SunRail's DeLand Station groundbreaking Monday. How commuter rail, Brightline are growing
It's not just flowers budding this spring — new life is blooming for SunRail, a commuter rail, and Brightline, an intercity rail.
The Florida Department of Transportation is scheduled to break ground Monday morning on the DeLand Station of SunRail, expanding the rail's footprint in West Volusia.
Just a month ago, the Orlando Brightline station at Orlando International Airport was unveiled. Brightline will run from Orlando to Miami, and officials hope to open the line ahead of Labor Day weekend.
Plan for DeLand Station groundbreaking
Those planning on attending the groundbreaking event should wear comfortable shoes and meet at the DeBary Station, 630 S. Charles Richard Beall Blvd., by 9 a.m. Monday to board the 9:15 a.m. train, Cindi Lane, a spokeswoman with FDOT, said.
As parking at the future DeLand Station site, 2491 Old New York Ave., is currently very limited, the group will ride SunRail from DeBary to DeLand, Lane said.
The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m., and attendees will be able to ride back to DeBary afterward at 10:45 a.m.
Speakers include:
FDOT Secretary Jared W. Perdue, P.E.
FDOT District Five Secretary John E. Tyler, P.E.
Volusia County Council Chair Jeff Brower
DeLand Mayor Chris Cloudman
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What is the Central Florida Sunshine Corridor?
The concept for the Sunshine Corridor was announced in May 2022 as a joint venture between SunRail, Brightline and local businesses.
The goal is to ultimately align the rails as the Sunshine Corridor, connecting Miami, Orlando and Tampa.
The corridor will start at the Orlando Brightline Station at the Orlando International Airport Intermodal Terminal, 10705 Jeff Fuqua Blvd., and run south to join the Orlando Utilities Commission rail spur that runs to SunRail's main line. Eventually, a transfer station will be built to connect with SunRail's existing service.
The Sunshine Corridor will continue west in Orlando with a new rail line along Taft-Vineland Road and State Road 528 with a station near the Orange County Convention Center that will also serve Universal Orlando's future Epic Universe theme park and the International Drive tourist corridor.
SunRail vs Brightline: Where are the train stations?
SunRail, which began service nine years ago, has 16 stations between Volusia and Osceola County.
DeBary, 630 S. Charles R. Beall Blvd.
Sanford, 2720 W. State Road 46
Lake Mary, 2200 W. Lake Mary Blvd.
Longwood, 149 E. Church Ave.
Altamonte Springs, 2741 S. Ronald Reagan Blvd.
Maitland, 801 N. Orlando Ave.
Winter Park, Amtrak, 148 W. Morse Blvd.
AdventHealth, 500 E. Rollins St., Orlando
Lynx Central, 101 W. Livingston St., Orlando
Orlando Health, Amtrak, 250 Columbia St., Orlando
Sand Lake Road, 8030 S. Orange Ave., Orlando
Meadow Woods, 120 Fairway Woods Blvd., Orlando
Tupperware, 3205 Orange Ave., Kissimmee
Kissimmee, Amtrak, 320 Pleasant St.
Poinciana, 5025 S. Rail Ave., Kissimmee
Brightline began service between West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale in 2018. Since then, the high-speed rail has opened stations in Miami, Aventura and Boca Raton.
MiamiCentral Station, 600 NW 1st Ave.
Aventura Station, 19796 W. Dixie Highway, Miami
Fort Lauderdale Station, 101 NW 2nd Ave.
Boca Raton Station, 101 NW 4th St.
West Palm Beach Station, 501 Evernia St.
Tickets to ride
The cost of riding SunRail or Brightline will vary depending on the distance of travel and whether it's a one-way or round-trip ticket.
SunRail also offers weekly, monthly and annual passes.
A one-way SunRail ticket, without any fare discounts, ranges from $2 to $5; a round-trip ticket without discounts ranges from $3.75 to $9.50.
Brightline tickets have a greater range in price. The rail also offers premium tickets, which cost more but include, in addition to WiFi, power outlet access and parking, complimentary snacks and beverages, lounge seats, priority boarding, extra seat space and complimentary rideshare service to and from the station within at 5-mile radius.
A one-way ticket from Miami to Aventura, the shortest Brightline trip, can range in price from $6.50 for a Smart Saver fare to $39 for a premium seat.
A one-way ticket from Miami to Orlando starts at $79; a premium seat costs $149.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: SunRail expanding to DeLand; Brightline growing in Central Florida area
