Brightline Florida

Issue in Brief

Brightline Florida: A Model for Intercity Regional Rail

Brightline recently launched a new corridor linking Orlando and Miami with the fastest American trains outside the Northeast. The trains, with a 125-mph top speed, have already shown that Americans will ride fast, frequent, and reliable trains.

Key Takeaways

  • Brightline planned for success with hourly service from the start.
  • The shared-use section along the coast offers a new model for freight and passenger railroads to work together.
  • The new-construction east-west section was made possible by Florida’s offical high-speed rail plan.

Replicating the Success

The Brightline is a unique business model combining real estate development, jointly-owned railroads, and an existing state high-speed rail plan.  Congress will have to create a new federal rail program to gain similar success nationwide.

Quick Links

Impressions of a Brightline trip

Our executive director rode Brightline shortly after service began.

Brightline West

Brightline West seeks to build the nation’s first 186-mph high-speed line

Take Action

Tell Congress that you want more trains like Brightline.

Need Help with a Brightline trip?

Here is a link to Brightline’s help center, in case you came here hoping to find details on a Brightline trip.

The Brightline Experience

Hourly departures, great trains, and well-located stations are the keys to Brightline’s success.

A woman is looking at the departures board at a Brightline station. it shows hourly departures.

Hourly Departures

People travel for many different reasons, throughout the day. Hourly service gives you the flexibility to travel when you want.

The waiting room of the West Palm Beach, FL Brightline station is very inviting.

Comfortable stations

Stations are clean, bright, and inviting.

There is a bridge plate that extends from Brightline trains to fill the gap between the train and the platform.

Level boarding

Level boarding makes it easier for everyone to get on and off the train.  And, it reduces time spent spent in the station.

The interior of a Brightline coach

Comfortable Coaches

Wide aisles, plenty of legroom, and wide windows make the train a pleasure to ride.

Two passengers are sitting at a table on a Brightline train.

Optional Tables

There are several tables available if you are traveling with friends or would like to work.

The interior of a Brightline first-class car.

Premium Class

Premium Class offers wider seats and more legroom.

Brightline to Orlando Airport

Brightline’s main Orlando station is part of Orlando International Airport’s Terminal C.  It offer the most direct connection from an intercity rail line to an airport terminal in the United States. There is an easy connection to Terminals A and B via the elevated people mover system.

This was made possible because Orlando International Airport included the railroad station and track access in its master plan, in concert with a state high-speed rail plan.

A drone shot looking down on the Brightline Orlando station from the north with two trains in the station.

The Brightline station at Orlando Airport is part of Terminal C.

Well-Located Stations

Brightline’s stations are close to the action.  In fact, they are walking distance from the courthouses in both Miami and West Palm Beach.  A sister company has developed multi-use high rises near the stations.

Brightline's West Palm Beach station is shown from above.  A new high-rise is next door.

A new high-rise developed by Brightline’s sister company is located next to the West Palm Beach station.

First and last mile connectivity

With Brightline+ you can request a private ride, shared shuttle, or bike to take you anywhere within a five-mile radius of the station.

The luggage rack on a Brightline coach.
The side of a Brightline coach along the right-of-way.
The bike rack on a Brightline coach.

The Brightline Business Model

Strong partnerships with the host railroad, local governments, and state agencies is critical.

A Phased Approach

Brightline is being built in phases combining a shared-use section along the coast and east-west segments dedicated to passenger trains.

Miami – West Palm Beach

  • 65-mile shared-use line with freight, 79-mph
  • To be shared with Tri-Rail commuter trains.
  • Opened 2018

West Palm Beach – Cocoa

  • 120-mile shared-use line with freight, 110-mph
  • Opened 2023

Cocoa – Orlando International Airport

  • 35-mile dedicated line, 125-mph
  • Opened 2023

Orlando International Airport – Tampa

  • 85-mile proposed dedicated line, 125-mph
  • A portion to be shared with Sun-Rail commuter trains.
  • Still in planning phases

This Brightline map illustrates the three expansion phases of the line.

A Strong Partner with the FEC

Brightline’s success is built on its strong partnership with Florida East Coast Railway, which owns the tracks along the coast.  Brightline invested heavily in new track, new signals, and safer grade crossings.  They also pay the FEC well to use the tracks.

A separate company, owned jointly by both railroads, ensures that both freight and passengers run on time.

A Brightline train is crossing a highway in southern Florida.

Brightline added a second track and improved grade crossings along the entire line.

A Brightline train is shown running alongside Florida route 528 from above

Brightline is located next to Florida Route 528 between Cocoa and Orlando.

State and Local Partners

Brightline was able to take advantage of a state policy setting aside right-of-way alongside some highways for high-speed rail.

Tax-exempt bonds issued through the Florida Development Finance Corporation helped attract billions of dollars in private capital.

Universal Studios and Orange County are creating a stand-alone taxing district to build a station near the Convention Center.

Sunrail (Orlando) and Tri-Rail (Maimi) will use Brightline infrastructure to run local regional trains.

Joint Real Estate Development

Brightline’s sister company owns and is developing real estate near the new stations to capitalize on concentrated travel activity.  This, in turn, feeds more passengers to the railroad.

The biggest example is Miami Central station which was built in conjunction with three high-rise buildings on the site of surface parking lots.

Tell Congress that you want more trains like Brightline!

A for-profit company is making a big bet on a fast, modern intercity rail system. Congress should create a federal program to encourage similar success nationwide.

Take Action