By Railfan & Railroad Staff
On Friday, Brightline will launch high-speed passenger rail service between West Palm Beach and Orlando, connecting two of Florida’s largest metropolitan areas. Since 2018, the privately-owned and operated passenger railroad has provided service between Miami and West Palm Beach, but now the long-awaited Orlando extension is opening.
While the expanded service will follow the newly double-tracked Florida East Coast main line between West Palm Beach and Cocoa, it will be on an entirely new route between Cocoa and Orlando. As part of the extension, Brightline built 48 new bridges and three tunnels on the 170-mile corridor. Trains on the new route will be able to reach speeds of 125 miles per hour.
“Opening Orlando fulfills our ultimate business model. We have seen incredible enthusiasm from the business and tourism industries eager to travel between Central and South Florida,” said Brightline President Patrick Goddard. “As we start service to Orlando for peak holiday seasons, I encourage everyone to check calendars, make plans, visit our website or app and reserve a seat now.”
Brightline is owned by Fortress Investment Group and hopes to eventually expand toward Tampa. Fortress is also developing a “Brightline West” that would connect Las Vegas with the Los Angeles area.
