In a historical moment for the transportation landscape in Florida, Brightline’s much-anticipated rail service between Miami and Orlando officially began on September 22, 2023. The first train, named Bright Pink, arrived at the Orlando Station at Orlando International Airport at 11:05am to much applause from business leaders, community partners and elected officials from across the state.
The new service now connects Central and South Florida, linking to existing lines serving Miami, West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale and Aventura. Brightline, a private company, is known for fast trains, innovative station design, sleek lounges and exceptional on-board service and perks.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer greeted guests on the arrival platform and presented a Key to the City to Brightline’s Founder, Wes Edens. Various other Florida officials were on hand to celebrate and offer their congratulations.
“Brightline’s Orlando Station sets a new benchmark for transportation between two of Florida’s busiest regions, with a seamless, convenient experience that caters to today’s modern traveler. We’ve curated an experience – both in our gleaming stations and onboard our trains—that exceeds the benefit of time-savings, alone,” said Patrick Goddard, president of Brightline.
Mayor Dyer said “We’re proud to see the advancement of our community with the start of Brightline train service today, making this important connection between our city and Miami, two of Florida’s busiest city centers, a reality.”
Train enthusiasts on and along the route posted their reactions using the hashtag #brightline. While some complaints about pricing surfaced, most reactions were positive. Here are a few posts from riders and observers:
Looking for Papa as we pass Malabar on our way to MIA on #BrightLine and then Papa recording us. pic.twitter.com/ila4YOA2gz
— Brian Daneu (@bdaneu) September 24, 2023
It’s WILD that the train Miami-Orlando is almost 100 dollars more expensive than travel on a plane, and the wildest thing is it isn’t even located in a convenient spot within the city, you have to take it AT THE AIRPORT. #GoBrightLine
— Sandumm (@Sandumm) September 22, 2023
Paul Barter (left) and Noah Gershoff (right) are two train enthusiasts who happened to be have seats next to each other. pic.twitter.com/qslLfqSxAA
— The Palm Beach Post (@pbpost) September 22, 2023
Brightline train leaves Treasure Coast and enters Brevard County #Brightline @lalemmon @TCPalm pic.twitter.com/BT7uYtU6fd
— Nick Slater (@slaternick24) September 22, 2023
This is what the #Brightline saves you; 12 minutes. That is if you make it alive with the poorly maintained tracks and the idiots that stop on the tracks. pic.twitter.com/H2zfGmIbNp
— Kelvin 🇵🇷🇺🇸♻️ (@kelvinsalgad0) September 23, 2023
I’m impressed with the food on the return trip from Orlando on #Brightline pic.twitter.com/ltM9uoncOX
— Joel Franco (@OfficialJoelF) September 22, 2023
Interior spaces on the #Brightline train are built with business in mind. Lots of leg room (even for a 6’2” frame) and plenty of space for laptops, tablets and phones, with two outlet stations per desk. Seats also are comfy. #OBJBrightline pic.twitter.com/QSt59Lrwwy
— Sean McCrory (@Editor_SeanMC) September 22, 2023
Awesome view of the new extension of the @GoBrightline train from Miami to Orlando! Can’t wait for the LA-Vegas segment construction starting soon! #Brightline
— Theme Park Wizard (@ParkWizar1) September 22, 2023
pic.twitter.com/tipbo30lF8
City of Stuart employees gather opposite city hall near the rail tracks, donned with yellow sunglasses, garlands, and black and yellow balloons, waiting to cheer the #Brightline go by. @TCPalm pic.twitter.com/viUD6oLvUN
— Ananya Tiwari (@Ananyati) September 22, 2023
View this post on Instagram