Brightline’s rollout to Orlando took another step forward early Wednesday as the South Florida-based higher-speed rail line started to sell tickets for travel as early as September along a 170-mile extension between West Palm Beach and Central Florida.
Customers, however, will not immediately know when the trains will start operating on the new route that runs north along the Florida East Coast Railway to Cocoa, then hooks west on a newly constructed rail bed to a station at Orlando International Airport. It’s along that 35-mile segment that Brightline’s test trains in March reached 130 mph. The current top in-service speed has been limited to 79 mph.
“Once we have an opening date, we will make that announcement as well, and then guests can book for the inaugural ride,” said director of media relations Vanessa Alfonso.
Orlando ticket sales are open for trips starting Sept. 1.
Management believes there is significant enthusiasm among members of the traveling public to start sales now for a service expected to start in the latter part of this summer.
“Brightline guests and the travel market have spoken loudly, and we want to respond by opening ticket sales from late summer through the beginning of next year,” Patrick Goddard, president of Brightline, said in a statement distributed to the media Tuesday. “While we are finalizing an official launch date, guests can now book travel for Labor Day, Halloween and holidays through the new year.”
16 daily round-trips
“The service will include 16 daily round trips with hourly departures between Miami and Orlando,” the statement said. “Regular service from Orlando to Miami will stop at all Brightline stations including West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale and Aventura.”
Commuters in South Florida will continue to be served between Miami and West Palm Beach with early morning departures at 5 a.m. from West Palm Beach and late night departures until 12:45 a.m. out of Miami.
According to the statement, Brightline is offering “limited one-way SMART fares starting at $79 for adults and $39 for kids.”
Groups of four or more people can “automatically” save an additional 25% on SMART fares.
The service under the SMART category “offers a comfortable business-class option onboard in hand-stitched leather seats, complimentary Starlink WiFi, multiple power and USB outlets and an array of food and beverages available for purchase.”
One-way PREMIUM fares start at $149, the company said. It constitutes “a first class experience with added amenities” including a dedicated lounge, priority boarding, checked luggage, and complimentary snacks and beverages.
New terminus, new WiFi
The company introduced Starlink aboard its trains earlier this month. The service is a satellite network developed by Elon Musk’s SpaceX to provide low-cost internet to remote locations. Kevin T. McAuliffe, chief technology and digital innovation officer at Brightline, said the company is the first train service in the world to use the Starlink system.
The railroad formally unveiled its Orlando station last month. The 37,350-square-foot terminus is located adjacent to the airport’s Terminal C.
A parking garage offers more than 350 spaces designated for Brightline customers.
Local ground transportation choices at Orlando will include Brightline+ products including shuttles, Uber rideshare and car rentals. When booked, guests will receive confirmation email and instructions on how to add other services closer to their trip dates such as parking, checked baggage and Brightline+ mobility options.
