Winter Park Unveils New SunRail Station
Monday, March 3, 2014
By: Carmel Delshad

March 3, 2014 | WMFE, Orlando - The City of Winter Park gave a sneak peak of their new SunRail station and train on Monday.

The Winter Park SunRail Station was unveiled to the public during a grand opening ceremony on Monday. Carmel Delshad | WMFE

The station is on Morse Boulevard, and will also serve Amtrak passengers.

Dozens of bystanders got a glimpse of the new commuter train, set to debut on May 1.

Steve Olson of the Florida Department of Transportation says he expects the trains to exceed their goal of roughly 4,300 passenger trips per day.

"This is going to be a shift for folks. I think what they're going to find is that this will be a money saver and a time saver for them," he says.

Visitors got a tour of the facilities – and a sneak peek into the new commuter train.

The double-decker train cars are equipped with on-board restrooms, electric outlets, and come with complementary wi-fi.

Every station along SunRail’s 32-mile route will have a base fare of $2 plus an additional $1 for every county line or zone crossed. 

“Lets say you’re coming from Volusia County and you’re going downtown to Orlando," Olson says. "It’s going to cost you $4 and that’s before discounts one way and then $4 the other way. But if you look at the wear and tear of your car and how much it costs to insure, drive and park downtown, that’s a bargain.”

Phase I of the train will span 32 miles, from DeBary to Sand Lake Road. Phase II, stretching from DeLand to DeBary and Sand Lake Road to Poinciana, is still pending federal funding, but is expected to open in 2016. 

WMFE's Michelle Smith contributed to this report.