You'll never believe what happened to #SaturdaySunRail ridership

#SaturdaySunrail was going reasonably well until this past Saturday.

On the first Saturday (Nov. 5^th) the ridership was 3,225.

On the second Saturday (Nov. 12^th) the ridership was 3,452.

It was reasonable to expect that the ridership trend would continue to climb. 

That’s reasonable, but this is SunRail.

This past Saturday (Nov. 19^th) the ridership was 2,100.

What the heck happened?

The #SaturdaySunRail ridership collapse is the result of a communications and operations failure by SunRail and Team SunRail – the public-private partnership bankrolling the occasional Saturday train.

We think most of the blame belongs on the shoulders of Team SunRail because it’s their party.

Ever since #SaturdaySunRail was postponed in October we learned they have difficulty telling the public in advance about which Saturdays the train service would be offered.

People keep asking us why SunRail/Team SunRail can’t post an advance schedule so people can plan ahead. Seems like a reasonable question and expectation.

The FDOT officials who run SunRail said that part of the challenge is that there is certain track maintenance work they must do on the weekends. Then the other complication is that the train is only provided on weekends when Team SunRail wants to provide service.

Still it is possible to coordinate this.

We’ve been finding out only a few days before the train service will be offered on a particular Saturday. That make it difficult to share timely information with prospective riders.

Clearly this is no way to run a railroad.

This past week proved to be a cluster. 

Last Wednesday FDOT officially announced SunRail would be offering train service on Nov. 19 – three days later – to support the Florida Classic collegiate football game at Camping World Stadium.

Communicators at Florida Citrus Sports and the two universities playing in the game didn’t seem to know anything about the train service until SunRailRiders contacted them. We provided them with #SaturdaySunRail information. (We don’t work for FDOT, SunRail or Team SunRail.)

Communicators professionals (which we are when we’re not blogging about SunRail) will tell you there should have been a coordinated communications plan so that all the stakeholders knew what was happening and could share pertinent details with their audiences.

With proper communication the #SaturdaySunRail ridership could have been doubled. Instead last Saturday’s ridership looks like a failure. It’s not. People can’t ride if they don’t what’s going on.

One piece of good news -- if you can call it that -- is that SunRail already announced that it won’t be running this coming Saturday – Nov. 26. That’s a start because people need to know in advance what’s happening.

Hopefully SunRail and Team SunRail will use this time to get their act together.

What's ahead for #SaturdaySunRail

Before you even ask. There will be NO #SaturdaySunRail service, a week from today on Nov. 26.

That’s disappointing, but at least we know early. Remember #SaturdaySunRail service is a privately funded initiative to support large-scale public events on weekends when SunRail doesn’t usually run.

The good news -- as reported first by us-- SunRail is running this Saturday to support the Florida Classic collegiate football showdown between Florida A&M and Bethune Cookman at the Camping World Stadium. This is the biggest football showdown in the Historically Black College and University universe!

Florida Classic fans staying in International Drive hotels can park for free at the Sand Lake Road SunRail and catch the train down to Lynx Central Station in downtown Otlando. Then they just need to walk one block to Orlando Vo-Tech for a bus ride to the stadium.

Folks driving I-4 from Florida’s east coast or from Daytona Beach can get off the highway to park their cars for free or take the train at the DeBary or Sanford SunRail stations.

Even if you’re not planning to attend the Florida Classic this #SaturdaySunRail service is a great deal because there’s so much going on. For example, in Winter Park the popular Winter in The Park ice skating is underway; Festival of the Trees in Lake Mary; the West End Beer Fest in Sanford; Bach Festival Society on Rollins College and the Magic playing the Dallas Mavericks at Amway Center.

Please ride the heck out of #SaturdaySunRail because it makes the case for regularly scheduled weekend SunRail service.

For more information on this week’s #SaturdaySunRail, please click here. To avoid disappointment, please arrive at the station 30 minutes before the train so you have enough time to buy your tickets at the vending machines.

Hopefully SunRail will double check to make sure all of their ticket-vending machines, especially the ones that take cash, are functioning properly.

See you on The Rail.

#SaturdaySunRail is a real winner

We’ll let the #SaturdaySunRail numbers speak for themselves.

Nov. 12 at Church Street

Nov. 5^th – the first time out with #SaturdaySunRail -- there were 3,225 boardings.

On Nov. 12^th – this past Saturday – there were 3,452 boardings. (You do the math.)

Both of those totals are on par, or better than, SunRail’s average daily ridership.

And get this, SunRail scored these ridership wins on Saturdays running in a shorter operating window – 10 to 12 hours – with fewer trains than on weekdays.

In addition, many people didn’t know until the last minute the train was running Saturday. This is because no one will commit to a long-term schedule of Saturday operations.

Still we must take a moment to offer special thanks to SunRail’s new CEO Nicola Liquori who personally supervised these Saturday operations. Her leadership is top notch.

Imagine how many more people would ride #SaturdaySunRail if a regular schedule could be agreed on, and if the train ran every Saturday.

Before we start getting too deep into the “what ifs”, please remember that the #SaturdaySunRail operations are being funded through Team SunRail -- a public-private partnership – to support certain large-scale events in downtown Orlando.

There is no guarantee this public-private partnership will last beyond February 2017.

Therefore, we have launched a petition campaign to ask the SunRail Commission to work with the Central Florida Legislative Delegation to get money from Tallahassee.

The funding is needed for a full-time SunRail that would include weekend service, night service, hourly service on weekdays after the morning rush hour and additional Lynx and Votran bus service to support SunRail.

Please click here to add your name to this very important petition.

Tips for riding #SaturdaySunRail

A couple of things you need to know when riding #SaturdaySunRail.

Riding #SaturdaySunRail is an important investment in the future of SunRail. It makes the case that full-service SunRail – trains 7 days a week and late night – is needed and will be used. Please ride.

Because #SaturdaySunRail is paid for by a public-private partnership to support large-scale events in downtown Orlando, the train schedule changes every time it runs on Saturday.

Last Saturday SunRail ran until 1 a.m. Sunday. This week #SaturdaySunRail will shut down before midnight. Don’t get stranded.

For the schedule, click http://tinyurl.com/gmcacsn

Riders who got left while trying to buy tickets

Pay attention to when the train is scheduled to leave your home station. Make note of when you need to be back at the station to catch the train home.

This is a railroad and it runs on a schedule. If they’re late leaving one station, that will make the train late arriving at other stations. Riders depend on timely arrivals and departures.

For the start of your SunRail trip, please get to the station at least 30 minutes before the departure time so you can buy tickets.

There’s a good chance there will be lines of people buying one-day tickets. SunRail ticket vending machines suck. They are slow and clunky.

Last week we watched the #SaturdaySunRail train leave some people on the platform while they were trying to buy tickets from the janky vending machines. We felt bad for those disappointed would-be riders.

At most stations the train stops for less than 3 minutes to pick up passengers, so don’t wait until the last minute to get off. To speed the boarding process, please let people get off the train before you try to get on.

Just between us, the best seats are on the train’s upper deck. On the lower deck there’s plenty of room for you to bring your bicycle.

For safety sake, please stay behind the yellow line while waiting on the platform.

Last Saturday while waiting in Winter Park a newbie rider asked if SunRail had a dining car. (Come on, don’t laugh.) Not only does SunRail NOT have a dining car, you’re not supposed to eat on the train. However, you can bring a beverage if it’s in a cup with a lid and a straw. It’s all about keeping things clean.

See you on The Rail.

#SaturdaySunRail ridership numbers are in

The numbers are in for the first #SaturdaySunRail service.

Winter Park SunRail on Saturday

FDOT told us Saturday they ran 10 roundtrips and had 3,225 boardings.

Considering all the confusion following the October cancellation, that’s pretty good for a first time at bat.

To put those numbers into perspective, on a regular weekday SunRail runs 18 roundtrips and has about 3,600 boardings.

Last Saturday the SunRail service didn’t begin until 2 p.m.

That means the overwhelming majority of the people on the train were leisure riders. Very few were people headed to work because most weekend workers – hundreds of caregivers at Florida Hospital and Orlando Regional Medical Center – have to be at work early in the morning.

The sporadic Saturday service being funded by Team SunRail – a public-private enterprise – is a good start, but we need and demand real, regular weekend service.

On Tuesday FDOT told us that #SaturdaySunRail will be running to support Come Out With Pride THIS Saturday (Nov. 12) in downtown Orlando's Lake Eola.

Bravo!

#SaturdaySunRail - Here we go again

OK, here we go again.

#SaturdaySunRail is almost here.

Originally the Saturday service was supposed to start Oct. 8, but it got blown away by Hurricane Matthew. It's now scheduled to begin this Saturday (Nov. 5).

Regular SunRailRiders fans know that 2 years ago this blog launched the campaign to extend SunRail service beyond weekday bankers hours.

The train service that starts Saturday is good, but it’s not great. 

The #SaturdaySunRail schedule supports large-scale community and leisure events along the SunRail corridor. What about people who work weekends?

Though #SaturdaySunRail is not perfect, we need to use the hell out of it.

We’re hoping that there will be many new first-time riders Saturday. Here are things they need to know:

Special events crowd at Church Street

Schedule: Pay close attention to the Nov. 5^th schedule (for arrivals and departures) because the Saturday train does not run like the New York subway, or weekday SunRail. 

Want to ride SunRail to Winter Park’s fantastic farmers’ market? Forget it. On Nov.5^th SunRail won’t make its first stop in Winter Park until 2:36 p.m. The farmer’s market closes at 1 p.m.

There is one big plus. The last scheduled northbound SunRail train  departs downtown Orlando after midnight Saturday and completes its run in DeBary at 1:18 a.m. Sunday. Though that late service is not as good as the #LastCallTrain we’ve proposed, it certainly offers some hope for downtown Orlando’s party people.

Tickets: You need a ticket to ride SunRail. There are 4 ticket-vending machines at every station. Only 1 machine accepts cash, so bring your plastic. Get to the station early because the vending transaction can be clunky.

Tap on and Tap Off: Your ticket is not legit until you tap it on one of the yellow ticket validators on the platform before you board the train. The conductor will check. Tap your ticket on the validator when you get off the train. The validators measure ridership. We need those stats to keep SunRail running.

Getting on and off: Don’t wait for the last minute to get off when the train reaches your stop. Please let riders get off the train before you try to board

Schedule: Pay close attention to the schedule for arriving and departing trains. The #SaturdaySunRail schedule may change on a weekly basis.

Safety: Stay behind the yellow line on the platform while waiting for the train. Bicycles and skateboard are welcome on the train, but don’t ride them on the platform.

Bathroom: Go to the bathroom before you leave home because there is NO restroom at the SunRail station. There is one restroom on each train. Public restrooms are expensive to build and maintain.

Train station parking: Free parking is available at most SunRail stations. There is no -- or very limited -- parking at Winter Park, LYNX Central Station, Florida Hospital and Orlando Health.

See you on #SaturdaySunRail.

Don't expect much from #SaturdaySunRail

By now you know that #SaturdaySunRail is scheduled to operate on Nov. 5^th.

Like you, we’re gun shy after the first attempt at #SaturdaySunRail got blown away by Hurricane Matthew on Oct. 8th. Then we learned that there wouldn’t be Saturday service for a month.

Despite the disappointment, we strongly urge all Central Floridians to take advantage SunRail on Nov. 5^th. SunRail’s long-term survival depends on ridership – lots of it.

To avoid the frustration expressed by so many after officials admitted that despite earlier statements SunRail service would NOT be offered on “most Saturdays” we want to set expectations low.

#SaturdaySunRail is funded by Team SunRail – a public-private partnership – not the Florida Department of Transportation which operates the train. The Saturday train is being provided to benefit large-scale events – mostly in downtown Orlando.

The most important advice we can offer riders and would-be riders is pay close attention to the Nov. 5^th schedule (for arrivals and departures) because the Saturday train does not run like the New York subway, or weekday SunRail.

For example, we know people want to ride SunRail to Winter Park’s fantastic farmers’ market. Forget it. On Nov.5^th SunRail won’t make its first stop in Winter Park until 2:36 p.m. The farmer’s market closes at 1 p.m.

Still, it’s not as though Winter Park rolls up the sidewalk after the farmers’ market. We can think of countless things to do Saturday afternoon and evening around Park Avenue. In addition to Winter Park, there are many other places to visit – eat, drink and have fun -- along the SunRail corridor at the Church Street, Florida Hospital, Maitland, Altamonte Springs, Longwood, Lake Mary and Sanford stations.

The schedule could certainly be a lot better, but there is one big plus. The last scheduled northbound SunRail train  departs downtown Orlando after midnight Saturday and completes its run in DeBary at 1:18 a.m. Sunday. Though that late service is not as good as the #LastCallTrain we’ve proposed, it certainly offers some hope for downtown Orlando’s party people.

Let’s make good use of the train on Nov. 5^th, because as of Wednesday afternoon, we don’t know when #SaturdaySunRail will be offered again.

See you on The Rail.

#SaturdaySunRail? Don't count on it

Remember when we were all so excited that SunRail was going to start running trains on Saturdays?

Well, never mind.

The first #SaturdaySunRail was supposed to happen Oct. 8^th, but it was cancelled because Hurricane Matthew came to Florida.

Then Team SunRail – the public-private sponsors of Saturday operations – and FDOT said the next planned #SaturdaySunRail operation won’t be until Nov. 5^th. FDOT explained they are working on critical track maintenance projects on the weekends.

So after Nov. 5^th, when will the next #SaturdaySunRail operation be?

Who knows.

Will there be #SaturdaySunRail for the massive Come Out With Pride festival at Lake Eola on Nov. 12?

Don’t know. FDOT’s not saying, so don’t count on it.

How about #SaturdaySunRail to support the massive Florida Classic FAMU-Bethune Cookman football showdown Nov. 19^th at Camping World Stadium?

Don’t know. Don’t count on it.

So maybe we won’t be seeing you on The Rail.

FDOT's official comment on Saturday's missing SunRail service

Saturday, October 8, 2016 was going to be the kick-off for the select Saturday service. Hurricane Matthew impacted that.

·         At present, the next scheduled running of Saturday service is set for Saturday, November 5, 2016 

·         Service on select Saturdays is based on major venues, availability of staff and equipment, as well as windows of time to allow for track work and construction to occur on the corridor

·         SunRail’s primary responsibility is Monday-Friday commuter rail service. Saturday service cannot adversely impact the staffing that’s needed for Monday-Friday service

·         SunRail is examining bringing on additional staff to meet the needs of running select SunRail service on Saturdays

·         SunRail is working with the Downtown Orlando Partnership to meet the desire for Saturday service, while taking into consideration adequate staffing to meet Monday-Friday needs, as well as the needs for adequate windows of time to perform construction during weekends.

Which Saturdays should SunRail run?

With the exception of Nov. 5^th, the private-public Team SunRail partnership has yet to post a full calendar showing which Saturdays SunRail will run.

So we thought we would help them by making our own #SaturdaySunRail suggestions:

Saturday, Nov. 12. The Come Out With Pride festival – postponed from Oct. 8th – is scheduled to be held at downtown Orlando’s Lake Eola. More than 100,000 people are expected to attend the event that celebrates our LGBTQ community.

Saturday, Nov. 19. The Florida Classic annual football showdown between Florida A&M University and Bethune-Cookman University – two of America’s best known Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The game at downtown Orlando’s Camping World Stadium (formerly known as the Citrus Bowl) and surrounding events draw nearly 100,000 annually.

Saturday, Nov. 26. Small Business Saturday is traditionally held the Saturday after Thanksgiving and it’s intended to spotlight small businesses that are the backbone of the U.S. economy. There are hundreds of small businesses you can reach by getting off at SunRail stations at Sand Lake Road, Church Street, LYNX Central Station, Florida Hospital, Winter Park, Maitland, Altamonte Springs, Longwood, Lake Mary and Sanford. Many small businesses have special offers for customers on Small Business Saturday.

By the way, on Nov. 5^th Camping World Stadium will be hosting the Electric Daisy Music Carnival. Hard for us to describe this event that features music, amusement park rides, costumes and lots of people.

Hope to see you on The Rail.

#SaturdaySunRail disappointment

What a disappointing Saturday!

Like thousand across Central Florida, we were looking forward to the first run of #SaturdaySunRail train on Oct. 8.

However, in anticipation of Hurricane Matthew reaching land, FDOT cancelled SunRail train service on Friday and Saturday.

The cancellation announcement was very disappointing. However, mentioning the word “hurricane” brings back nightmares for many local residents.

We lived through Hurricane Charley in 2004. The widespread devastation that storm caused across Metro Orlando is difficult to describe to anyone who wasn’t here. It took almost a year to clear much of the damage and debris. Today you can still find scars inflicted by Hurricane Charley if you know where to look.

Turns out Hurricane Matthew’s recent visit had far less impact on Central Florida than anticipated. In fact, Saturday’s weather was mild. It would have been a perfect day to run the train.

Yet there was no way for anyone to know in advance how things would turn out on Saturday. We imagine the disappointment was particularly acute for those planning to attend the massive Come Out With Pride Festival last Saturday in downtown Orlando’s Lake Eola. That event has been postponed until a TBD date in November.

SunRail officials and festival organizers made the difficult – yet right decision -- to cancel. Nothing is more important than public safety.

As for SunRail, once you shut down a railroad it takes time to get it up and running again. Workers need to make sure there’s no debris on the tracks; ensure trains and stations haven’t been damaged, and check that railroad signals and crossing gates are functioning properly.

All is not lost. The business and community partnership sponsoring #SaturdaySunRail promise to offer train service on most Saturdays between now and the beginning of February.

The Saturday service is being offered to make it easier for people to reach leisure events downtown Orlando and along the SunRail corridor. You can help sponsor #SaturdaySunRail by clicking here.

#SaturdaySunRail will roll. When it does, we’ll see you on The Rail.

Will SunRail be running for Come Out With Pride?

Will I be able to take SunRail to the Come Out With Pride Festival at Lake Eola?

SunRailRiders has been campaigning for weekend SunRail service for more than 2 years. We’re the guys who launched the petition drive to get weekend train service.

Just this past weekend we got word that a group of local stakeholders was launching an effort to raise private money to pay for weekend SunRail service. They said they hoped to begin service on October.

Come Out With Pride is on Oct. 8. Our sources tell us that the stakeholders plan to have #SaturdaySunRail service started in time for Come Out With Pride. The exact schedule for that Saturday and other Saturdays will be announced this Thursday.

For the latest details follow us at www.SunrailRiders.com, www.Facebook.com/SunRailRiders and www.Twitter.com/SunRailRiders