FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Fort Lauderdale’s fight over whether to build a $500 million bridge or a $3 billion tunnel to handle rail traffic through downtown could heat up further on Tuesday, as city officials meet to vote on their preferred option — after the city’s mayor sent out an email newsletter to voters saying […]
Read More…
WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration has selected 10 projects for grants under its Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail grant program, according to a list released today (Friday, Dec. 8) on the FRA website. The U.S. Department of Transportation announced the grants in a press release that linked those awards with the selection of […]
Read More…
WASHINGTON — The Brightline West high speed rail project will receive a $3 billion federal grant, enabling the line between Las Vegas, Nev., and Southern California to begin construction, according to Nevada’s two U.S. senators. Sen. Jacky Rosen confirmed the grant today (Tuesday, Dec. 5) in multiple social media posts, including one on X (formerly […]
Read More…
WASHINGTON — Brightline West’s bid to extend its proposed electrified, 186-mph rail route from Las Vegas, Nev., to Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., has gained regulatory approval in two separate Surface Transportation Board decisions. In decisions released Friday, the STB approved route modifications at Las Vegas along with a 5-mile extension from the original terminus at Victorville, […]
Read More…
WASHINGTON and MIAMI — Rail passengers who are able to lock down travel plans in advance can benefit from two pre-Black Friday sales now underway at Amtrak and Florida’s Brightline. Amtrak Winter Sale Through this Wednesday, Nov. 15, Amtrak is offering “flash sale” advance purchase fares for travel Dec. 4, 2023, through March 15, 2024, […]
Read More…
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The mayor of Fort Lauderdale and officials in Broward County are at odds over the best way to handle expanded rail operation by Brightline — and proposed future commuter rail service — across the New River in the middle of town. The South Florida Sun Sentinel reports Mayor Dean Trantalis wants […]
Read More…
MIAMI — Brightline has begun the process of adding an intermediate station on its recently opened extension to Orlando, Fla., today issuing a Request for Proposals for the “Treasure Coast” area of St. Lucie and Martin counties, north of West Palm Beach. The company will accept proposals from private or public land owners along the […]
Read More…
MIAMI — After more than a week with Brightline offering 15 round trips between Miami and Orlando, certain runs show fares are creeping up to sellout levels, while bargains are still available for travelers who book in advance. A Trains News Wire analysis of available fares since Saturday, Oct. 7, shows that wide variations continue […]
Read More…
ORLANDO — Brightline has introduced a new All-Station Shared Pass for frequent travelers between Orlando and South Florida, offering consistent fares over a 90-day period. The pass is good between Orlando and any of the five South Florida stations — West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Aventura, and Miami — and is good for […]
Read More…
LONDON — Virgin Group has come out on top in its legal battle over Brightline Holdings LLC in a United Kingdom court judgment. This comes after a $115 million [originally reported to be $250 million] lawsuit was filed by Virgin over the Brightline’s exit from its 20-year partnership in the Virgin Trains USA branding that […]
Read More…
ORLANDO, Fla. — Officials in Orange County, Fla., have approved creation of a new special taxation district to help fund development of the “Sunshine Corridor” rail connection to allow Brightline and commuter rail service SunRail reach the Orange County Convention Center and nearby attractions. WKMG-TV reports county commissioners unanimously approved creation of the Shingle Creek […]
Read More…
STUART, Fla. — The operating schedule for the rail drawbridge over the St. Lucie River in in Stuart, Fla., has been revised to allow for repairs to damage sustained when one of the bridge’s bumpers was damaged by a barge on Sept. 30. WQCS Radio reports the new schedule approved by the U.S. Coast Guard […]
Read More…