Riders willing to pay extra for weekend SunRail

Many SunRail riders are willing to pay more on Saturday and Sunday for weekend train service.

That’s the result of a Facebook poll that SunRailRiders recently conducted.

Ever since SunRail launched five years ago, riders and the general public have been angry and frustrated that SunRail doesn’t provide weekend service.

For the Facebook poll we asked the question: Would you pay an extra $1 on a Saturday or Sunday for weekend SunRail service?

Of the nearly 400 who responded, 93% voted yes.

“I would be happy to get to downtown Sanford on weekends from SoDo without the I-4 nightmare,” John wrote on Facebook.

Many respondents said they would be willing to pay $5 or $10 more on the weekends for service because it was cheaper than taxis and ride-share.

There is a bone of contention, though.

People who have monthly or annual SunCards say it would be unfair to force them to pay more for weekend service.

“Why should I pay an extra dollar to ride on the weekend when I currently have a 30-day (SunRail) pass? I pay monthly and therefore I should not have to pay extra…A SunRail pass shortchanges the user at least 8 days,” Jeff wrote.

Those objecting to a weekend upcharge are right.

People with monthly and annual SunCards are SunRail’s ridership backbone.

They shouldn’t have to pay one penny more.

SunRail service isn’t cheap. An upcharge for those who use the train only on the weekends makes sense to help offset some of the operating costs.

SunRail is at a critical crossroad. In less than two years the Florida Department of Transportation will pass the management and financial responsibility for SunRail to the local funding partners – Orlando, Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties.

We posed the Facebook poll question to make sure that local leaders know what kind of service the community expects and deserves.

Weekend service should be basic.

Many people in Central Florida do not work a traditional Monday to Friday bankers’ hours' schedule. The caregivers at local hospitals, airport workers and those employed in the service industry need a full-time train service, especially on the weekends.

On the few occasions when SunRail offered weekend service, the trains were slammed with passengers.

Weekend service is great for business – especially small businesses, recreation activities, such as theaters, sports venues and cultural activities.

See you on The Rail!