Brightline is currently creating a train service that will go from Orlando International Airport to Disney Springs.
The plans were delayed last year after some bumps in the road. But, we recently told you about a new proposal that could mean major progress for the development of the train service, and now we have another update!
Last year, the Central Florida Expressway Authority indefinitely delayed a decision bout the route that the Brightline train would take between the Orlando Airport and Tampa, which is the route that would stop at Disney Springs. There were 2 route options and they couldn’t decide which one to use — the one that was significantly cheaper or the one that passed through more tourism-heavy areas, including Universal Orlando Resort.
So, a proposal was made for a new option. The train company SunRail would build a corridor from the Orlando International Airport to their current north-south tracks, move on to the Orange County Convention Center, and then go down south International Drive (which would pass by Disney Springs). SunRail would then allow Brightline to lease the corridor and build their own line of tracks from Disney Springs to Tampa.
This proposal would benefit both Brightline and people who use SunRail — the new route would expand SunRail’s service and cause trains to run more frequently.
Volusia County Council plans to discuss this proposal at their meeting on May 3rd, according to the Orlando Business Journal. This meeting will focus on forming a direction and has the potential for a letter about the proposal to the Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission.
Then, the Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission, which Volusia County has a seat on, will meet on May 5th. According to the Orlando Business Journal, the agenda has not been released for this meeting.
The next steps for the proposal would be to determine the potential costs for the proposed corridor along with grant requirements. Earlier this month, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings wrote in a letter about the potential to get federal grants to assist the project.
The Orange County Commission also approved a penny sales tax increase for transportation improvements recently, which will go before voters in November, according to the Orlando Business Journal. If approved, the penny sales tax increase is projected to generate about $600 million per year that would go toward transit and infrastructure improvements.
Right now, Brightline is getting closer to completing its expansion from South Florida to the Orlando International Airport. They have said that it should be in operation in 2023. The timeline for the route from the airport to Disney Springs, however, has yet to be finalized. So, we still have a long way to go. Stay tuned to All Ears for news and updates on this project.
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Will you take the Brightline train to Disney World once it’s available? Tell us in the comments.
Most certainly not…this is nothing but a plan to run more freight trains as soon as brightline shuts down this joke of a passenger service train..I live in Sebastian and I hope their trains all break down and the idiots behind this bad joke all lose a whole lot of money
I’m glad to hear this. I’ve said for years that there should be a train from about the GA line to Disney. Think how it relieve traffic on I95 and I4. Not to mention the lives it would save.
I am waiting for this I don’t have a car and the plane can be a pain. This will be my way to Disney once it’s ready.
Oh yes def . Bring brightline to tampa from orlando. I can ride to tampa for nfl ,nhl. Mlb game theere than drive . Orlando brightline to daytona beach for daytona 500 ,coke zero race .
Aw….glad that they can accommodate the simpletons that like neanderthal sports and white trash making left turns.
I’m in Miami Florida I can’t wait to take the bullet to Disney looking forward to it