Excitement built for months as our region prepared for its first commuter rail service, and the opening showed just how big SunRail’s fan club is. There was a day of celebration and speeches on April 30 as the train made its inaugural ride with elected officials and other dignitaries, ending in a giant event at…
April 23, 2014
May 1 Will Kick Off Two Weeks of Free SunRail Service in Central Florida
SunRail, the region’s commuter rail service is innovative, comfortable and FREE for the first two weeks of service, beginning on May 1. As Central Floridians check out our newest mode of transportation, they’ll also get unlimited free rides through May 16. SunRail ambassadors will be at stations and on the trains to answer questions during…
We were delighted with the participation for our April 1 MetroPlanLIVE! interactive town hall event. The hour-long presentation and public forum on our Year 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan drew as many as 400 people via phone and webcast. Participants submitted about 60 questions for our panel, leading to a lively give and take about…
March 4, 2014
Central Florida Clean Air Team Seeks Entries for the 2014 Clean Air Award
Nominate an organization you think contributes to better air quality for the 2014 Clean Air Award. Each year in May, a business or organization receives the Clean Air Award to coincide with Clean Air Month. Judging is based on innovation and uniqueness, direct or indirect effort to reduce emissions, providing a model for others to…
February 6, 2014
2013 Annual Report Highlights How Residents Get Where They Need to Go
MetroPlan Orlando’s Annual Report highlights our focus on providing options for moving people to their destinations. Titled Getting There, the report signals the transformations about to come in Central Florida transportation. While the car has historically been the main mode of travel in our region, it’s important to offer additonal options — rail, bus, bicycle…
January 31, 2014
Transportation Secretary Foxx Leads Roundtable at MetroPlan Orlando
U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx met with about 30 local leaders at MetroPlan Orlando offices as part of a visit to Central Florida. The Secretary told the elected and civic officials: “First-class jobs gravitate to first-class infrastructure.” He said Central Florida’s regional cooperation is having an “amazing impact” on transportation and economic development in the…
December 13, 2013
MetroPlan Orlando Board Elects Its Slate of Officers to Serve During 2014
The MetroPlan Orlando Board recently elected new officers to lead the transportation planning organization during 2014. Seminole County Commissioner Bob Dallari will serve as MetroPlan Orlando Board Chairman, overseeing activities for the 19-member board. Dallari, who first joined the board in December 2008, will announce board priorities at the first meeting in 2014 on February…
October 11, 2013
MetroPlan Orlando Board Approves Bus Rapid Transit on U.S. 192
After more than a year of study, LYNX has recommended an alternative for relieving congestion and improving transit along U.S. 192 between downtown Kissimmee and U.S. 27. The MetroPlan Orlando Board approved the alternative at its October 9 board meeting. The alternative includes dedicated lanes for fast bus service along the corridor, which is currently…
August 8, 2013
Value Pricing Study Explores Ways to Improve the Region’s Traffic Flow
Busy Central Floridians spend more than a normal work week each year stuck in traffic, says the Texas Transportation Institute’s Urban Mobility Report. Orlando is tied for 13th most congested metro area in the country, and it’s getting worse. We expect more than 1 million additional residents by the year 2040. As we grow, commute…
July 10, 2013
Board Approves $5.9B, 40-year Funding Plan for I-4 Ultimate Project
Regional transportation board’s approval of public-private partnership plan allows FDOT to build the project 20 years sooner than through traditional funding streams. At today’s meeting, the MetroPlan Orlando board approved the Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) funding plan for the I-4 Ultimate Project. The project will be built through a 40-year public-private partnership and will…