Planning begins
for commuter rail system
Commuter rail system map
It was only July 31 of this year when the
Volusia County Council unanimously agreed
to participate in a commuter rail system that
will connect Volusia, Seminole, Orange and
Osceola counties. After a few celebrations,
advocates from all four counties have rolled up
their sleeves and started the heavy lifting
required to make commuter rail a reality in
Central Florida.
The board that will oversee the system
met soon after Volusia County opted in.
“This is a milestone in the history of
Volusia County and of our neighboring
counties,” said Volusia County Chair Frank Bruno,
who is a member of the Central Florida Commuter
Rail Commission. “The system will be a great
service for our residents and visitors and will be a
valuable asset to Central Florida’s High Tech
Corridor. It is gratifying that everyone who sits on
the commission comes to the table with the backing
of their colleagues. This is essential as we pursue
our vision of commuter rail service for the region.”
Each of the local governments recorded
unanimous votes of their commissions, according to
the Florida Department of Transportation. The
interlocal governance agreement establishing the
creation of the Central Florida Commuter Rail
Transportation Commission has been signed and
recorded in all the county courthouses.
According to FDOT officials, the unanimous
support demonstrates local governments’
recognition of the importance of a regional
approach to transportation issues and made a big
impression among leaders in Washington, D.C. U.S.
Congressman John Mica secured millions of dollars
for the project and has been a strong advocate for it.
The rail
commission is chaired by Orlando
Mayor Buddy Dyer, with Orange County Mayor
Richard Crotty serving as vice chairman. Seminole
County Chairman Carlton Henley and Osceola
County Commissioner Bill Lane also serve, with
Henley having been named secretary. The
leadership positions rotate annually and Bruno is in
line to chair the commission in 2011. The
commission also has established committees to deal with technical
aspects of the system
and customer service issues. A key factor will be educating
residents, visitors and the
business community on the benefits of commuter rail.
It is anticipated that when the system is fully
operational the need to widen Interstate 4 and
other roads will ease. Thousands of Volusia
County residents commute to work in the
Orlando area, most traveling in their own cars.
Volusia County Council member Pat Northey,
whose district includes many of these
commuters, recognizes the importance of
commuter rail.
“Southwest Volusia County is an important
part of the growing Central Florida region and as
its influence grows, so does the importance of the
commuter rail,” Northey said.
The commission has adopted a complex
operating agreement outlining the
responsibilities of the state to build and operate
the system. The duties of the commission will be
advisory to the Florida Department of
Transportation for the first seven years of system
operation and will include assisting FDOT with
policy direction as the department moves
forward with system planning, design,
construction, and implementation. The
commission voted to establish a Technical
Advisory Committee (TAC) to provide technical
assistance. Members will include staff appointees
from FDOT, each local government partner, each
municipality with a station, Votran, Lynx,
Metroplan Orlando, and the Volusia County
Metropolitan Planning Organization.
After the first seven years of operation,
FDOT will turn the system over to the
commission as the governing board, scheduled
for 2017. It is expected the trains will be running
between DeBary and Orlando by 2010. By 2013,
expansions of the system will include DeLand on
the north end and Kissimmee on the south. The
system will cover 61 miles.
The cost of creating the system is expected
to be $600 million, with the state and federal
government picking up half the tab and member
counties funding the other half. Volusia County’s
commitment toward construction and operating
costs is $142.7 million over the next 30 years.
“It is our job to deal with the issues of the day and to anticipates
the needs of
tomorrow,” Bruno said of the commuter rail project. “We are making
an investment in the
future of Volusia County.”
