SunRail will be offering some free rides on the commuter train system to celebrate the launch of service on the railroad’s new southern leg at the end of this month.
The operative word is SOME.
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| Opening day crowds in 2014 |
When SunRail launched service on its first leg in 2014 the railroad offered free rides to all comers for the first couple of weeks.
Nice idea, but the situation nearly spun out of control. Trains were packed with joyriders who treated SunRail as though it was a new attraction at Universal or Disney.
It was difficult to keep the trains on schedule. You couldn’t find a seat unless you boarded at the beginning or the end of the line -- in DeBary or Sand Lake Road. SunRail had to add trains to ease the strain on the system.
Clearly, SunRail management wants to avoid repeating those headaches with the plan they have introduced to offer some free rides to people boarding at the new stations – Meadow Woods, Tupperware/Osceola Parkway, downtown Kissimmee, and Poinciana.
According to a press release from the Florida Department of Transportation that runs SunRail: “SunRail is offering a “First 50 Free” promotion to riders whose trip originates at any of the four new southern stations starting Monday, July 30, and running through Friday, August 17.
“The promotion is easy. Simply check-in at the designated ‘First 50 Free’ promotional gate at either the Poinciana, Kissimmee, Tupperware or Meadow Woods stations, and if you’re one of the first 50 riders for each train, your roundtrip is free. Tickets may still be purchased for any train, but if you want to secure your free SunRail roundtrip offer, make sure you arrive early.”
No doubt some will complain that FDOT is being stingy because it isn’t offering free rides to everyone who boards at the new stations.
Realistically, though, it would be irresponsible to offer unlimited free rides from the new stations. Folks riding the train for free could make it impossible for fare-paying riders at existing stations to board the train.
Given that the “First 50 Free” promotion will be held for three weeks there’s a reasonable opportunity for thousands to get a chance to ride for free.
Service on the new southern leg begins July 30. The southern extension required SunRail to introduce a new schedule that you can review by clicking here.
See you on The Rail!
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