Brightline Orlando Launch Discussion

Not much use for the start-up topic anymore. Here it is for future reference: brightline-all-aboard-florida-orlando-m ... 94565.html

So we can talk about launch day and operations.

https://www.wftv.com/news/local/brightl ... utType=amp

ORLANDO, Fla. — You could book your ticket for a trip on Brightline’s new train service from Orlando to South Florida as early as next week.
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“As soon as next week, we’re gonna put tickets on sale for future dates so that people can start making their plans for the fall and the winter,” Goddard said.
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When Will the Brightline to Orlando Open? New Details Released | TravelAge West - May 16, 2023

"According to a statement released on May 16, Brightline will release an official opening date after it has completed required testing."

The station is inside the airport, at Terminal C.

Orlando Station | Brightline

"Nonstop trains will connect Orlando to Miami in two hours and fifty-nine minutes, and regular service trains, which stop at our other South Florida stations, in three hours and thirty minutes. Trains between Orlando and West Palm Beach will take approximately two hours."

Trains will run hourly, with about 16 trains/direction/day.

Orlando is on sale now for trips on or after September 1.

Schedule attached, looks like Boca is getting highballed through the day.

Almost 2 or 3 times as fast as Amtrak between Orlando and West Palm Beach.

Look, look, look from the pages of The Wall Street Journal .

Uh "not exactly", the best friend passenger trains ever had.

Fair Use:

South Florida housing values are still rising even as home prices in much of the country are starting to come down. Values for homes located near the region’s expanding rapid transit rail system are appreciating even faster.

So, Brightline has delayed their launch until 9/1, which is also the date that they have set for selling tickets. This thread will cover launch activities, trip reports, and so forth for that launch and the weeks and months after.

https://veronews.com/2023/05/25/brightl ... ept-1/amp/

Brightline’s Orlando service delayed to Sept. 1

Brightline conducted 110 mile per hour test runs in northern Indian River County last week after announcing that the anticipated June 30 rollout of high-speed rail passenger service between Orlando and Miami would be delayed at least until Sept. 1.

Brightline started selling tickets on May 17 for the three-and-a-half-hour trip between Orlando and Miami with Friday, Sept. 1, being the first date available on the company’s website.
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Reading this article carefully, I’m not sure they got it right. It appears they failed to read the May 17 press release carefully, and didn’t note the fact that tickets for earlier dates would go on sale after the real startup date is set.

This is the only outlet saying the startup is delayed to September 1. I’m quite sure that a lot of news outlets would carry this story if it were true.

Jim

Jim, I believe you are correct. It looks like they made an assumption. Here's the release:

https://www.gobrightline.com/press-room ... ts-on-sale

Brightline Orlando Tickets Now On Sale

MIAMI (May 17, 2023) – Brightline, the only provider of modern, eco-friendly, intercity rail in America, today, has launched ticket sales for the highly anticipated Brightline Orlando connection. While final preparations are being made for grand opening, tickets between South Florida (Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach) and Orlando are on sale now for late summer through early 2024. Guests can purchase tickets at gobrightline.com or by downloading the app. An official opening date and inaugural rides will be announced after Brightline has completed required testing. Guests should sign up for Brightline emails on gobrightline.com to be the first to know when summer inaugural rides will go on sale.



“Brightline guests and the travel market have spoken loudly, and we want to respond by opening ticket sales from late summer through the beginning of next year,” said Patrick Goddard, president of Brightline. “While we are finalizing an official launch date, guests can now book travel for Labor Day, Halloween and holidays through the new year.”



Brightline will offer one-way SMART fares starting at $79 for adults and $39 for kids. Groups of 4+ 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.



Transportation and mobility options at Brightline Orlando Station will feature new Brightline+ products including shuttles, Uber rideshare and car rental options, which will cater to the unique needs of the Orlando visitor. When booked, guests receive confirmation email and instructions on how to add on extras such as parking, checked baggage, and Brightline+ mobility options available closer to their trip date.



In South Florida, Brightline offers a wide variety of options to get guests to and from the stations using Brightline+ with Uber, fixed route shuttles to the airports, neighborhood electric vehicles and 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.



BRIGHTLINE FOR BUSINESS

Connecting South and Central Florida by rail will enable increased productivity and flexibility while promoting a better work-life balance. Brightline offers an array of business products for companies and their employees that are seamless and transferable. Brightline for Business is offering an introductory promotion providing a limited time exclusive offer for travel between Orlando and South Florida. To learn more about Brightline for Business, visit gobrightline.com/train-tickets/corporate.



WHAT IS THE NEW TRAIN SCHEDULE?

Service will include 16 daily round trips with hourly departures between Miami and Orlando. Regular service from Orlando to Miami will stop at all Brightline stations including West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale and Aventura.



Additional dedicated trains will continue to serve commuters and the South Florida region between Miami and West Palm Beach with early morning departures at 5:00 a.m. from West Palm Beach and late night departures until 12:45 a.m. out of Miami.



The complete new train schedule between Miami and Orlando can be viewed by visiting gobrightline.com.



Unveiled for the first time last month, the new Brightline Orlando Station is meticulously designed and built through the lens of today’s modern traveler. The 37,350 square foot station is located in Orlando International Airport’s new Train Station facility adjacent to Terminal C. The Train Station connects directly to the airport’s Parking Garage C, which will have more than 350 parking spaces branded for Brightline guests. The Train Station provides direct access to the other airport terminals A and B via the airport Terminal Link (automated people mover) in under five minutes.

What are the present hot box detector locations MIA -ORL? Is it possible that FRA will require more before Brightline service? Hope not!

So it looks like Brightline has stopped taking reservations, putting the Sept 1 launch date in doubt. I had my suspicions that delays might be likely, and I'm looking to try to ride the full route soon after they open so I'll be keeping an eye out for any definitive news.

As I wrote on another forum…

I have reservations between WPB and Orlando for the first northward train on September 1. I just called Brightline to find out what's going on, and they indicated that there is still quite a bit of testing and training to complete. They have removed all inventory for the first two weeks of September, but they're not at the point where they need to cancel existing reservations.

In other words, they don't know. 😡

https://www.thenextmiami.com/brightline ... tember-15/

September 15. No clarification on 9/1.