Florida’s travel scene gets a turbo boost with Brightline bullet trains
Photo from Brightline/Twitter
Dreading of that long travel to reach your destination? Floridians, your travel time can now be reduced to almost half of your average commute time as the Brightline bullet trains are set to gear up in the Sunshine State.
We get it that you have places to be and things to do. Well, say goodbye to endless hours on the road as these sleeker and faster trains can reduce your travel from Miami to Orlando down to only 3 hours and 30 minutes.
Although Amtrak still operates and currently have two train trips daily between Miami and Orlando, with price ranging from $39-$49, taking this trip usually takes up to six hours and nineteen minutes.
With the faster Brightline bullet trains arriving in Florida, the cost is up to par at $6 billion, considering how it can zoom at over 125 mph, making them the fastest train outside the Northeast Acela corridor.
Amtrak poised to lose monopoly as Brightline bullet trains set to roll in Florida https://t.co/1QOIoYB3yn pic.twitter.com/j3cKfLbK9S
— New York Post (@nypost) September 1, 2023
Luxury and amenities galore
Brightline bullet trains promise luxury on the move. From their more spacious legroom to plush leather seats, you’re about to experience better commute days. Aside from these, the train also offers designated spots for your bike, a cozy resting place for your mobile devices, and jacket hooks.
Did we mention free Wi-Fi and charging ports? And the bathrooms? Not to exaggerate as avant-garde, but they are all clean and hands-free, as shared by Fast Company.
The high-speed joyride price starts at $79 for a standard ticket. You can also choose to go all out on their first-class at $149.
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Brightline’s journey
Brightline bullet train isn’t an overnight success. They’ve been on the rail for five years and first started connecting West Palm Beach and Miami through a privately funded passenger rail venture.
Brightline to relocate 66 workers from West Palm Beach as launch date approaches for South Florida-Orlando service https://t.co/PFeFaYxGnR pic.twitter.com/yn3vDho5JF
— South Florida Sun Sentinel (@SunSentinel) September 5, 2023
Furthermore, Brightline is planning to connect Orlando and Tampa so more Floridians can enjoy the high-speed travel across the state. Their vision even extends outside Florida.
Wes Edens, co-founder of Fortress Investment Group (the brains behind Brightline), envisions Florida’s intercity expansion as a blueprint for rail-building the West, as he told The Washington Post.
Floridians aren’t the only ones benefiting from this venture. A $12 billion rail construction, the Brightline West project will also connect Los Angeles and Las Vegas beginning later this year. Thanks to the infrastructure deal that Biden signed in 2021 with $89.9 billion going to improving transit.
“Florida is Version 1.0, and we think it’s a great 1.0. Version 2.0, the high-speed rail from Vegas to L.A., we think is the real embodiment of what high-speed rail can and should look like,” Eden shared.
Travelers and commuters alike will experience the speed of almost 200 mph, making the trip from Sin City to Rancho Cucamonga just in two hours and ten minutes.
Might be delayed, but still worth the wait
While Floridians are all excited to get aboard the Brightline bullet trains that were supposed to launch last September 1, Brightline is hitting the brakes and delaying their launch until after September 21.
But fret not, because if you’ve already bought the tickets, they’re willing to refund and give premium credits. Also, they are working hard to kickstart the Orlando station and will announce confirmed dates.
In a nutshell, Brightline bullet trains are set to redefine the daily commute and travel in Florida. Your journey on this promising mode of transportation awaits, all aboard Floridians!
