Brightline unveils new train station that will provide daily rides to Miami
Traveling from Orlando to Miami just got a lot easier.
On Thursday, South Florida-based train company Brightline unveiled its brand-new station at Orlando International Airport (MCO). The train will connect travelers from Orlando to South Florida daily beginning as early as this summer.
The Points Guy shared the news of the station that has been in the works for decades.
The outlet states that Kevin Thibault, CEO of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, said the design for the transportation hub was first included in airport plans in March 1977.
Now, 46 years later, the 37,350-square-foot station is connected to the airport’s newly opened terminal C.
Brightline President Patrick Goddard revealed the new station to excited travelers and the press. “This is our flagship station in Central Florida,” This is where millions of people are going to be able to board and get down to South Florida.”
Brightline will make 16 round-trip trains daily, with the first train departing from MCO at 5 a.m. and the first departing from Miami at 6:50 a.m. The service will include non-stop ride options with a runtime of under 3 hours and another route stopping at West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Aventura and Miami. This route will be over 3 hours and 30 minutes.
There are two ticket classes offered on the new transport. The Smart class is the most affordable option beginning at $79 and the Premium class tickets start at $149.
Premium includes slightly larger seats and additional perks.
Although quick inter-state travel is not new, the Brightline is different from your average train.
“This is not your grandma’s train,” said Goddard, “This is not Amtrak ... [it’s] unlike anything that you’ve ever experienced before. This is gonna be transformative for people traveling in the state of Florida.”
Premium ticket holders can wait for the train in a spacious private lounge featuring a variety of seating, plenty of power outlets and complimentary drinks and snacks.
Smart-class passengers aren’t left out. They wait in comfortable seating on the west side of the station or pull up a chair at Brightline’s signature Mary Mary Bar.
There is even a kid’s play area to keep young travelers occupied until the train arrives.
Tickets for the first runs of the train will be available for sale in May.
Martie Bowser is a journalist and public relations professional in Charlotte, NC. She enjoys amplifying the voices of POC and women that fill a void within their community. Her favorite things to cover include “person of interest” pieces, small business highlights, pop culture commentary, entertainment features, and everything about Beyoncé. Her bylines can be found in Blavity, Black Excellence, Signature Bride, Black Wall Street Times, and HipHop Weekly.