DeLAND, Fla. – A grand opening celebration is planned Friday at the new SunRail station in DeLand just days before service is set to begin, connecting the quaint city to points south, all the way to Poinciana.
Service officially begins Monday, Aug. 12, for SunRail’s DeLand station at 2491 Old New York Ave.
“So much opportunity for people to check out DeLand and enjoy the beautiful city! This is as exciting as it can be,” said Ron Siwica, a Volusia County resident.
The $40 million expansion was years in the making, first approved in 2020, and adds about 12 miles to SunRail’s path.
“This is very exciting. It brings opportunity to explore Central Florida, to look at employment throughout Central Florida with a nice ride on the train on the way to work and not have to worry about I4 traffic or parking when you get there but it also brings people to visit DeLand and see West Volusia,” said Chris Cloudman, Mayor of DeLand.
The DeLand station will serve as SunRail’s northernmost stop, connecting Persimmon Hollow to DeBary, Poinciana, and more than a dozen stations in between along 61 miles of tracks.
[EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos]
News 6 was there as visitors got a free tour of the station last month. We met Jake Jacobs and his wife, Rachel, who live in DeLand and told us they were excited about what the new station could mean for their community.
“They’re going to bring a lot to this small town,” Rachel Jacobs said.
“It’s so nice having another station, because I live on the East side of NSB, and I can just take the tram service from my home to the DeLand station instead of DeBary. Go to Orlando and have myself a time,” said Russell, a Volusia County resident.
SunRail suggested passengers from the south take advantage of Volusia County’s VoRide service, which offers rideshare transport for a flat rate of $2. Bicycle travel was also encouraged, as bicycles are welcome on SunRail trains.
Learn more about SunRail and purchase tickets starting at $2 — with discounts available for seniors, youth, and passengers with disabilities — by clicking here.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: