Brightline expands passenger rail service into Miami

One of the most significant transportion accomplishments in recent US history continues to make national headlines. Brightline, the only privately owned and operated intercity passenger rail system in the country recently began passenger rail service into Downtown Miami with great fanfare.

Image courtesy of Brightline

Initially launched in January 2018 between West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale, the opening of MiamiCentral Station adds another major destination to South Florida’s largest urban center.

MiamiCentral is Brightline’s crown jewel. When fully operational, it will serve as a terminal to Brightline’s 32 daily trains, Tri-Rail (commuter rail), Metrorail (heavy rail) and Metromover (downtown people mover) systems with trains as high as fifty feet above downtown’s streets to avoid blocking traffic. Consuming six blocks, the 11-acre, transit-oriented mixed-use station’s initial phase features 300,000+ square feet of Class A office space; 180,000+ square feet of innovative retail and dining experiences including Central Fare, Miami’s first true food hall experience; and 800 residential rental units.

With service into Downtown Miami now operational, attention turns to the next phase of Brightline’s expansion across Florida. Phase 2 calls for the intercity rail system to reach Orlando International Airport’s South Terminal by 2021. In addition, the rail venture is investing $160 million on airport property, including the construction of a 200,000 square foot maintenance building, six miles of track and extensive site work.