By Jim Carchidi
September 21, 2026
Efforts to upgrade public transportation throughout Orange County could reach a milestone this month. The Sunshine Transit Advancement Resolution (STAR) details the funding and creation of transit routes along high volume corridors. The plan has been included for discussion at the Sept. 29 Board of County Commissioners meeting.
Low ranking
Public transportation has been a sore point in the Metro Orlando area that weekday SunRail routes have barely addressed. Traffic congestion and rising gas prices are increasing the need for solutions, but few have come in the wake of the failed 1% Transportation Sales Tax proposal. ConsumerAffairs recently ranked Orlando at #43 on its list of 50 Cities with the Best Public Transit, citing low scores for usefulness and accessibility, affordability, and operational safety.
Image courtesy of ConsumerAffairs.com
Rapid transit revision
Members of the youth-led community group Sunrise Movement Orlando began raising STAR Plan awareness at city and county meetings after the transportation tax rejection. The proposal would establish a countywide framework for rapid transit development and funding in eight transportation corridors:
Image courtesy of Sunrise Movement Orlando
- Colonial Drive
- Semoran Boulevard
- International Drive
- Kirkman Road
- Silver Star Road
- Orange Blossom Trail
- SunRail corridor
- The corridor between Brightline and SunRail (aka Sunshine Corridor)
Routes would be serviced by light rail lines or dedicated bus lanes at 15-minute intervals.
TIF funding proposal
Funding would come from tax increment financing (TIF), which earmarks revenue from future property tax increases for reinvestment back into the community. The method was used in Miami-Dade County’s SMART program for enhancing infrastructure at five rapid transit corridors.
A rendering of a proposed light rail line to service Orlando's Milk District. Image courtesy of Sunrise Movement Orlando
Under the Orange County version, TIF districts would exist within a half-mile of STAR corridors and offer dedicated transit funding for a 25-year period. Revenue would go into a trust fund managed by an independent, citizen-led committee to ensure transparency. The specific transit mode will be decided through studies and community feedback.
What's next
According to the STAR Plan web page, more than 30 elected officials, community leaders, and local organizations have expressed support for the effort. Sunrise Movement Orlando coordinator Giancarlo Rodriguez told The Orlando Real a feasibility study for the plan will go before the Orange County Board of County Commissioners this month. An Orange County representative confirmed the item has been tentatively added to the Sept. 29 meeting schedule.
County meeting agendas are posted a week before the respective meetings. Check orangecountyfl.net for updates.
Sponsor: The Orlando Real is sponsored by the Pozek Group — the #1 real estate team in Orlando and the Official Real Estate Team of the Orlando Magic.
About the Author
Jim Carchidi is an Orlando journalist and photographer with previous work at the Orlando Sentinel and Orlando Business Journal. He covers development, arts, culture, and local stories for The Orlando Real.
Enjoy this blog post? Click here to subscribe for updates
Leave A Comment