Orlando Thursday evening, officials said. The crash happened around 6:45 p.m. at the tracks on Colonial Drive and Orange Avenue. The incident delayed southbound train P335 by 20 minutes, SunRail officials said. Photos from the scene showed a SunRail train stopped on the track and a white car with front-end damage nearby. Copyright 2019 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.

The FDOT aim is to have customers pay the correct amount of fare each time they ride and ensure they tap on and off with each trip. SunRail will tighten enforcement of its fare collection Thursday, with extra staff checking tickets. Earlier this month, the commuter-rail service already began flagging customers who were not tapping off or paying their proper fare, asking them to contact customer service. In November, SunRail will begin charging customers who don't tap off the full one-way fare, $5. [SUNRAIL AT 5: Ridership for commuter train is growing, but will it ever expand to DeLand?]

But now, as dozens of trains now pass every day, Mendoza said the sound of the trains' horns has become almost unbearable. Starting this week, trains approaching four railroad crossings in Edgewood will no longer be required to sounds their horns with the implementation of a "Quiet Zone" through the community. "Every winter, when people sleep with the windows open, we get calls all the time saying, 'Can you do anything about those freight train horns?'" Those and other infrastructure improvements required by the FHA for quiet zones cost about $260,000 per crossing, transportation officials said. But for homeowners like Mendoza, the absence of train horns is priceless.

Officials are adding safe lanes to a SunRail crossing in Longwood to reduce the number of train and vehicle collisions. Copyright 2019 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Public transportation has come a long way in Central Florida, and Kissimmee is among the latest cities in the area to offer even more travel options to its residents. The City of Kissimmee, in partnership with Lynx Transportation, has started the Kissimmee Connector. "The City of Kissimmee, down in Osceola County, has done just that, keeping travelers connected with the Kissimmee Connector." Stops include Kissimmee Lakefront Park, Osceola Courthouse, Kissimmee City Hall, Osceola Regional Medical Center, AdventHealth Kissimmee and the county library. City of Kissimmee public information officer Melissa Zayas-Moreno said the shuttle service has been running since January and is available to anyone, including visitors and residents.

ORLANDO, Fla. - A SunRail train hit a vehicle that was stopped on the tracks at Colonial Drive Wednesday afternoon, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. The crash happened shortly after noon. None of the 79 passengers or two crew members on southbound train P39 were injured. Officials did not say if the person in the vehicle was injured. Copyright 2019 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.

WINTER PARK, Fla. - The driver of a sedan was injured when a SunRail train hit his car Thursday afternoon in Winter Park, police said. The crash happened at South Denning Drive and Barnum Avenue around 2 p.m. Winter Park police did not have further details about the cause of the crash. Sky 6 video from the scene showed a train stopped on the tracks near a black sedan with damage to its front end and roof. SunRail riders should expect northbound train P320 to be delayed by at least 40 minutes. Copyright 2019 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. - A SunRail train hit a car in Orange County on Friday night. The crash happened in the area of Oak Ridge Road and Orange Avenue. At this time, it is not known why the car was on the tracks. We will update this story as more information becomes available. Copyright 2019 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.

Orlando's Exploria Stadum hosting MLS All-Stars in match vs. Atltico de Madrid. SunRail is adding a late train to accommodate fans going to the Major League Soccer All-Star Game in Orlando Wednesday night. Trains will run both northbound and southbound at 10:30 p.m., departing from Church Street Station, about a 10-minute walk from Exploria Stadium. The normal schedule only calls for one late train operating northbound at that time. The match starts at 8 p.m. and features the MLS All-Stars and the Atltico de Madrid.

[MORE: SunRail in DeLand: Volusia sets up legal challenge to state's handover of costs in 2021]Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, who chaired the Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission meeting Thursday, offered Volusia an opportunity to kill the DeLand station. He straight-up asked Kelley if Volusia wants the DeLand station. The DeLand station would be some three miles west of downtown, which means a last-mile alternative such as a trolley or bus will be required to deliver passengers there. [READ: SunRail at 5: Commuter rail is growing, but will it go to DeLand?] One of Volusias letters notes previous failed efforts to link SunRail with DeLand.

DELAND With a unanimous consent vote Tuesday, the Volusia County Council reaffirmed its commitment to fund one-quarter of the cost of a DeLand SunRail station, while also positioning itself legally against significant deviations from the plan. [ALSO: SUNRAIL AT 5: Ridership for commuter train is growing, but will it ever run to DeLand?] [SEE: With federal funds in sight, Volusia County Council reconsiders SunRail to DeLand]The 2007 grand bargain to build SunRail in two phases included a DeLand station to have been in operation by now. Volusia council members sounded skeptical about whether the state will get the funds to build the DeLand station, or that it will be a priority under Gov. "Rather, Volusia relies upon clear agreement text for the proposition that the seven-year FDOT funding period has not yet commenced," Kelley's letter states.

The Volusia County Council on Tuesday tentatively approved a 6.75% property tax increase to fund improvements to its ambulance system, give raises to more than 3,000 employees and prepare for costs related to Amendment 10 and SunRail. Residents living in the unincorporated regions of the county could be required to pay $17 more for that service next year. County Chair Ed Kelley said he would like to see the ECHO tax eliminated altogether. While the council approved no change in the property tax rate of $5.69 per $1,000 of taxable value, it represents a tax increase because its higher than the rolled-back rate of $5.33. Council members Fred Lowry and Heather Post voted against the proposed tax rate but did not offer alternatives.

Will SunRail come to DeLand? The Volusia County Council is voting on reauthorizing their funding commitment talking about budget proposals, among other items on the agenda at today's Volusia County Council meeting. [READ MORE: With federal funds in sight, Volusia County Council reconsiders SunRail to DeLand]Tweets by Dustin_WyattNJ

DELAND The Volusia County Council reaffirmed its commitment to fund one-quarter of the cost of a DeLand SunRail station Tuesday. A 2007 agreement to build SunRail in two phases included a DeLand station to have been in operation by now. The Volusia County Council voted unanimously to approve that letter, which goes on to say the FDOT "owed a duty to consult with Volusia. Volusia's share of the DeLand station would be $19.3 million, according to a letter from SunRail. Liquori gave the county a Wednesday deadline to commit to its share of the DeLand station.

The first glimmer of hope for a DeLand SunRail station in several years has emerged and, Volusia County Council members will be put on the spot Tuesday about whether to honor an earlier council's commitment to it. A DeLand station would be located adjacent to the Amtrak station on Old New York Road west of DeLand. While the SunRail-to-DeLand scenario enjoys support from the DeLand community, Volusia County's commitment to the rail system remains controversial. In 2014, the DeLand station was estimated to cost $69 million. "The position of the city of DeLand, in its desire to bring SunRail to DeLand, remains unchanged," Apgar said.

West Highbanks Road in DeBary will be closed at the railroad crossing from 8 p.m. Saturday to 8 p.m. Sunday for construction, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. SunRail will be updating the crossing, FDOT spokesperson Jessica Ottaviano said in a release, to "improve safety for both motor vehicles and train traffic." [READ MORE: SunRail at 5: Ridership for commuter train is growing, but will it ever run to DeLand?] A detour will be in place to route drivers around the construction on Fort Florida Road and Charles Richard Beall Boulevard (U.S. 17-92), Ottaviano said.

West Highbanks Road in DeBary will be closed this weekend at the railroad crossing while SunRail makes upgrades to the crossing. The intersection, just west of Rob Sullivan Park, will be closed from 8 p.m. Saturday to 8 p.m. Sunday, barring any delays due to inclement weather, per a news release from the Florida Department of Transportation. [READ MORE: SunRail at 5: Ridership for commuter train is growing, but will it ever run to DeLand?] Motorists can detour around the work, which will improve safety for vehicles and train traffic, via Fort Florida Road and U.S. 17-92 (Charles Richard Beall Boulevard).