Brightline has announced its plans to resume service in South Florida in November 2021, as well as provided details of new service enhancements and safety protocols.
The eco-friendly, high-speed rail provider will commence its reopening schedule in the first half of November for service between Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. The specific date of service resumption will be announced in the coming weeks, following coordination with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and granting of system certification.
Progress continues on Brightline’s expansion stations, with the Aventura station currently under construction and the Boca Raton station expected to break ground in the coming months. Brightline’s Orlando station has surpassed the halfway point of its construction and is on target to be completed by the end of 2022. Discussion remains underway with local stakeholders concerning the expansion of the service to Disney and Tampa.
“We are thrilled to be gearing up to welcome guests back aboard Brightline,” said Brightline President Patrick Goddard during a virtual media update. “Over the last few months, we’ve made upgrades to our guest experience and made significant strides in construction. Our goal remains the same, to take cars off the road while offering the most convenient way to travel in South Florida and a guest-first experience.”
Among the new service enhancements is a mobility-on-demand platform that will provide its customers with door-to-door connectivity via the Brightline app. Brightline has partnered with software company Iomob to address guests’ first and last mile connections as well as reduce environmental impact. Guests can travel from their front door to the Brightline station, and then from the Brightline station at their destination to the final address of their journey via a selection of private luxury cars, shared shuttle services, golf carts and micro-mobility options.
Brightline enlisted a Chief Health Officer (CHO) during its hiatus to provide medical expertise and guidance for the implementation of operations, corporate and construction practices. Dr. Timothy McCormick, a licensed physician with more than 25 years of experience in public health and occupational medicine, has advised on a range of new safety measures.
Among the new safety protocols, Brightline will require all its teammates to be fully vaccinated prior to the reintroduction of service. The company’s protocols aim for an almost touchless transportation system, and a user-friendly mobile app allows travelers to book tickets, save boarding pass, board, and check train status. Brightline is cash free, and encourages the use of non-contact methods of payment. In-station and on-board bathrooms feature touchless technology by Dyson, and doors automatically open when boarding, deboarding or traveling between coaches. Reserved seating is available, and the private four-person table configurations within each coach have plexiglass dividers, providing increased privacy and distancing.
“Because of some of the additional steps that we have taken in the last year to create a safe environment on-board our trains and in our stations, we’ve determined that we are ready to reopen,” added Goddard.
For more information, visit gobrightline.com.
