Latest news with #SunRail
Business Journals
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Journals
Tupperware Heights: Apartments and more proposed near SunRail station
A New York-based firm is planning a major mixed-use development near a SunRail station, potentially bringing hundreds of new apartments to the area.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
FreeBee minivans to travel Seminole roads in place of most Lynx buses — but it might cost more
After recently deciding to ditch most Lynx bus routes over cost and ridership, Seminole commissioners Tuesday voted unanimously to hire microtransit service FreeBee to shuttle riders around the county — but the move raises the prospect that passengers may be asked to pay more than they have under the existing bus service. County leaders hailed the decision as a big day in Seminole history — with one commissioner calling the door-to-door service 'such a big turning point' for mass transit in Central Florida. 'I think this is a great first step,' Commission Chair Jay Zembower said. 'But this is not a government-funded replacement for your Uber or Lyft rides. 'It was never our intention to compete with the private sector. … But the model is broken when it comes to mass transportation using buses.' County officials anticipate FreeBee to be fully operating by Jan. 1, but many details must be worked out before the on-demand service hits Seminole roads. Those include fares, annual cost to the county and how far residents will be able to travel in a FreeBee electric van. It would not be offered in the county's eastern rural area where Lynx doesn't provide service. The cost to the county for FreeBee service would depend on how many vehicles are used. For 35 vans it would cost nearly $4.9 million the first year — with a $100,000 start-up cost. For 55 the cost jumps to nearly $7.8 million annually. FreeBee proposed fares of up to $4 per passenger and $1 more for each additional rider per trip. By comparison, most single-ride fares on Lynx are $2. Discounts would be available for FreeBee passengers younger than 18, older than 65 and those with disabilities. Pointing out that FreeBee fares could end up more expensive than Lynx, Commissioner Lee Constantine said he didn't want it becoming unaffordable to residents who've long relied on the Orlando-based Lynx. 'I want to make sure that folks who have no other choice other than Lynx are going to be put in the same position as they are with Lynx financially,' Constantine said. Here's how FreeBee service would work: A Sanford resident wanting to go to the Altamonte Mall, for example, would request by app or phone call a FreeBee van that seats six to pick them up at their home. The van would drive them to the Sanford SunRail station to catch a train to the Altamonte station, where a FreeBee vehicle would take them to the mall. The customer would likely end up paying fares for the first van, the train and the second van but those specifics need to negotiated. If a Seminole rider wants a trip to downtown Orlando or Winter Park, FreeBee would take them to the nearest SunRail station. On any trip, vans could make stops to pick up other riders along the way. Miami-based FreeBee has operated in Kissimmee since March 2023, when city commissioners decided to replace the fixed-route Lynx Circulator buses with point-to-point service that shuttles riders to businesses, employers and the SunRail station. Data shows that in its first month there FreeBee had 394 passengers, but in January it had 2,186 riders — a more than fivefold increase from its inception. In Kissimmee, the FreeBee service is free to passengers. City spokeswoman Alibeth Suarez said by email that because of its success, the service was expanded in April 2024 to include commercial areas west of John Young Parkway. Lynx is not leaving Seminole entirely. The county agreed to continue its most heavily-used routes near the Orange County border — including along portions of State Road 436, and U.S. highways 441 and 17-92. Lynx also will continue its paratransit service for low-income and elderly riders along with those who have physical or mental disabilities. Seminole commissioners have long criticized Lynx as inefficient and not worth the $17 million cost for this year. They said they often see the 40-foot-long Lynx buses with few or no passengers. County projections last month estimated the number of Lynx riders in Seminole at between 3,500 and 4,200 on weekdays. But Lynx officials said their 2024 data showed an average weekday ridership of 6,644. Lynx has charged Seminole based on number of routes and frequency of service the county requests.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Seminole County leaders to choose Lynx replacement service Tuesday
Seminole County Commissioners are expected to vote Tuesday to designate a Miami-based company as its transit system of the future, and replace many of its Lynx bus lines with an Uber-like system. If approved, FreeBee, Inc. will launch a fleet of 35 to 55 vans that will be able to move people throughout the county at a low cost. FreeBee's plan is to divide the non-rural parts of the county into five distinct zones centered around its SunRail stations and a Lynx stop in Oviedo. Passengers will be able to request rides through an app and move around within those zones. If they want to go further, they'll be taken to the SunRail or Lynx station, where they'll be able to hop onto the bus or train to a different zone and hail another ride. The projected cost for this service will be $2 to $3 per trip, with discounts available to seniors, students and people with disabilities. Unlike Uber, which bills itself as a premium experience, FreeBee targets customers who need an inexpensive yet easy-to-use way to get around and does not do surge pricing. Commissioners will also weigh a different system that will allow people to get rides anywhere within the service area, but that would cost more. The money for the contract would come from the removal of most Lynx lines, months after commissioners criticized the service as being too Orange County-centric. Lynx's most used lines, as well as lines that connect Orange County to Seminole County or pass through a small portion of Seminole, would remain. Commissioners believe FreeBee and its competitors will be able to reach many parts of the sprawling county Lynx doesn't currently serve, boosting transit use throughout the county. FreeBee is used throughout the Miami area as well as other parts of Florida, including downtown Kissimmee. City leaders there recently expanded the service after data showed an uptick in ridership last year. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Can you take SunRail or Brightline to Universal Orlando's Epic Universe? Sort of, see how
Floridians can travel to Epic Universe by car and plane, but can they also get there by train? Universal Orlando's newest theme park will open its doors to the public on Thursday, May 22, taking guests into five immersive worlds through themed portals. Florida has two commuter rail systems that go to Orlando: SunRail in Central Florida and Brightline in South Florida. Here's how you can take them to Epic Universe. Epic Universe is located at 1001 Epic Boulevard in Orlando. Please note: it's not right next to the other Universal Orlando theme parks. It is located about 4 miles away from Universal's "north campus"— which includes Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and CityWalk. This might mean a 13 to 15-minute drive for visitors. There will be complimentary transportation between Epic Universe and the other parks. Brightline operates between South Florida and Orlando with stops at Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, and Orlando. Brightline ticket prices vary based on the distance traveled and the type of ticket purchased. Parkgoers can take Brightline to the Orlando stop at the Orlando International Airport, where Universal Orlando offers the SuperStar Shuttle for traveling round-trip or one-way between the airport and Universal Orlando hotels. The ride from MCO to Universal Orlando is roughly 30 minutes. It costs $39 round-trip per adult, $36 round-trip for children ages 3-9, and free for children 2 and under. As for one-way prices, it costs $23 per adult, $18 per child ages 3-9 and children under 2 ride free. This service can be added to any Universal Parks & Resorts Vacation package with a UOR hotel, or individual UOR hotel reservations. The shuttle must be booked at least 24 hours before guests' scheduled flight time. Rideshare services, such as Uber and Lyft, are also available as an alternative. SunRail is a Central Florida-based commuter train with stops from Volusia County to Osceola County. It began services back in May 2014, currently seeing a daily ridership of over 4,500 people. Like Brightline, SunRail ticket prices vary based on the distance traveled and the type of ticket purchased. While it does not have a stop directly at Universal Orlando, you can get pretty close. The nearest stop to Epic Universe is the Sand Lake Road Station, which is roughly 7 miles away from the new theme park. From the station, you can use rideshare services to travel to the theme park. There is hope that SunRail will be extended to the Orlando International Airport and other areas. The Florida Department of Transportation previously proposed a study looking into an expansion of SunRail between Orlando International Airport and Disney Springs, referred to as the 'Sunshine Corridor.' This would also allow parkgoers to ride to MCO and take the shuttle to the theme park. Epic Universe officially opens to the public on Thursday, May 22, 2025, ahead of Memorial Day weekend. Some might be able to see it early. Universal is currently offering a park preview to select guests through May 19. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Epic Universe opens on May 22. Can Floridians take Brightline to park?
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Yahoo
SunRail shut down due to apparent incident near Sand Lake Rd in Orlando
SunRail has announced that it has canceled its southbound and northbound trains due to an incident involving police assistance. The incident happened between the Sand Lake Road and Meadow Woods Stations. SunRail released this statement: A southbound SunRail train, P319, was involved in an incident north of the intersection of Wetherbee Road and Orange Avenue in Orlando, Orange County, at 12:38 p.m., April 29, 2025, between the Sand Lake Road and Meadow Woods SunRail stations. There were no injuries to the three crew members and 58 passengers onboard. Service has been impacted and some trains are still affected at this time. Northbound train P320 and southbound train P319 have been cancelled. A bus bridge has been implemented between the Sand Lake Road and Meadow Woods SunRail stations. Please use and the SunRail app for updates to train service. For additional information, please contact the investigating law enforcement agency, the Florida Highway Patrol. We appreciate your efforts to use this incident to remind the public of the importance of rail safety. Motorists, pedestrians and cyclists must stay alert and take simple precautions around the rail to ensure their safety. Motorists should always keep vehicles clear of the intersection and behind the white line when stopped. This is especially vital when warning signals start to flash at rail crossings and the gates come down. Please use caution at railroad crossings. Train tracks are not a playground, photo studio, walking path or recreation area. Train tracks are private property. Crossing at unmarked areas, or walking on the tracks, is extremely dangerous and a criminal offense. SunRail offers these safety tips: Never stop on the tracks. Stay behind the white line. Never go around a lowered gate. Trains can approach from either direction at any time. Always look for a second train. Avoid distractions near tracks. Never place objects on tracks. Obey all warning signs and signals. Use crosswalks. More info on rail safety is available at This is a developing story; we have reached out for additional details. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
