ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission is meeting Thursday to discuss ways it can work with local municipalities to make up for state SunRail funding that ended in December of 2024.

Since Sunrail started service 11 years ago, 2025 was the first year that local municipalities took over the funding. Looking ahead, the CFCRC board, which consists of local city commissioners and representatives, will discuss future funding options and look at examples from other cities that have done something similar.  

What You Need To Know

The completion date for the Operations Phasing Agreement by CFCRC is set for Dec. 31, 2025

The Florida Department of Transportation ended funding for SunRail on Dec. 31, 2024

After losing an estimated $65 million in funding, local county and city government partners will need to subsidize the cost

The CFCRC board includes jurisdiction for Osceola, Orange, Volusia, Seminole, and the city of Orlando. 

An open work session meeting is set for Thursday, Dec. 24, at 1:30 p.m. at the LYNX Central Station Administration Building in Orlando. 

CFCRC hired law firm Kaplan Kirsch to present plans to address Federal Transit Administration concerns and review the Operation Phasing Agreement. They will also look at what it would mean if SunRail became an FTA direct recipient, which would allow SunRail to apply for grants and other funding that could be used for planning and capital projects, including preventative maintenance. 

However, the board will discuss the pros and cons of that option at Thursday’s meeting. The process for SunRail to become an FTA recipient could take 6 months, officials said. 

The city of Orlando also set aside $100 million in November to support SunRail. 

The SunRail system currently operates over 61 miles, with 17 stations throughout Volusia, Seminole, Orange, and Osceola counties. 

The CFCRC confirmed its plans for projects like the Sunshine Corridor plan, which will expand SunRail to Orlando International Airport, the Orange County Convention Center, and Disney Springs, are still active.