What is the status of Brightline?

Service to Brightline Orlando Station in partnership with Orlando Health is up and running.



As of 2026, Brightline is the gold standard for private high-speed rail in the United States. Its primary Florida line is fully operational, connecting Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, and Orlando International Airport (MCO). The service has been a massive success, with trains reaching speeds of up to 125 mph on the segment between Cocoa and Orlando. Regarding future expansion, the "Brightline West" project—a separate line connecting Las Vegas to Southern California (Rancho Cucamonga)—is currently under heavy construction with a goal of opening in time for the 2028 Olympics. Back in Florida, plans are advancing for the extension to Tampa, with environmental studies and right-of-way negotiations significantly progressed by 2026. Brightline has also introduced "Brightline+" services, which provide integrated Uber rides or shuttles from the stations to final destinations like Disney World or cruise ports. The company has successfully shifted the "car-centric" culture of Florida, with many commuters and tourists now preferring the "Premium" lounge experience and onboard Wi-Fi over the congested I-95 or Florida's Turnpike.

People Also Ask

BRIGHTLINE ORLANDO TO OFFICIALLY LAUNCH SERVICE SEPTEMBER 22. Book your inaugural ride today! MIAMI (Sept. 13, 2023) – Brightline, the only provider of modern, eco-friendly, intercity rail in America, today announced that service to Orlando International Airport will begin on September 22, 2023.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

Brightline's long-awaited route from Miami to Orlando started Sept. 22, 2023, and the process wasn't without twists and turns. On Friday, Sept. 22, Brightline completed their 11-year plan to run high-speed train service from Miami to Orlando. It's been a long ride to get here.

MORE DETAILS

The 218-mile electric railroad, with top speeds of 186 mph, would if built bring true high speed rail to the U.S. Plans call for the trains to whisk passengers between Vegas and Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., in 2 hours, 10 minutes, which is twice as fast as driving.

MORE DETAILS

Downtown Stations Board Brightline in downtown Miami and it's 60 minutes to downtown West Palm Beach.

MORE DETAILS

Starting today, Brightline+ is now offering guests new bi-directional fixed-route shuttles with available pick ups at Miami International Airport (MIA), Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and three destinations in Miami Beach. Each shuttle will provide transfers to respective Brightline stations.

MORE DETAILS

Florida's high-speed passenger train service suffered the first fatality on its new extension to Orlando on Thursday when a pedestrian was struck in what appears to be a suicide, officials said. Overall, it was Brightline's 99th death since it began operations six years ago.

MORE DETAILS

Brightline, owned by Fortress Investment Group, began running trains between Miami and West Palm Beach in 2018, the first private intercity passenger service to begin U.S. operations in a century.

MORE DETAILS

MIAMI (AP) — The first big test of whether privately owned high-speed passenger train service can prosper in the United States will launch Friday when Florida's Brightline begins running trains between Miami and Orlando, reaching speeds of 125 mph (200 kph).

MORE DETAILS

The $12 billion, electric rail would travel about 218 miles in two hours and 10 minutes and transport up to 11 million passengers a year. There are typically two ways travelers move between Los Angeles and Las Vegas: By car, drivers risk sitting in traffic that can double the four-hour drive time.

MORE DETAILS

The company has plans to extend the line to Tampa. Brightline's Miami-to-Orlando service is quicker than Amtrak's, which takes five to seven hours via two long-distance routes. With the expansion to Orlando, Brightline projects the line eventually will carry 8 million people annually.

MORE DETAILS

Brightline trains have the highest death rate in the U.S., fatally striking 98 people since Miami-West Palm operations began — about one death for every 32,000 miles its trains travel, according to an ongoing Associated Press analysis using data since 2019.

MORE DETAILS

Up to two carry-on items allowed per Guest, restrictions apply. Larger bags may be added to your ticket in advance and checked through to select stations. PREMIUM fares include a complimentary first checked bag, and SMART fares are $25 per bag.

MORE DETAILS

According to Brightline, a future Tampa station is expected to be similar in scope to the West Palm Beach station. The group then continued on to their final stop in Orlando.

MORE DETAILS