The first 3-hour train rides from Orlando to Miami will start next week, ending months of anticipation for the new high-speed rail.
On Wednesday, Brightline announced that services between the Orlando International Airport and multiple South Florida stops will begin on Friday, September 22, 2023.
The company was forced to delay the previously scheduled launch date of September 1 as it worked through “final stages of certification and crew testing.”
“Opening Orlando fulfills our ultimate business model. We have seen incredible enthusiasm from the business and tourism industries eager to travel between Central and South Florida,” says Patrick Goddard, president of Brightline. “As we start service to Orlando for peak holiday seasons, I encourage everyone to check calendars, make plans, visit our website or app and reserve a seat now.”
Anticipation has been building for the opening of the railway, which celebrated the opening of its terminal at Orlando International Airport in April.
Construction of the 170-mile railway was completed in late June.
The new, daily service will operate as early as 5 a.m. from Orlando to Miami and will feature 16 round trips with hourly departures between the cities. Tickets start at $79 per passenger, each way, while tickets for children start at $39 per passenger, each way. Groups of four or more passengers will save an additional 25 percent on fares.
The service from Orlando to Miami will stop at all Brightline stations, including West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, and Aventura.
Earlier this year, the company announced that all Brightline passengers will have access to free WiFi provided by Starlink, a satellite-based internet service managed by SpaceX.