SunRail was AWOL at the big transportation meeting

During Orange County’s standing-room-only transportation public meeting on Wednesday night, SunRail was AWOL.

Think about that for a moment.

There are only 2 public transportation providers in Central Florida – Lynx and SunRail.

The Lynx acting CEO participated in the meeting and gave an extensive briefing on the bus system’s strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities.

As we reported earlier, SunRail CEO Nicola Liquori has moved to another position and we wish her well.

But what’s up with Mike Shannon, the Florida Department of Transportation District Secretary who declared he would assume the role of running SunRail?

In addition to SunRail, Mr. Shannon is responsible for overseeing ongoing FDOT projects and planning in Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Volusia, Flagler, Brevard, Sumter and Marion counties.

If Mr. Shannon is running SunRail, then how come he didn’t participate in the largest transportation meeting held in many years.

The public attending Wednesday’s meeting deserved a deeper understanding of the role SunRail plays in the region’s transportation future.

The SunRail participation was especially required for the public to understand that the responsibility for running SunRail will be transferred from the state to local governments in less than 2 years.

If Ms. Liquori was still running SunRail, we have no doubt she would have participated in the meeting.

Mr. Shannon has too much on his plate to be the hands-on leader of SunRail.

That is why earlier this week we wrote that SunRail needs and deserve a new, full-time CEO.

Mr. Shannon’s miss on Wednesday proved our point.