Floridians and tourists tired of the four-hour drive between Miami and Orlando now have a new way to travel. This faster mode of transportation is looking to revolutionize the train industry.
Brightline launched its privately-funded, high-speed passenger train service between the two major cities on Friday, Sept. 22, with speeds reaching up to 125 miles per hour. The $5 billion investment expanded the company’s Miami-West Palm Beach line.
The plan is for 32 trains to run the 3.5 hour, 235-mile trip daily, costing single passengers $158 for a roundtrip business seat and $298 for first class.
Brightline is hoping 8 million people will travel on its high-speed line annually.
However, the company has seen several past setbacks and controversies, including a 17-month COVID-19 pandemic-related shutdown and a failed deal with Virgin Group founder Richard Branson.
Brightline trains have the highest death rate of all railroads in the U.S., according to The Associated Press’ analysis of federal data.
There have been 98 fatalities on its tracks since the company began operations in 2018; that’s about one death for 32,000 miles its trains travel.
The Sun Sentinel reported that Friday’s inaugural Orlando-bound ride was delayed due to an accident involving a pedestrian and a Brightline train.
Though none of the deaths have been found to be the company’s fault, Brightline has instituted safety improvements. Those safety measures include adding closed-circuit cameras, installing updated crossing gates and posting suicide prevention signage.