President Joe Biden’s preferred method of transportation, Amtrak, is set to face competition in certain regions of the country. Brightline, the only privately owned train company in the nation, will soon introduce high-speed service from Miami to Orlando. This new service will significantly reduce travel time, cutting the commute nearly in half to 3 hours and 30 minutes. The Brightline Florida link, which cost $6 billion to construct, will reach speeds of over 125 mph in certain areas, making it the fastest train outside of the Acela-service Northeast corridor. The rail link spans 170 miles and will operate 16 daily round trips between downtown Miami and Orlando International Airport beginning later this year. Ticket prices range from $79 to $149 for first-class seats.
Currently, Amtrak offers two daily train trips between Miami and Orlando, with prices ranging from $39 to $49, taking approximately six hours and 19 minutes. However, a faster Amtrak Silver Service train can complete the trip in just over five hours. An Amtrak representative disputes the notion that the federally-run corporation holds a monopoly on intercity passenger rail in the US, citing the existence of other private companies and commuter railroads.
Brightline, a privately owned train service, initially launched a 67-mile Miami-to-West Palm Beach route five years ago. It was the first privately funded passenger rail project in the US in over a century. The company also plans to connect Orlando with Tampa in the future. Brightline is owned by Fortress Investment Group, a private equity firm co-founded by billionaire Wes Edens and Randal Nardone. Edens envisions Florida’s intercity expansion as a blueprint for the company’s ambitions to replicate similar rail-building projects out West. Construction for a high-speed train route connecting Los Angeles and Las Vegas is set to commence later this year, following regulatory approval and federal funding allocation.
The all-electric bullet train will travel at speeds of nearly 200 mph along the 218-mile route, completing the journey from Las Vegas to Rancho Cucamonga in two hours and 10 minutes. On the Miami-Orlando route, the all-electric rail will reach speeds of up to 125 mph. Expected to begin operations in late 2027 or early 2028, the route will include stops at Hesperia and Victor Valley, California.
Brightline’s Florida service has faced challenges, with 88 reported deaths resulting from collisions with its trains since 2017. However, investigations have determined that the deaths were due to suicides or pedestrians and drivers violating traffic laws. Brightline has implemented safety measures such as infrared detectors and increased fencing and landscaping to prevent access to the tracks.
In conclusion, Brightline’s high-speed rail services are poised to disrupt Amtrak’s monopoly on certain intercity routes. With expansions planned in Florida and future projects in the works, Brightline is set to revolutionize passenger rail in the US.
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