WEST PALM BEACH, Florida- For decades, there has been talk of the possibility of a train linking South Florida to Orlando. Designs, multiple permit applications, extensive discussions, planning, logistics, construction and years later those 235 miles between those ends of Florida won’t seem that far away.

At least that’s the expectation of railroad company Brightline, which started out in March 2012 as Florida East Coast Industries’ All Aboard Florida. Brightline is currently the only privately funded intercity railroad in the United States.

When she began her operations on the property, she already had in mind what had been talked about for years: the transportation bridge between these crowded and popular Florida cities.

In Florida, Brightline has six stations: Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach and, the sixth station, Orlando.

“Over 60% of trips originate from South Florida and go to Orlando to enjoy what the city of Orlando has to offer…(like) the parks,” said Patrick Goddard. Telemundo 31president of Brightline.

According to the latest statistics provided by the census, Florida has more than 20 million inhabitants, of which 9 million reside precisely in South Florida.

Although those same data reflect that Central Florida — which includes both Orlando and other counties such as Seminole and Osceola — has seen one of the highest population growths in the past 10 years.

The population of Osceola, for example, has grown by 45%, from around 269,000 people in 2010 to around 389,000 in 2020. Orange, for its part, has increased its growth by almost 25% from 2010 to 2020. Its population has increased from 1.15 million to 1.43 million, according to rough figures.

“It’s a generational moment (for) the United States and passenger trains… We’re already approaching the moment,” Goddard said from the Miami station, referring to the opening of the Orlando station. which will take place very soon at the new Terminal C of the Orlando International Airport (MCO).

Years of planning to connect Orlando and Miami

In 2012, the plans for the station and the connection plan for the cities began to flow.

And in 2014, the first stage of construction between West Palm Beach and Miami began. Several years later, specifically in 2018, the construction phase began – and other permit applications – between West Palm Beach and Orlando.

Due to the size of this project, Goddard felt the time from planning to construction was “pretty fast” compared to what the developments actually take.

“Many projects of this type last for many years. For one this size, we did it in a very short time,” Goddard said, while commenting that more than “$6 billion” was invested.

It is expected that with the operations of the Orlando station, about 500 to 700 new jobs will be generated, he assured.

In Florida, Brightline has six stations: Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach and, the sixth station, Orlando.

Brightline’s upcoming plans include building a station in Tampa, but it’s still in the design and development stage.

Economic and ecological impact in Florida

In Florida, Brightline has six stations: Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach and, the sixth station, Orlando.

In addition to providing an alternative for people to get to work or simply to tourist destinations, it is believed that this means of transport contributes to the environment.

According to the Brightline website, this company is on track to achieve carbon neutral travel. It is also stated that the diesel-electric locomotives run on clean biodiesel to reduce emissions.

Goddard explained that, precisely, they expect that with this means of transport more than 3 million cars will be taken off the roads.

Similarly, the stations have charging stations for electric vehicles. “It’s going to have a big impact,” said the company’s leader. “I think this is going to change the way people travel between the two parts of the state a lot.”

Regarding the statistics regarding the flow of people, he indicated that “60% of people leave South Florida for Orlando” and the remaining 40% go from Orlando to South Florida.

“Right now we have over a million and a half people using the train here in South Florida,” he said.

Regarding safety, he commented that “inside a train is the safest place you can be. It’s much safer than being in a car… Down south from Florida, on I-95, there are more than 50,000 accidents a year.

On the tourism side, he acknowledged that it is difficult for a tourist to reach this state and travel long distances on highways, so he hopes that will change.

“It’s very difficult to come from another country, rent a car and drive on the ‘highways’ (freeways) that we have here in this state. So it provides another way to travel between Miami and Orlando,” he said. “Now you can take that route without driving, without stress, without worrying.”

Asked by Noticias Telemundo 31 whether there will be a benefit in terms of travel costs for Florida residents, the president pointed out that very “soon” they would announce information on rates and that they would question residents. to collect the feelings of the communities.

“This will change the Florida travel experience”

Vanessa Alfonso, director of communications for Brightline, said the new routes will change “the Florida travel experience.”

“It’s going to be a completely different experience. They will be able to go to Orlando and during this same trip also visit South Florida: Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and return to Orlando if they wish, “he assured.

He also added that as a side effect, travelers will have more airport options. “If they want to add time to make a ‘pleasure’ visit to their work trip, now it’s possible, or also to do work between the two cities, it’s more possible, easier”, he said.

To buy tickets, he said people can download the Brightline app on their mobile phone or visit the digital page directly.

Brightline’s upcoming plans include building a station in Tampa, but it’s still in the design and development stage.

Likewise, the company is working on a new project on the west coast of the country that would connect Las Vegas and California. The president announced that they were already finishing the design of this project.

“They will start construction at the end of this year. It’s also a 3-4 year project,” he said.

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