Magazine serving the bus and rail transit & motorcoach operations since 1904
Issue link: https://metromag.epubxp.com/i/131307
SUNRAIL tions for remanufactured locomotives, according to the company. SERVICE INTEGRATION FDOT ofcials have been working with transportation providers up and down the corridor to integrate services with the rail line. While the suburban stations along the corridor will be park-n-ride arrangements, the downtown area stations are the "destination stations" that require transportation options for commuters. To address "last-mile" connections in the downtown Orlando area, FDOT is working with the local mass transit provider, LYNX (Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority), to coordinate feeder bus services. "So, to a certain extent, people can buy their ticket, get off the train and transfer to a LYNX bus for one price," says Olson. Additionally, LYNX and the City of Orlando have partnered to expand the downtown bus circulator system, LYMMO, which will provide local service connection from SunRail stations to central city destinations. Construction is underway, with service set to begin in early 2014. "Nothing precludes private transportation providers from jumping into the mix as well," says Olson. "Let's say a business wants to pay for a dedicated bus service or a service through a private provider [for its employees], that's an option also." FDOT also has a commuter services program, branded as reTink, which includes carpooling and vanpooling options. "There might be some opportunities there for some of the suburban stations, with people making some sort of arrangements by using a van to get to their ofces," Olson says. For the northern portion of the rail line, Volusia County's public transit system, Votran, is looking at routes to connect with SunRail. Votran and LYNX intend on upgrading their fare systems to work with SunRail, Olson says. Te goal is to have seamless service. "When you purchase a ticket, it will work seamlessly between the agencies," Olson says. "We are working on the backof-the-house issues right now." 32 < mETRO mAGAZINE JUNE 2013 The Florida Hospital rail station is one of 12 stations planned for the first phase of the rail line, which has spurred a $250 million investment in a 176-acre Health Village. Te fare collection system will employ tap-on, tap-of technology. SunRail platforms will each have four vending kiosks to issue tickets. "We are going to be encouraging people to go cashless, but one of the vending machines will handle cash and coin," he adds. TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT Te 12 outdoor stations are designed with awnings to keep people out of the elements. "Te weather here in Florida is not that bad to be waiting outside, even in the winter," Olson says. FDOT is currently developing an app that will allow users of smartphones or other mobile devices to track the train. Stations will also be equipped with realtime arrival screens and video surveillance systems. "We're supporting business development around these stations," Olson says. "Te cities are embracing this transit oriented development and the business opportunities around the stations. Tey're tailoring it to the favor of each stop." More than two dozen retail, office, government, and residential development projects within a 10-minute walk of the new transit stations are planned or under way, says Olore, the SunRail project manager. Tis represents about $1.6 billion in public and private investments altogether. Other transit-or iented projects planned or under construction include restaurants, convenience stores and shops. Ofces for professional and medical services are in the mix, while gov- ernmental facilities include churches, schools as well as county, city, state and federal buildings. Te Florida Hospital rail station is one of 12 stations planned for the frst phase of the rail line, which has spurred a $250 million investment in a 176-acre Health Village at the hospital. This will enable thousands of medical researchers, hospital employees, patients and their families to take transit to work or when seeking medical care, according to FDOT. "Florida Hospital paid for their station," says Olore. "They are going to be ofsetting costs to buy monthly rail passes for their employees." Another private sector partner is the NBA basketball team Orlando Magic, which plans to move their headquarters downtown next to the Church Street station. "We are also working with them to possibly provide passes for their employees," Olore says. These private sector partnerships were developed through a combination of FDOT working with its local funding partners, she says. "People talk about public-private partnerships. [SunRail] is truly one of those because the private enterprises stepped up to fund and push it through our various requirements and approvals that we needed to get," Olore says. "Our local partners stepped up in terms of 25% as well as operating it in year eight and beyond and paying for the operation. I couldn't say it was any one agency or private entity; it was a combination of everyone working together. " metro-magazine.com