SUN RAIL ALTERNATIVES

Despite the failure of SunRail to gain approval this legislative session central Florida has transportation issues that still need to be addressed. While some seek to revive Sun Rail, I believe there are legitimate concerns about SunRail and alternatives should be considered. Here are the major concerns expressed by citizens:

Sun Rail does not have a dedicated funding source. Once the federal money stops coming in Sun Rail may cost local taxpayers as much as $100 million a year to operate. Because of Save Our Homes that burden will fall on small businesses who are already struggling. Any transit system needs to have a dedicated funding source preferably approved by the voters.

Sun Rail will create more traffic than it alleviates. Sun Rail claims it will have 3200 riders a day, some which already take buses or carpool. The reduction in car traffic will be offset by additional traffic from road closures when the train passes through each community. Time saved on I-4 will be lost getting to and from I-4. Any transit system should be a net gain to commuters in terms of travel time.

Sun Rail is not a convenient route. Most people are not aware of the circuitous route Sun Rail will take. The existing train tracks wind through Seminole and Orange County like a piece of spaghetti. Travel from Deltona to Orlando will take longer by train (with stops) than by car making the system ineffective. Any transit system should see a net gain in travel time by users.

Sun Rail is old technology. The 1970s diesel trains take two miles to start and stop and are not good for the environment. Any transit system should be environmentally friendly and have the latest technology.

Sun Rail will move freight traffic through our community during sleeping hours. Most people think the freight traffic that comes during the day will now go through Lakeland. But freight needs to get to Orlando and that freight will arrive after midnight on whistle blowing trains coming through our neighborhoods. Any transit system should not lower the quality of life for our residents.

Sun Rail has unlimited liability with CSX. Any transit system should avoid additional taxpayer liability for freight traffic.

The key to a viable solution is to address the legitimate concerns of our citizens. The following is an alternate mass transit plan that solves the problems with Sun Rail. Our solution has the name of Mon-O-Rail, because of the design of the system.

Dedicated funding source. The funding for the system and operation will come from a voter approved gas tax in Orange and Seminole County. Not only will this provide the ongoing operational revenue, it will allow the voters a chance to approve the system.

Traffic Reduction. Mon-O-Rail will be a raised system like the Disney monorail that will not require any road crossings. It will have net reduction in traffic.

Convenient route. The initial phase of Mon-O-Rail will travel in the Right of Way from downtown Orlando east on I-4 to Sanford, with stops at Florida Hospital, Maitland office center, and Seminole Town center in Sanford. The direct route will be convenient, quick, and take people to the most common work destinations.

Mon-O-Rail will be the latest technology. Quiet, clean electric trains are far better than rumbling diesel trains.

Mon-O-Rail will not displace any freight traffic into our communities at night.

Mon-O-Rail does not require a liability agreement with CSX and will not require a $660 million payment to CSX for use of the existing freight lines.

Along with the Mon-O-rail system the dedicated funding source can and will be used for right of way acquisition along I-4 and to reduce the bottlenecks that create traffic congestion.

The reason Sun Rail was proposed was because it was quick and easy solution. The better solution is usually a little more difficult, but we will live with the system for decades. I suggest that a citizen committee be formed to explore the benefits of this alternative transportation solution.

There are other mass transit solutions as well. They include bus rapid transit systems and incentives to carpool. Now is the time to step back and accept the commuter rail plan had major faults and study the problem anew.

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