As the ownership of SunRail gradually changes from the state to the five local partners, Volusia County may be billed for $6.7 million later this year.
That expense for operating and maintaining the regional train system for Fiscal Year 2025-26 was made available to the Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission March 27 in Orlando. The information came in conjunction with information about the budget for SunRail as the transition of ownership takes place. What happens next?
“Now it goes back to all the county councils, and we have to approve it. I don’t know if our County Council will approve it or not,” County Chair Jeff Brower said.
Brower represents Volusia County on the CFCRC, whose five member jurisdictions — Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia counties and the City of Orlando — are destined to own the transit system.
“Our share right now is $6.7 million. That’s for one year. It will go up every year,” Brower added. “I think we’ve already planned on covering that, if the council approves it, but I don’t know what will happen next year.”
Despite the multimillion-dollar obligation, Brower said he will work to keep his constituents’ property taxes at the rollback rate.
Volusia County has the lowest of the local shares for SunRail. By contrast, the City of Orlando will bear the biggest single share of the local expense, $18.7 million. Yet, Brower noted, his county’s share for SunRail is real for the people he represents.
“But it’s a lot of money for a little county,” he said.
The total SunRail budget for the 2026 fiscal year, as presented to the CFCRC, is almost $109.9 million. The Florida Department of Transportation, which now owns SunRail, will contribute approximately $36.1 million, while the combined total local share for owning and operating the system stands at $73.7 million.
And our share of the cost in Volusia County doesn’t include ridership on the weekends which is in high demand as I am sure it is in Seminole, Orange and Osceola counties as well. When planning the budget, please consider adding ridership on the weekends for all counties mentioned. I am sure the countues would agree to share the additional costs associated since there are many special events, art festivals sporting events, Orlando International Airport riders, concerts at Dr. Phillips, events at the Sanford Zoo, etc. that local folks and their families would attend.
Using the Sunrail on weekends would alleviate traffic on I-4 to attend these events and also would avoid the exorbitant parking fees that many venues charge. It would be a win-win for all. Thank you.
I agree that weekend service should be considered. The world does not operate on a weekday schedule and neither should the SunRail. This is a tremendous asset for our County and opportunities to maximize ridership should be explored.
A new ail should run services on the weekends, it’s a “no brainer”! The county would easily recover the small additional cost of weekend services, get more exposure due to expanded service, get riders from all locations in our county and build new and enhance existing ridership. All of the “ pluses” are a big win for sunrail 👍
Sunrail should run services on the weekends, it’s a “no brainer”! The county would easily recover the small additional cost of weekend services, get more exposure due to expanded service, get riders from all locations in our county and build new and enhance existing ridership. All of the “ pluses” are a big win for sunrail 👍
“Our share right now is $6.7 million. That’s for one year. It will go up every year.” Chairman, VCC
Fact: Ridership is abysmal.
Fact: Counties do not earn money, they tax citizens.
Fact: Counties can only pay for goods and services they tax for.
Fact: SunRail does not get cars off of I-4, it has not been self sufficient, and it’s an unaffordable luxury.
Fact: One way or another, tax payers are going to pay for this ever rising cost.
Property owners will pay. The people least likely to need or want this service.
Volusia County Council. 🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️
You are absolutely correct. Yet the thieves in the government will keep having ribbon cuttings and praising themselves as they tax us out of our homes or flood them and then by then at a discount and rent them back to us. When will people see the government is the worst organization to handle anything like this.
Do you have any data for these facts?
Agreed. What a boondoggle. That and local traffic along the route stays jammed-up am and pm. wtf
I’d really like to see the Sunrail run on weekends. It would be much more useful and I would be able to visit other cities much easier. I’d be happy to pay an increased tax to keep this service running. I often board with trains that are at a comfortably full capacity, and I’m not alone in wanting more services.