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.

When the $2.15 billion South Terminal and its Brightline passenger rail station opens in 2021, Brightline trains will reach a top speed of 125 miles an hour, covering 235 miles between Orlando to Miami in three hours. In addition, JetBlue has recently announced its plans to occupy the South Terminal’s inaugural 19 gates. In the coming years, the New York-based airline expects to boost its daily departures from 63 to 100. Currently, Orlando International Airport is the busiest in Florida and the 11th busiest in the nation with 45 million annual passengers in 2017.

OIA South Terminal Complex courtesy of SchenkelShultz Architecture

Furthermore, in addition to potential extensions to Tampa and Jacksonville, Brightline is looking into replicating its service in other regions of the country. Launching in Florida, a state with significant economic growth in a country ready for a transportation revolution, the company continues to research regional cities where it’s too far to drive and too short to fly, such as Atlanta to Charlotte and Dallas to Houston.

Brightline believes its model is a commercially viable one that could change public transportation in America. As for now, it’s hard to argue their position. With three stations featuring restaurants, retail, residential and office space in Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, the system appears to significantly changing the concept in South Florida.

Visit https://gobrightline.com/ for more information.

Article by Ennis Davis, AICP. Davis is a certified senior planner and graduate of Florida A&M University. He is the author of the award winning books “Reclaiming Jacksonville,” “Cohen Brothers: The Big Store” and “Images of Modern America: Jacksonville.” Davis has served with various organizations committed to improving urban communities, including the American Planning Association and the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation. A 2013 Next City Vanguard, Davis is the co-founder of Metro Jacksonville.com and ModernCities.com — two websites dedicated to promoting fiscally sustainable communities — and Transform Jax, a tactical urbanist group. Contact Ennis at edavis@moderncities.com