Saturday, June 2, 2018

We're getting Osceola SunRail, but still no weekend trains

Wow, earlier this week we heard from some pissed-off would-be SunRail riders.

They were disappointed to learn that even after SunRail begins serving the southern extension into Osceola County, it still won’t be running trains on weekends.

Don’t just complain. Do something about it.

The first thing you can do is click here to add your name to the petition to extend SunRail to Orlando International Airport. Once SunRail connects with the airport it will have to go full-service – weekends and late-night.

The second and most important thing you can do is demand our elected officials provide SunRail, Lynx, and Votran the money those transit systems need to offer the service our communities deserve and need.

The reason SunRail doesn’t run on weekends is politics. It’s just that simple.

Politicians decided not to provide the money to provide the weekend train service that all of us want. Politicians didn’t provide SunRail with an adequate budget to operate the train on the weekends.

The fare box only provides about 30 percent of the money required to run public transit. Almost every public transit system in the world depends on government subsidies.

Though many politicians act as though they’re big bosses; they work for us. Right now, they want something from you.

They want your vote. Make them earn it.

People running for County Commission, State House, the State Senate, the U.S. Senate, and governor are holding candidate nights, calling you on the phone and kissing babies to get your vote.

Ask them what’s their plan to address the region’s awful traffic congestion. Force them to discuss their transportation plans. Don’t vote for them if their plans don’t make sense and if they don’t promise to include more money to support public transit.

Then tell them you want them to increase the funding so SunRail will be able to run weekends, and Lynx and Votran will have the money they need to improve the bus system.

Don’t just complain on Facebook. Let’s do something about it.



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