MIAMI — Brightline trains have hit and killed more than 180 people since the passenger service began operation in South Florida — a higher toll than had been publicly recognized, the Miami Herald and public broadcaster WLRN report in a joint investigation that also looks at causes of the deaths and a lack of safeguards […]
ORLANDO, Fla. — Brightline has petitioned the Florida Development Finance Corp., seeking to have the state agency issue up to $400 million of private activity bond funding to advance design and planning for its long-sought extension to Tampa, as well as improvements to existing routes. The request for more debt financing comes as the company […]
MIAMI — The new Florida budget signed Monday by Gov. Ron DeSantis eliminates some $200 million in state funding for the proposed Miami-Aventura commuter rail project, the Miami Herald reports. The state money, along with Miami-Dade County funding, was intended to match $389.5 million in federal funds for the 14-mile, seven-station service planned on the […]
MIAMI — The finances of Brightline’s Florida operation have produced cautionary action by bond-rating agencies on Wall Street, which have downgraded the company’s bonds and notes over concerns about its ability to service its debt. The South Florida Sun Sentinel reports in a paywalled article that Fitch Group and Kroll Bond Rating Agency downgraded more […]
ORLANDO, Fla. — The governing body overseeing Orlando’s SunRail commuter operation has authorized a study of the Sunshine Corridor project, which would bring SunRail to Orlando International Airport and provide the first portion of a Brightline extension to Tampa. At an April 24 meeting, the Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission agreed to conduct a project […]
Here’s your latest installment of News Wire Recommended Reading, articles available online which Trains readers may find of interest: — The New York Times ran a pair of articles on high-speed rail earlier this month, the first on the various projects under consideration in the U.S. (which quotes, among others, Trains correspondent Bob Johnston), and […]
DELRAY BEACH, Fla. — The city manager of Delray Beach, Fla., told the driver of a fire truck hit by a Brightline train in a letter that he was being terminated for actions that cost the city “millions of dollars” and led to serious injuries to other firefighters and the public. The South Florida Sun […]
DELRAY BEACH, Fla. — The city of Delray Beach has dismissed the firefighter who was driving the fire truck struck by a Brightline train in December. City Manager Terrence Moore announced the firing of firefighter David Wyatt in a press release today (April 10), WPBF-TV reports. Moore said the incident “revealed a pattern of carelessness […]
MIAMI — Brightline has launched a program to reward frequent riders, offering points that can be redeemed for tickets and other items. The company said the program, announced today (April 4, 2025), will provide incentives for Florida residents, who make up 66% of riders, and repeat customers, who are 72% of the ridership, as well […]
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Brightline West is in the middle of finalizing $6 billion of bank loans and contracts with construction companies for its $12 billion, 218-mile Las Vegas-Southern California high speed rail venture after selling more than $2.5 billion in private activity bonds, according to Tracy Larkin-Thomason, Director of Nevada’s Department of Transportation. The […]
DELRAY BEACH, Fla. — Three firefighters who were placed on administrative leave after the collision between a Delray Beach fire truck and a Brightline train have been cleared of violating city policies and will not face further disciplinary action, the city of Delray Beach announced Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025. An investigation regarding a fourth firefighter […]
DELRAY BEACH, Fla. — The firefighter driving a Delray Beach fire truck when it was hit by a Brightline train has received a non-criminal traffic citation following an investigation by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. WPEC-TV reports the driver of the truck, David Wyatt, was issued the citation because he did not use “due […]
