A HISTORIC MILESTONE: BRIGHTLINE CONNECTS ORLANDO AND MIAMI

In a momentous occasion, today marks the official launch of Brightline’s passenger rail service connecting Orlando and Miami. The inaugural journey of Bright Pink, the first train, arrived in Orlando at 11:05 a.m., and its arrival was met with much fanfare. More than 500 attendees, including elected officials, business leaders, community partners, and company executives from across the state, gathered to celebrate this historic event. The occasion serves as a culmination of the boldest private infrastructure project in the nation, breathing new life into Henry Flagler’s original vision for the Florida East Coast Railway. A decade in the making, Brightline's launch is poised to revolutionize train travel in America and offers a blueprint for connecting city pairs that are too short to fly and too far to drive.

The commencement of passenger service was commemorated at the Brightline Orlando station, where guests had the honor of joining Brightline's Founder Wes Edens, CEO Mike Reininger, and President Patrick Goddard. As the train made its grand entrance, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer welcomed guests on the platform and presented the Key to the City to Edens, who was joined by Reininger, Goddard, and other Brightline representatives. Officials from the Federal Railroad Administration, the Florida Department of Transportation, Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, Central Florida Expressway Authority, and more were also present to extend their greetings to the inaugural train.

Brightline first introduced passenger rail operations in South Florida in 2018, seamlessly connecting Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach. Last year, the network expanded with the opening of stations in Boca Raton and Aventura. The ambitious project to extend the rail service by 170 miles from West Palm Beach to Orlando commenced in 2019. This monumental $6 billion undertaking has significantly boosted Florida's economy, generating an impressive 10,000 jobs and approximately $6.4 billion in direct economic impact for the region. Over four years, construction teams dedicated over seven million hours to realize this remarkable project.

Brightline now covers an impressive 235-mile route between Miami and Orlando, offering passengers an efficient and comfortable travel option. The journey duration, which includes South Florida station stops, will vary between 3 and 3.5 hours. This bold step forward in transportation opens up exciting opportunities for travelers and underscores the power of visionary infrastructure projects that bridge communities and enhance connectivity. Brightline's Orlando to Miami rail service promises to be a game-changer in the world of transportation, providing a dynamic alternative for those traveling between these two vibrant cities.

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