Sunshine Corridor: SunRail and Brightline Stop at Universal Studios and Airport Connection

https://www.local10.com/news/florida/20 ... urism-hub/

https://www.local10.com/news/florida/20 ... urism-hub/

ORLANDO, Fla. – Universal Orlando Resort on Thursday filed paperwork and pledged 13 acres for a commuter rail station that could link the seventh busiest airport in the U.S. with the heart of the tourism district in one of the top travel destinations in the world.

Universal filed an application with Orange County, Florida to form a quasi-governmental body that will plan, finance, construct, operate, own and maintain a new SunRail station located at the Orange County Convention Center.

Once completed — possibly as soon as 2030 — the line would connect the main corridor of Orlando’s tourism industry with Orlando International Airport.
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Since Disney was such a jerk wanting exclusive service hope it gets locked out unless it quits trying to bleed the customers.

Brightline Universal Discussion: brightline-i-drive-international-drive- ... 72873.html

https://www.masstransitmag.com/rail/new ... brightline

After listening to a presentation extolling the benefits of the proposed Sunshine Corridor passenger train, Seminole commissioners on Tuesday agreed to support a study on the costs, ridership and feasibility of expanding SunRail and Brightline from Orlando’s airport to the region’s tourism hub.

“We’re not talking about dollars right now, we’re talking about endorsing studies,” Commissioner Lee Constantine said. “And I for one feel very strongly that we need to do that.”

For now, it’s only a concept. But after Brightline Trains begins its expected service from South Florida to the Orlando International Airport this year, its next plan is to continue extending the tracks from the airport to Tampa.
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Those supporting the project say SunRail riders from Seminole would be able to connect to a passenger train to the airport, the convention center, Universal Orlando resort and other attractions along the International Drive area.
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SunRail has a lot of potential. It's a shame it only goes North-South and doesn't really link with anything important, like the airport, the convention center, any of the theme parks, etc.. A stop at any of those places would definitely BALLOON SunRail's ridership

I plan on trying it out on my planned trip to Orlando in October of this year, but the fact that it only runs on weekdays will put a strain in my itinerary.

There is a slight chance that if Brightline is very well used that a push to get it running from DeBarry to the airport will speed up that project.

Looks like they're calling it the Sunshine Corridor now: MyNews13

Proposal continues for ‘The Sunshine Corridor’ in Central Florida

ORLANDO, Fla. — A week into Brightline’s new rail service starting in Orlando, a proposal to extend SunRail service in Orange County is underway.

It’s called “The Sunshine Corridor,” and it’s focused on connecting more visitors between the Orlando International Airport and the International Drive area of Orlando.

The proposed extension would connect SunRail and Brightline from Orlando International Airport to the attractions area.

The Sunshine Corridor would connect SunRail to the east from the airport, and to the west with stops at the Orange County Convention Center in the I-Drive area, and farther down the line near Disney Springs.

Brightline would also use these new tracks in their next proposal to head toward Tampa.
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They really need to just focus on getting SunRail to connect to the Airport ASAP. The rails for them to use are already there, whereas the rails for the other stops aren't at this moment, and IIRC, SunRail connections were accounted for in the terminal's train station.

I believe that a parallel track will be needed as the present line that essentially runs from DeBarry - airport serves some industries and a yard that uses the "mainline " for switching.

The Sunshine Corridor would connect SunRail to the east from the airport, and to the west with stops at the Orange County Convention Center in the I-Drive area, and farther down the line near Disney Springs.

I wonder whether Brightline will pick a single, specific "Orlando Resorts" station, or would it serve as a local through this section, before expressing to Tampa?

west point wrote: ↑Mon Oct 02, 2023 10:53 pm I believe that a parallel track will be needed as the present line that essentially runs from DeBarry - airport serves some industries and a yard that uses the "mainline " for switching.

Following that airport RoW, there are no industries along it. I believe it is owned by Orlando utilities as well.

HenryAlan wrote: ↑Tue Oct 03, 2023 6:56 am I wonder whether Brightline will pick a single, specific "Orlando Resorts" station, or would it serve as a local through this section, before expressing to Tampa?

I believe the original plan was to have it be a "local" of some sort, that would pass through different points of Orlando and through the theme parks, but due to Disney screwing the pooch (they seemed to want Brightline serve them and ONLY them, and got mad when Brightline didn't oblige), but it's likely that there will be some sort of general "Orlando Resorts" station