Brightline makes history as fastest Florida train, kicks off cruise marketing

The historic accomplishment took place while Brightline conducted train testing along its new 35-mile rail corridor between Orlando International Airport and Cocoa, Florida.

During testing, Brightline trains are required to test faster than planned operating speeds. Once carrying passengers, Brightline trains will travel at 125 mph maximum.

'Reaching 130 isn’t just another milestone to our team, but the continuation of a dream that we’ve been working towards for several years,' said Patrick Goddard, president of Brightline Trains. 'More importantly, this historic feat brings us one step closer to launching Brightline service between Orlando and Miami.'

'Florida has alway been at the forefront of train travel since the days when Henry Flagler connected Jacksonville to the Keys,' said Jim Kovalsky, president, Florida East Coast Railway Society. 'Back then, there were reports that trains ran at 100 mph, but no one ever dreamed of reaching 130 mph. Brightline dreamed big and did it. History has been made and Henry Flagler would be proud.'

Set to open this year, the Orlando Station will connect two of the most congested city pairs in the nation by whisking passengers between south and central Florida in about three hours.

Brightline currently serves Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach.

Cruise convenience

For cruisers, the intercity rail system is already making a seagoing vacation departing South Florida easier. Passengers can connect to South Florida ports through a partnership with Uber to reach PortMiami, Port Everglades and Port of Palm Beach — skipping the headache of I95 traffic and port parking.

Travelers can request a Brightline+ ride when booking a train ticket to and from these three cruise ports. Premium fares include a complimentary Brightline+ Uber ride to and from the local ports as well as access to first-class station lounges with food and beverage options, priority boarding, extra space and onboard beverages, cocktails and snacks along the way.

Details: gobrightline.com/offer-details/cruise.

Uber partnership

In January, Brightline announced a partnership with Uber to expand the Brightline+ fleet of mobility options for riders and to offer access to unlimited first and last-mile options at an affordable rate. The service has received rapid adoption with nearly one-third of Brightline riders using it.

The opening of the Orlando station later this year will offer cruisers the opportunity to create a vacation combining one of Central Florida’s many attractions with a cruise departing South Florida.

'From Station to Vacation'

'Brightline’s new marketing campaign, "From Station to Vacation," is aimed at raising awareness how our seamless experience reduces the friction points of travel to take a cruise from South Florida,' said Barbara Drahl, SVP marketing and commercial strategy, Brightline. 'Cruisers were among Brightline’s earliest adopters, and the opening of Orlando will only strengthen that connection. We look forward to working more closely with our colleagues in cruise and the travel industry to continue to deliver on our brand promise of creating a brighter way to travel.'