Remember the first time we rode SunRail?
Everybody said: “Wow, it will be great to take this train
to go to the Winter Park Art Festival!”
That’s when we got the bad news that SunRail doesn’t run on
weekends. (We still need to get that fixed.)
What makes it even better – we can ride for free!
This will be the first time SunRail will run for an entire
weekend. Earlier this month SunRail ran on Sunday, March 8, to support games
played by the Orlando City Soccer Club and the Orlando Magic in downtown
Orlando. Much has been said and written about that historic special operation –
which we declared a complete success.
Yet some riders and would-be riders complained. They said
they had to wait too long and that the trains were too crowded.
We don’t work for SunRail, and sometimes we don’t see eye
to eye with the train system’s managers, but folks, get a grip. On March 8 SunRail
transported nearly 10,000 people in less than a 12-hour period. And it was done
safely.
During normal weekday operations – which span almost 18
hours – SunRail transports about 3,600 people. Let’s not forget, SunRail
doesn’t have unlimited resources – personnel and equipment. Federal safety
rules limit the number of hours train crews can work. SunRail also shares the
tracks and two stations during the day with long-distance Amtrak trains.
In our opinion, SunRail did a fantastic job on March 8 and
we’re looking forward to more on the same during the Winter Park Sidewalk Art
Festival. Though you’ll likely experience some crowding when you ride SunRail
to the art festival you won’t have to worry about fighting traffic on I-4, US
17-92 and Fairbanks, or paying $10 or $15 to park
This year you can park your car for free at outlying SunRail
stations at Sand Lake Road, Maitland, Altamonte Springs, Longwood, Lake Mary,
Sanford and DeBary and get off SunRail in the heart of Winter Park – steps from
the art festival.
But remember, you’re not going to be alone. In addition to
folks heading to the art festival we expect riders headed to other destinations
will be riding this coming Saturday and Sunday.
No doubt trains will be so crowded they may be unable to
pick up additional riders at some stations. That happened on March 8 and it
infuriated many people, but the SunRail bosses added relief trains to pick up
the overflow. SunRail operations also did a great job of reassuring everyone
that relief trains were on the way.
Just as we did before the March 8 special operation, we
urge riders to be patient. It will be crowded and you may have to wait a little
bit, but SunRail will get you to and from Winter Park.
For this upcoming weekend we encourage riders to exercise personal
responsibility because the trains will not run all day and until late at night
– as they do during normal weekday operations.
Pay close attention to the accompanying schedule
because on both Saturday and Sunday the last northbound SunRail train is
scheduled to leave Winter Park at 4:41 p.m.; the last southbound train departs
Winter Park at 3:36 p.m.
Miss those trains, and you’re on your own. (And take the
time to figure out if you need a northbound or southbound train to return to
the station where you parked your car.)
See you on The Rail.
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