MIAMI (AP) — The first major test of whether privately owned high-speed passenger train service can thrive in the United States begins Friday, with Florida’s Brightline beginning train service between Miami and Orlando. and reach speeds of 125 mph (200 km/h).
That’s according to Brightline’s owner, Fortress Investment Group, which says 8 million people a year will eventually make the 3.5-hour, 235-mile (378 km) journey between the state’s largest tourist hubs. Believe me, you’re making a $5 billion bet. The company charges single riders $158 round-trip in business class and $298 in first class, while families and groups can purchase four round-trip tickets for $398. 32 trains run per day.
Brightline, which began operating 70 miles (112 kilometers) of neon yellow trains between Miami and West Palm Beach in 2018, is the first private intercity passenger service in the United States to open in a century.We are also building a connection line Southern California and Las Vegas The hope is to have trains that can reach speeds of 190 miles per hour (305 kilometers per hour) in 2027. The only other high-speed route in the United States is Amtrak’s Acela service between Boston and Washington, D.C., launched in 2000. Amtrak is owned by the federal government.
“Regardless of what it means in the context of Florida and what it means for these types of products being developed in other parts of the United States,” Brightline CEO Mike Reinerger said in a statement. This is a very important moment.” Recent interviews. “The idea that your car is the only way to get to your destination is being challenged by new products that are safer, greener, offer a great value proposition (and) are fun.”
Florida’s trains run on biodiesel and travel at speeds of 127 km/h in urban areas, 110 mph in sparsely populated areas, and 125 mph (200 km/h) in central Florida’s farmlands. Brightline is planning possible expansion into Tampa and Jacksonville.
John Renne, director of Florida Atlantic University’s Center for Urban and Environmental Solutions, said the Miami-Orlando corridor is a perfect location for high-speed rail, with about 40 million Floridians and tourists traveling annually, including More than 90% said they drove a car. .
If Brightline is successful, both Brightline and its competitors could create more high-speed links between major cities 200 to 300 miles (320 to 480 kilometers) apart, he said.
“It’s very exciting for South Florida to serve as a testing ground for what could be described as a new paradigm for transportation in the United States, especially high-speed rail transportation,” said Wren.
Because Brightline is privately owned and driven by profits, it was sensitive to completing projects quickly to save money. Regarding the government side, Mr. Rennes pointed out the following. California’s efforts Build a high-speed rail system. The plan, approved by voters in 2008, is no closer to fruition, already costing billions of dollars more than expected and facing difficulties finding a route through the mountainous region. As it turns out, politicians have added questionable ancillary projects, leaving prospects for completion uncertain. Brightline he started planning in 2012.
However, Brightline’s development suffered setbacks. The route between Miami and West Palm Beach has been closed for 17 months due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). 2018 partnerships Working with Richard Branson’s Virgin Group, Brightline rebranded as Virgin Trains USA, but its business quickly suffered. Brightline ends partnership in 2020 Virgin then filed a lawsuit in London. According to the complaint, Brightline said Virgin “ceased to constitute a brand of strong international reputation primarily due to issues related to the pandemic.” The case is pending.
Next, there is the issue of safety for residents near the railroad tracks.
Brightline trains have the highest death rate in the United States, with 98 deaths since they began service between Miami and West Palm. Ongoing reports suggest that about one person dies for every 32,000 miles (51,500 kilometers) traveled by trains. Associated Press analysis The next worst major railroads have a fatal accident every 130,000 miles (209,200 kilometers).
No deaths have been found due to Brightline. Most are suicides, drivers bypassing crossing gates, or pedestrians running across the tracks. The company has had no deaths since June, the longest such period excluding the pandemic-related closure period.
Still, the company’s fatality rate worries officials in the extension area.
Indian River County Sheriff Eric Flowers said Brightline officials appeared insensitive in a recent meeting, saying they were more concerned about getting passengers to their destination after an accident than about how Brightline would respond to a fatal accident. He said he seemed worried about explaining the steps to deliver the child.
“They don’t seem to have any empathy for our community. We’re just standing in their way,” said Flowers, whose county includes Vero Beach. “For them, running over some people is a cost of doing business.”
Brightline took action Its leaders believe they will strengthen safety by installing closed-circuit cameras near railroad tracks, installing better barriers and pedestrian barriers, and posting signs that include a suicide prevention hotline. There is.
“We have invested heavily in infrastructure to ensure safe passage,” Reiner said. “We continue to work literally every day with safety as our top priority.”
Reiner said most of Brightline’s Miami-Orlando passengers will be people who drive the route regularly or people who don’t like driving and stay home. The primary target audience is families heading to Orlando’s theme parks and travelers enjoying South Florida’s nightlife, concerts, sports and cruises.
The drive between Miami and Orlando takes about four hours each way on Florida’s Turnpike, with round-trip tolls ranging from $40 to $60. Gas costs between $50 and $80, plus wear and tear on your vehicle.
Reiner said the company’s challenge is convincing travelers that the train amenities are worth the extra cost.
“It’s worth your time,” Reiner said. Taking the train “allows you to make better use of the time you spend traveling in many ways that you can’t do while driving.”
Robert Barr, who lives near Miami and publishes guides to rum and the South Florida region, is looking forward to taking Brightline to West Palm Beach and then on to Orlando. He said Brightline’s accommodations “compared very well to some of the best trains” he had in Europe, where intercity high-speed rail is common.
“The seats are comfortable and the ride is relatively quiet. It has a very modern feel,” Barr said.