Changing of the guard at SunRail

SunRail CEO Nicola Liquori was just appointed the new executive director of the Florida Turnpike Enterprise.

That’s a big win for the Florida Turnpike, but a major loss for SunRail.

Ms. Liquori took the helm at SunRail three summers ago. Before becoming the SunRail CEO, Ms. Liquori was the Chief Financial Officer for the Florida Turnpike Enterprise.

You probably read elsewhere that the Florida Turnpike Enterprise has been a disaster zone since last year when the state was supposed to be updating the high-tech SunPass toll system. That changeover collapsed into a financial and accounting calamity that still has not been resolved.

Though we hate to see Ms. Liquori leave, she’s an excellent choice to sort out the mess at the Florida Turnpike.

At SunRail Ms. Liquori – a certified public accountant -- was a decisive problem-solver.

A few of her SunRail accomplishments include:

·        Managing SunRail’s southern expansion into Osceola County, which doubled SunRail’s daily ridership.

·        Launching the text-messaging system to alert riders when there are service interruptions. Before Ms. Liquori came aboard the text-alert system was debated for nearly a year. Riders wanted the system, while some consultants said it wasn’t needed.

·        Introduction of the SunRail app. This is another amenity requested by riders.

·        Despite budget limitations, she found ways to occasionally offer trains to support some events in downtown Orlando. The SunRail schedule – especially the lack of weekend service -- remains a major disappointment for many people. Despite that, Ms. Liquori always demonstrated a willingness to look for ways to improve the schedule.

·        Managed the installation of the federally mandated Positive Train Control safety system. The system, which is designed to help prevent trains from running into each other, or de-railing due to high speeds, is expected to be fully operational on the SunRail tracks that run from DeLand to Poinciana. This system also helps protect the Amtrak and freight trains that use the SunRail tracks.

Since its launch in 2014, SunRail has operated under the leadership of FDOT, with Bombardier Transportation, running the trains. The state has been paying most of the operating costs. But in the summer of 2021, the financial responsibility for SunRail will be passed to the local funding partners that include: Orlando, Orange, Seminole, Osceola and Volusia counties.

Consultants are working on plans for that management transition.

Now that Ms. Liquori has left SunRail, the operation will be led by the Florida Department of Transportation District 5 Secretary Mike Shannon.