Transportation
Seminole County offers residents state-of-the-art transportation

Seminole County is meeting the growing need for modern, safe and efficient transportation, with its state-of-the-art airport and commuter rail coming soon. Located in Sanford with flights across the U.S. and overseas to Europe and South America, Sanford International Airport (SFB) is a convenient way for residents to get around, and at a lower cost thanks to dozens of discount carriers. And thanks to the SunRail system of commuter rail, area residents will have an even more convenient way to get to work and back, with easy to find stations in Lake Mary, Longwood, Altamonte Springs, and Sanford. Truly, Seminole County is on the move in terms of transportation innovation.

Sanford International Airport (SFB)

Situated on approximately 2,000 acres in Sanford, Orlando Sanford International Airport is conveniently located in the northwestern section of Seminole County, 18 miles northeast of Orlando. In 2010, the total number of domestic passengers flying through SFB was 767,057, and the total number of international passengers was 398,378, for a total number of 1,165,435 passengers for the year, making Orlando Sanford one busy airport! Flights are offered to and from 37 cities domestically and 14 cities internationally, along with charter flights to and from Belfast, Northern Ireland; Glasgow, Scotland; and Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands, London-Gatwick, Monarch, Manchester, and Newcastle in England.

It is the mission of the Sanford Airport Authority to operate, maintain, improve, expand and professionally manage the Orlando Sanford Airport for the convenience and benefit of the air traveling public and economic development of the Central Florida community. To that end, SFB provides its customers with convenient, state-of-the-art facilities and excellent highway access to Florida's renowned beaches and all Orlando area attractions. It is run by the Sanford Airport Authority, which is responsible for the operation, maintenance and development of the Orlando Sanford International Airport and the airport's facilities. The airport benefits from a unique blend of local government and private investing, resulting in a very customer focused airport. As such, SFB is operated through a public/private partnership between the Sanford Airport Authority and TBI Airport Management, Inc., which has been contracted by the Sanford Airport Authority to manage both the international and domestic terminals, develop additional air service, and provide ground handling and cargo services.

This year saw the return and total consolidation to SFB of all Allegiant Air's 10 routes that had moved to Orlando International Airport in 2010. In February and March of 2010, Allegiant had moved the 10 routes, or roughly 50 percent of its flight activity, previously operated at SFB, to Orlando International Airport (MCO). In October 2010 Allegiant announced the return of those cities to SFB. The re-launch of these routes from SFB takes the total number of markets served by Allegiant at SFB to 29.

Allegiant had moved flights to and from these 10 cities, publicly stating that the airline needed to go head-to-head with AirTran in several of those markets because AirTran had either recently announced intent to or had already started service with seven cities. The remaining three cities were in close proximity to other AirTran markets.

Also new for this year is scheduled international service to Amsterdam on ArkeFly, which started on June 24, 2011. This low-fare, year-round service is scheduled to fly from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) in The Netherlands nonstop to SFB, marking the first ever non-stop scheduled service between Amsterdam and Orlando Sanford. ArkeFly is part of the World of TUI, whose brand Thomson Airways currently operates year-round between various points in the United Kingdom and Orlando Sanford. At SFB, service to and from Amsterdam will operate twice weekly on Fridays and Mondays using a 3-class, 283-seat Boeing 767-300ER aircraft configured with 31 premium comfort seats, 154 comfort class seats and 98 economy class seats. Non-stop service is scheduled to leave Amsterdam at 9:45 a.m. and arrive at Orlando Sanford at 2 p.m. Flights will depart Orlando Sanford at 3:45 p.m. and arrive in Amsterdam at 9:10 a.m. the next day via one-stop in Miami.

Additionally, Orlando Sanford International Airport introduced service to Brazil on SST Air, starting June 30, 2011. The seasonal service included flights from Orlando Sanford International Airport nonstop to São Paulo, Brazil. Service to Brasilia, Brazil was also offered along with São Paulo through August 1, 2011.

SST Air further intends to operate winter service from December 2011 through February 2012 at Orlando Sanford International Airport. The SST Air service marks the first time regular services to Brazil have been available from Orlando Sanford. Primary ridership using this new service is expected to be Brazilians coming to vacation in Central Florida; however, local residents may also book round-trip travel originating at Orlando Sanford. Round-trip airfare starts at $620, including tax and fees. Flight times vary, but generally depart Orlando Sanford in the afternoon and return the following morning using a 232-seat Boeing 767 flown by Vision Airline based outside Atlanta.

SunRail

New rail transit systems historically have offered communities a host of new growth management opportunities, from creating pedestrian-friendly, transit-oriented housing near station stops to redeveloping struggling commercial and retail areas. SunRail is no different. From DeLand to Poinciana, local communities and local elected officials have a tremendous opportunity to redefine their growth destinies by offering residents a new transportation alternative to the automobile.

"We must provide transportation alternatives," said Ananth Prasad, Florida Department of Transportation secretary. "SunRail is just that. There were many near death experiences for it, but the majority of people are in favor of moving forward. The stakes are very high. We have to make sure we deliver success."

For that reason, on July 1, 2011, Prasad announced that Governor Rick Scott had authorized the department, on behalf of the state of Florida, to sign the pending full funding grant agreement for the SunRail project in Central Florida, a commuter rail transit project that will run along a 61-mile stretch of existing rail freight tracks in Central Florida. The major funding partners for the project are FDOT, the Federal Transit Administration, Orange, Seminole, Volusia and Osceola counties and the city of Orlando. The 31-mile first phase of SunRail will serve 12 stations, linking DeBary to Sand Lake Road in Orlando. Phase II will serve five additional stations, north to DeLand and DeBary, and south to Poinciana. Service is expected to begin in late 2013 or early 2014, with Phase II service beginning in 2015. Currently Phase I station design plans are complete, and Phase I right-of-way is nearly complete. Phase II station surveys and right-of-way acquisition activities are underway, and FDOT representatives are now meeting with locals to finalize Phase II plans.

For commuter comfort and convenience, restroom facilities will be available on all double-decker trains, as will wireless Internet connectivity and luggage and bicycle accommodations. Benefits will include establishing a commuter rail spine to build upon in the future, potential connections throughout the region and state, and a reduction in traffic congestion.

"This is the beginning of a mixed transit system for Central Florida," said John Mica, R-FL for the 7th congressional district, which represents much of western Seminole County. "We're doing it for the whole region. The best is yet to come."

The SunRail system is expected to serve as many commuters as one lane of Interstate 4 during peak travel times. Federal Transit Administration projections show opening day ridership for the 31-mile initial operating segment of SunRail at about 4,300 passenger trips per day, escalating to 7,400 trips by 2030. And for Seminole County and the rest of Central Florida, SunRail construction also means jobs: the potential includes 13,508 new jobs statewide with $1.55 billion in economic benefit, and 245,855 new transit development jobs and nearly $7.1 billion in economic benefit.

"This will put thousands of people to work, and it will take the same amount off the highways. That's great," said Corrine Brown, D-FL for the 3rd congressional district, which includes parts of Seminole County. "This will move the state forward. I am so excited for the people of Central Florida."