The United States embarks on a pivotal journey in high-speed passenger train service as Florida’s Brightline launches its Miami to Orlando route, promising speeds of up to 125 mph. A daring $5 billion venture by owner Fortress Investment Group, Brightline anticipates that an impressive 8 million passengers annually will embark on the 3.5-hour, 235-mile trip connecting two of Florida’s major tourist destinations.
Business class tickets are priced at $158 round-trip, while first-class tickets go for $298. Families and groups can enjoy significant savings with four round-trip tickets available for $398, and an impressive 32 daily trains are set to run. Brightline, known for its distinctive neon-yellow trains, initially connected Miami to West Palm Beach in 2018 and marks the first private intercity passenger service to commence U.S. operations in a century. With its sights set on the future, the company aims to introduce even faster trains, reaching up to 190 mph, with an expansion planned for 2027. Presently, Amtrak’s Acela service between Boston and Washington, D.C., launched in 2000, is the only other high-speed rail in the U.S., albeit owned by the federal government. The stage is now set for a new era in American train travel.