Brightline Orlando Launch Discussion

markhb wrote: ↑Fri Sep 01, 2023 12:57 pm I think Stuart / Port St. Lucie is the one that negotiated their own stop (the "Treasure Coast"), but they're also responsible for the holdups over the bridge (southern equivalent to Mr. Norman's oft-mentioned Fairfield Navy). Personally, I do think they should look at a stop around Cocoa/Melbourne; they'll make a ton off of connections between MCO and the cruise port area.

It is only 45 miles (45 minutes for cruise passengers times) between Orlando’s airport and Cocoa’s seaport. I am not that familiar how often buses and vans run between these two ports, but assuming you get lucky with your timing the train could get you to a Tran station in Cocoa in 22 minutes, with a savings of 23 minutes. How long do you think the bus will take you to get from the Cocoa train station to the seaport assuming the transfer was immediate (within one minute).
Will the extra cost of taking the train be worth the few min7tes saved taking the bus from the airport? I do not think so. Brightline is not charging commuter like transit fares, they are charging inter city fares.

If it's 45 minutes by bus/car to Cocoa/the cruise ports, and taking the train will halve that already pretty low travel time, that's not exactly worth it, in my opinion. I'm also assuming that if there was a stop there, you'd have to get onto a bus of some sort for the "final mile." At that rate, just drive the whole way there

markhb wrote: ↑Fri Sep 01, 2023 12:57 pm I think Stuart / Port St. Lucie is the one that negotiated their own stop (the "Treasure Coast"), but they're also responsible for the holdups over the bridge (southern equivalent to Mr. Norman's oft-mentioned Fairfield Navy).

Well Mr. Markhb, which sounds more pleasant to the ear; The Martin Navy (Stuart) or the Saint Lucie Navy (Port St. Lucie)?

I had been tempted by the NRHS convention - ride Brightline, see a couple of museums, ride behind steam, but gave it a pass because of other commitments. Not sure when I'll next have any reason to be in FL.

electricron wrote: ↑Fri Sep 01, 2023 4:01 pm

markhb wrote: ↑Fri Sep 01, 2023 12:57 pm I think Stuart / Port St. Lucie is the one that negotiated their own stop (the "Treasure Coast"), but they're also responsible for the holdups over the bridge (southern equivalent to Mr. Norman's oft-mentioned Fairfield Navy). Personally, I do think they should look at a stop around Cocoa/Melbourne; they'll make a ton off of connections between MCO and the cruise port area.

It is only 45 miles (45 minutes for cruise passengers times) between Orlando’s airport and Cocoa’s seaport. I am not that familiar how often buses and vans run between these two ports, but assuming you get lucky with your timing the train could get you to a Tran station in Cocoa in 22 minutes, with a savings of 23 minutes. How long do you think the bus will take you to get from the Cocoa train station to the seaport assuming the transfer was immediate (within one minute).
Will the extra cost of taking the train be worth the few min7tes saved taking the bus from the airport? I do not think so. Brightline is not charging commuter like transit fares, they are charging inter city fares.

We typically go the night before, so it's more travel station -> hotel , which is easier than MCO -> X hotel in Cocoa; the cruise lines typically don't handle that as well.

My second concern is that we travel with a passenger who uses (and remains in) a wheelchair, which is much less convenient (and can be more expensive) to book for those distances than shared services, but a train makes it much simpler.

Gilbert B Norman wrote: ↑Sat Sep 02, 2023 7:14 pm

markhb wrote: ↑Fri Sep 01, 2023 12:57 pm I think Stuart / Port St. Lucie is the one that negotiated their own stop (the "Treasure Coast"), but they're also responsible for the holdups over the bridge (southern equivalent to Mr. Norman's oft-mentioned Fairfield Navy).

Well Mr. Markhb, which sounds more pleasant to the ear; The Martin Navy (Stuart) or the Saint Lucie Navy (Port St. Lucie)?

After some thought, I'll go with the St. Lucie Navy, since they seem determined to keep pulling the football away from Brightline .

Mr. Markhb, I think a review of the many discussions at this site regarding AAF/Brightline/Virgin/Brightline will reveal that Martin County was amongst the most vocal with their attempts to derail the "HSR of sorts" Miami-McCoy passenger train service.

disclaimer: author has had eight rides to date (several "to get from here to there") likes it, and with God willing, will get to "go all the way".

Arborwayfan wrote: ↑Thu Aug 31, 2023 5:45 pm I got Ft Lauderdale and West Palm beach mixed up in my mind.
Thanks for explaining the 2:10 without a stop, which seemed surprisingly long to me, but not necessarily bad. I just don't know Florida geography very well. It certainly will make it faster.

Prof. Martens, the interchange off SR91 (Turnpike) to SR 60 @ HeHaw is there so the moneyed folk can get their Bennies-Caddies-and Lex to "Zero Beach".

Suffice to say, I have no use for that place. My Father ('09-'01) gave thought to reloing there from Lighthouse Point, but thankfully, he skontched that.

In fairness, I'll point out that I did once have cause to use the Yeehaw Junction interchange: we were in the Tampa area on vacation and drove to see my brother who then lived in Boca Raton; even today, Google Maps (probably Mapquest back then) gave the best route as taking FL SR 60 across the state to the Turnpike. So, it's useful from the other direction as well.

Trivia: Yeehaw was a stop on the abandoned FEC Sanford - Okeechobee train route. Turnpike follows that FEC ROW in many locations.

Brightline has set a new opening date of September 22. Here is the announcement:

Press Release: GoBrightline Press Room

Press Release Exception to Fair Use:

MIAMI (Sept. 13, 2023) – Brightline, the only provider of modern, eco-friendly, intercity rail in America, today announced that service to Orlando International Airport will begin on September 22, 2023. Get ready to connect between Orlando and South Florida (Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach) with inaugural rides available for booking at gobrightline.com or by downloading the Brightline app on iOS and Android.



“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,” shared Patrick Goddard, president of Brightline. “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.”



For a limited time, Brightline is offering one-way SMART fares starting at $79 for adults and $39 for kids. Groups of 4+ will automatically save an additional 25 percent on SMART fares. SMART service offers a comfortable business-class option onboard in hand-stitched leather seats, complimentary Starlink WiFi, multiple power and USB outlets and an array of food and beverages available for purchase.



One-way PREMIUM fares start at $149, a first class experience with added amenities including a dedicated PREMIUM lounge, priority boarding, checked luggage, and complimentary snacks and beverages throughout the journey.



Brightline also offers a variety of industry promotions for its guests. For corporate riders, Brightline for Business is a dedicated portal for companies to save with fixed rate rides designed for company needs. Starting this fall, students with eligible email domains can receive up to 25 percent off SMART rides after creating a Brightline account using an active college or university email. Travel advisors can sign up now for information on discounted rates. Brightline expects to offer commissionable fares in the near future, and to be bookable on GDS by the end of 2023.



Reasons to Ride North

Brightline service to Orlando kick off weekend coincides with Inter Miami battling in-state rival Orlando City at Exploria Stadium in downtown Orlando on September 24. Fans of Karol G can take in her show as she takes the stage at Camping World Stadium the same evening.



Throughout the fall, travelers can connect from South Florida to Orlando for seasonal events including Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando Resort, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World along with Howl-O-Scream at SeaWorld Orlando.



Foodies can take in the Epcot International Wine & Food Festival, SeaWorld’s Craft Beer Festival and visit the many Michelin-Star restaurants in Orlando including Knife & Spoon inside the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, an Omakase experience at Kadence located in the Audubon Garden District, and Bacán featuring contemporary Central and South American fare inside the spectacular Lake Nona Wave Hotel.



Reasons to Ride South

Brightline riders originating in Central Florida can travel south to dine their way across South Florida with special restaurant months across the region from West Palm Beach to Miami. This fall, visitors to Miami can watch a HEAT game or favorite performer at the Kaseya Center, stop in fort Lauderdale to root on the legendary Lionel Messi as he plays his first season with Inter Miami CF, visit art murals in Fort Lauderdale’s Flagler Village, grab brunch at The Square in downtown West Palm Beach, enjoy one of the Miami’s top food festivals with South Beach Seafood Festival, or dance the night away at III Points Music Festival.



Feeling spontaneous? Explore one of many culturally diverse neighborhoods around the Brightline stations in Miami (Wynwood, the Design District, Downtown Miami, Coconut Grove, South Beach), Aventura, Fort Lauderdale (Las Olas, Fort Lauderdale Beach, Flagler Village, FAT Village), Boca Raton, and Palm Beach (The Square, Downtown’s Clematis Street, Worth Avenue).



Brightline guests can conveniently connect to South Florida ports and the region’s many beaches.



And, for NFL fans, the Miami Dolphins home opener is September 24 against the Denver Broncos, with shuttles available from the Brightline Aventura Station to Hard Rock Stadium.



Get Connected with Brightline+

In Orlando, transportation and mobility options will cater to the unique needs of the Orlando visitor through Brightline+ products available to book directly through the Brightline app and website. When booked, guests receive confirmation email and instructions on how to add on extras such as parking, checked baggage, and Brightline+ mobility options closer to their trip date.



In South Florida, Brightline’s stations are within walking distance of major attractions. For those looking to travel beyond the city centers, Brightline+ offers a wide variety of first and last-mile mobility options to get guests to and from the stations. Guests simply pre-book an Uber during the train reservation process or opt for walk up services including fixed route pickup and drop off shuttles to the airports, neighborhood electric vehicles that take guests anywhere within a three-mile radius of the stations and dedicated event shuttles.



PREMIUM booked guests also enjoy Brightline’s first and last-mile service to get to and from the station with complimentary Uber rides anywhere within a five mile radius in South Florida. To see all Brightline+ services available, visit gobrightline.com/mobility.



With so many reasons to ride Brightline connecting Florida’s two fastest growing regions, guests are encouraged to sign up for Brightline emails on gobrightline.com to learn about the latest upcoming happenings. To learn more about where Brightline can take you next, visit the Explore Reason to Ride page.



About Brightline

Brightline is the only provider of modern, eco-friendly, higher-speed rail service in America. The company currently serves Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach, with Orlando beginning service on Sept. 22, 2023. Brightline was recognized by Fast Company as one of the Most Innovative Companies in Travel and included in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2023 Hot List for the best new ways to travel. Offering a guest-first experience designed to reinvent train travel and take cars off the road, Brightline plans to bring its award-winning service to additional city pairs and congested corridors across the country that are too close to fly and too long to drive, with immediate plans to connect Las Vegas to Southern California. For more information, visit www.gobrightline.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

I must say, why the video show autos on the parallel Bee Line Expressway overtaking the Brightline train?

Even if only in the fantasy of the video producer's mind, I'd like to think they'd want to portray the image "we're faster than behind the wheel".

If a motorist used traveling Southward SR528 (Bee Line) to the 95 with the intent of saving a buck or two on tolls. Absent any significant traffic jams (hey, anyone around here wanna place a bet on that?), that might just be a "dead heat". Using SR 91 (Turnpike), I don't know it could be anything other than a runaway.

Good that Brightline will have this running before snowbird season, which runs from October to April, and sees a lot of tourism.

I may be going to Orlando sometime in October, so I will be sure to get pictures of Brightline, perhaps even take a ride.

Yeah, Mr. Norman. Why didn't whoever made the promo video wait for a traffic jam to film? We will never know.

That video shows the first train accelerating to speed during testing and was taken by Roaming Railfan during the test events. I don't think his drone could keep up with it.