A Great Idea Is Timeless
It’s been 122 years since a train brought this much excitement to South Florida. That was when Henry Flagler’s Florida East Coast Railway reached Biscayne Bay and launched the development of “Mayaimi,” turning an unknown swath of coastal land into what would become one of the most famous cities in the world. A great idea is timeless, so it’s no surprise that All Aboard Florida’s Brightline, the 21st-century reincarnation of Flagler’s creation, was an instant success when it debuted this year to much fanfare.
The only privately owned, operated, and maintained passenger rail system in the United States today – the first of its kind in over a century – carried its first passengers between Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach in January 2018. Service debuted to Miami in May, and Orlando is next on the line, with its launch expected in 2021. The express service with a focus on hospitality brings a premium alternative to the frustrating, time-consuming struggle of driving South Florida’s congested roads.
Affordable & Eco-Friendly
Brightline travels between Miami and Fort Lauderdale in 33 minutes ($10 Smart, $15 Select each-way), between Miami and West Palm Beach in 75 minutes ($15 Smart, $25 Select each-way), and between Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach in 40 minutes ($10 Smart, $15 Select each-way). The travel time and cost to Orlando from the 3 other stations has not yet been confirmed.
The American-made trains have 19-inch (Smart) and 21-inch (Select) wide seats; Free WiFi; outlets and USB jacks in all seats; food and beverage service including alcohol; storage for bikes, strollers, and luggage; are ADA-compliant; pet-friendly; boast spacious baths with Dyson touchless technology; and are environmentally friendly with cutting-edge, EPA-compliant, quiet and clean-burning biodiesel-electric engines. Additionally, Brightline is expected to remove up to three million vehicles from the road each year, reducing greenhouse emissions and fuel consumption. You’ll help the environment just by riding!
A Plethora of Perks
The gleaming, 60,000 sq. ft. stations in West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and Orlando (under construction) are state-of-the-art complexes with Free WiFi; comfortable lounges with exclusive premium areas for “Select” ticket holders; “Smart” turnstiles that scan your ticket for speedy passage to your train; food and drink outlets; garage parking, ride-share areas for Uber and Lyft pick-ups and drop-offs; and more.
Are you as excited as we are? You can get all the information about the awesome Brightline at their website, which among much else includes an excellent FAQ page. All aboard!