Brightline Trains Florida update

[JWM]

even so, the blame is also partly with Brightline IMHO. Anybody with any knowledge of international trains could have told them that Virgin trains was not exactly covering itself in glory in any of its UK activities, and that the Virgin brand as a whole was taking a serious knocking as a result of this. If Brightline honestly believed they could ride on Branson's coattails, they were seriously deluding themselves.

You are correct. As an "operating company" for National Rail, Virgin had its franchise yanked for the Euston-Glasgow West Coast Main Line.

 

[cirdan]

You are correct. As an "operating company" for National Rail, Virgin had its franchise yanked for the Euston-Glasgow West Coast Main Line.

Virgin also lost its franchise for Cross Country

When they first acquired these franchises they went in swinging and shouting from the rooftops that they were going to do massive investments and that it was going to be a new age of rail travel and a renaissance of the railways and everything was going to change and be so much better, and that their trains would be the envy of the world.

Needless to say, most of it never happened.

 

[Devil's Advocate]

The total number of failed Virgin branded companies is hilariously long but these are a few examples...

14 Virgin companies that even Richard Branson could not stop going bust

Virgin has plastered its name on everything from airlines to wine clubs to underwear.

www.businessinsider.com

 

[jis]

The total number of failed Virgin branded companies is hilariously long but these are a few examples...

14 Virgin companies that even Richard Branson could not stop going bust

Virgin has plastered its name on everything from airlines to wine clubs to underwear.

www.businessinsider.com

There is a pretty good rundown of all of Virgin's successes and failures and which ones are actually owned by Virgin Group and which are just branding agreements.

Brightline was one of these branding agreements and lasted about two years and ended in 2020 AFAIK before any train was actually painted in the proposed grody red scheme. The stations did get the branding however. I frankly hated the thought of the nice soothing Brightline livery replaced by what I consider to be ugly Red Virgin livery that was proposed, and celebrated the day the departure of Branson from Brightline was announced.

 

[VentureForth]

From Terminal Top Parking, deck 10, just a bit ago...
View attachment IMG_0549.mov

 

[jis]

Brightline testing set for Melbourne, Brevard County area - Trains

MELBOURNE, Fla. — Brightline testing at speeds up to 110 mph will move into the Melbourne area as soon as this Friday, July 28, as the passenger operator continues preparations to launch service between Orlando and South Florida later this summer. Testing will take place on approximately 41...

www.trains.com

I need to go and check it out. If only there were a way to get info on when and where. Maybe someone at FECRS knows.

 

[VentureForth]

Brightline testing set for Melbourne, Brevard County area - Trains

MELBOURNE, Fla. — Brightline testing at speeds up to 110 mph will move into the Melbourne area as soon as this Friday, July 28, as the passenger operator continues preparations to launch service between Orlando and South Florida later this summer. Testing will take place on approximately 41...

www.trains.com

I need to go and check it out. If only there were a way to get info on when and where. Maybe someone at FECRS knows.

Post it if you find out. I'd love to go out and watch! Maybe I'll stop at the Sonic on Babcock and look for the flaggers at that crossing.

 

[jis]

Post it if you find out. I'd love to go out and watch! Maybe I'll stop at the Sonic on Babcock and look for the flaggers at that crossing.

Let me know if you do find flaggers.

 

[Anderson]

2021    November     61,045     0.6         $  582,979    $ 9.83    $ 9.55    0.8     $13.11
2021    December     95,348     1.3         $1,259,547    $13.63    $13.21    1.6     $13.63

2021                156,393     1.8         $1,842,309    $11.51    $11.78    2.4*    $15.34

Year    Month       Ridership   Tix Rev-A    Tix Rev-B     PPR-A     PPR-B    Tot Rev  Total PPR
2022    January      64,243     1.3         $1,254,666    $20.24    $19.53    1.5     $23.35
2022    February     77,806     1.6         $1,624,589    $20.56    $20.88    1.9     $24.42
2022    March       107,069     2.3         $2,289,135    $21.48    $21.38    2.7     $25.22
2022    April        93,922     1.9         $1,926,340    $20.23    $20.51    2.3     $24.49
2022    May         102,796     2.2         $2,178,247    $21.40    $21.19    2.6     $25.29
2022    June         92,304     1.7         $1,713,162    $18.42    $18.56    2.1     $22.75
2022    July        111,582     1.9         $1,896,894    $17.03    $17.00    2.3     $20.61
2022    August      100,116     1.9         $1,917,221    $18.98    $19.15    2.4     $23.97
2022    September    91,577     1.8         $1,769,268    $19.66    $19.32    2.5     $27.30
2022    October     102,615     2.1         $2,126,183    $20.46    $20.72    3.0     $29.24
2022    November    102,544     2.2         $2,213,925    $21.45    $21.59    3.4     $33.16
2022    December    183,920     3.7         $3,733,576    $20.12    $20.30    5.1     $27.73
                    
2022                1,230,494  24.6        $24,643,207    $19.99             31.8     $25.84

2023    January     156,137     3.5         $3,538,064    $22.41    $22.66    4.7     $30.10
2023    February    151,654     3.7         $3,654,861    $24.39    $24.10    4.7     $30.99
2023    March       179,576     4.7         $4,710,278    $26.17    $26.23    6.5     $36.20
2023    April       151,080     3.4         $3,446,135    $22.50    $22.81    4.9     $32.43
2023    May         168,137     3.5         $3,468,666    $20.82    $20.63    5.2     $30.93
2023    June        149,536     2.7         $2,706,602    $18.06    $18.10    4.2     $28.09

Updated to include May, 2023 and June,, 2023

 

[PaTrainFan]

Good in-depth story from CNBC.

How Brightline is changing passenger rail in the U.S.

How Brightline is changing passenger rail in the U.S.

Brightline is looking to connect the U.S. with passenger rail, starting with its Florida project, and moving on to create a high-speed line on the west coast.

www.cnbc.com

 

[Brian_tampa]

It appears that Brightline is not selling tickets for their Orlando service until September 15th now. Either the first 15 days of September have sold out every train or they have quietly pushed back the start of service to Orlando.

Has anyone who bought tickets before September 15th received any notice yet?

Their website shows 'No Trains' for Sept 1 through Sept 14

 

[bonzoesc]

Has anyone who bought tickets before September 15th received any notice yet?

Their website shows 'No Trains' for Sept 1 through Sept 14

My ticket looks fine as of a moment ago, but we’ll see.

 

[Anderson]

I'm seeing this as well. I initially presumed it was a website glitch.

 

[jis]

Interestingly they have not cancelled my ticket yet, but indeed no new tickets are available upto September 14th

 

[bonzoesc]

I wonder if it’s a risk mitigation thing; if there’s suddenly a question if they’ll be up and running, pausing sales might mean less customer service and accounting work.

Or it is in fact sold out, which would be good to see.

 

[Anderson]

14 days of fully sold out trains seems...unlikely.

 

[joelkfla]

Brightline posted this on Facebook last week, pleading for ticket purchases! Clearly not sold out.

 

[bonzoesc]

Thank you for booking tickets to be part of the inaugural rides between South Florida and Orlando.

We’re working hard to launch service for Brightline Orlando Station but will not begin operating September 1 as planned. We’re in the final stages of certification and will announce a confirmed opening date soon.

Your trip is canceled, and we want to provide you with as much notice as possible so you can adjust your plans.

 

[Anderson]

This is...actually potentially fortuitous, as it moves the probable start of service into line with a pre-planned trip to FL for me.

 

[pennyk]

According to the Orlando Sentinel, service start to Miami has been delayed 2 weeks and that customers who purchased tickets for Sept 1-5 were notified today that they would get refunds and upgrade credits. (article may be under paywall)

Brightline delays Miami-Orlando service start by 2 weeks

Brightline passengers who purchased tickets for the intended inaugural weekend of Sept. 1 through Sept. 5 were being notified Monday that along with refunds they would get upgrade credits

www.orlandosentinel.com

Tickets are now on sale on Brightline’s website, for service starting Friday, Sept. 15, though company officials said service could start sooner and passengers whose tickets were cancelled will get first notification.

 

[joelkfla]

According to the Orlando Sentinel, service start to Miami has been delayed 2 weeks and that customers who purchased tickets for Sept 1-5 were notified today that they would get refunds and upgrade credits. (article may be under paywall)

Brightline delays Miami-Orlando service start by 2 weeks

Brightline passengers who purchased tickets for the intended inaugural weekend of Sept. 1 through Sept. 5 were being notified Monday that along with refunds they would get upgrade credits

www.orlandosentinel.com

Penny beat me to it, but this "gifted" link should be unlocked:

Brightline delays Miami-Orlando service start by 2 weeks

Brightline passengers who purchased tickets for the intended inaugural weekend of Sept. 1 through Sept. 5 were being notified Monday that along with refunds they would get upgrade credits

www.orlandosentinel.com

 

[pennyk]

I recently received the following email, which is perlexing since I have not made any reservations on Brightline to Miami yet (although I have searched fares and times):

Thank you for booking tickets to be part of the inaugural rides between South Florida and Orlando.

We’re working hard to launch service for Brightline Orlando Station but will not begin operating September 1 as planned. We’re in the final stages of certification and will announce a confirmed opening date soon.

Your trip is canceled, and we want to provide you with as much notice as possible so you can adjust your plans. Below are the steps we’re taking:

• We’re refunding your original ticket purchase in full.
  
  
• Additionally, we’re gifting you PREMIUM credits for future use, equivalent to the party size of your original purchase.
  
  
• If you still need to travel on your original dates, our rental car partner Avis is providing an exclusive discount for up to 35% off base rates on your Avis car rental. Please expect an additional email within 24-48 hrs with more details.
  
  
• Since your original ride was booked on our first available day, you’ll be the first to know our confirmed opening date, ahead of everyone else.

These changes will become visible on your Brightline account and by email within the next 3-5 business days.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your understanding as we strive to provide you with the highest standard of service.

If you have any further questions, please refer to our Help Center to learn more or get in touch.

We look forward to welcoming you aboard Brightline soon.

 

[jis]

I got an email like that too, though I actually do have a ticket to refund. In any case, never look a gift horse in the mouth and run with the Premium Credits

 

[pennyk]

I got an email like that too, though I actually do have a ticket to refund. In any case, never look a gift horse in the mouth and run with the Premium Credits

I am guessing I will not get the credits, but it would be nice since I was searching for fares for 4 people for mid September.

 

[Bob Dylan]

I recently received the following email, which is perlexing since I have not made any reservations on Brightline to Miami yet (although I have searched fares and times):

Thank you for booking tickets to be part of the inaugural rides between South Florida and Orlando.

We’re working hard to launch service for Brightline Orlando Station but will not begin operating September 1 as planned. We’re in the final stages of certification and will announce a confirmed opening date soon.

Your trip is canceled, and we want to provide you with as much notice as possible so you can adjust your plans. Below are the steps we’re taking:

• We’re refunding your original ticket purchase in full.
  
  
• Additionally, we’re gifting you PREMIUM credits for future use, equivalent to the party size of your original purchase.
  
  
• If you still need to travel on your original dates, our rental car partner Avis is providing an exclusive discount for up to 35% off base rates on your Avis car rental. Please expect an additional email within 24-48 hrs with more details.
  
  
• Since your original ride was booked on our first available day, you’ll be the first to know our confirmed opening date, ahead of everyone else.

These changes will become visible on your Brightline account and by email within the next 3-5 business days.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your understanding as we strive to provide you with the highest standard of service.

If you have any further questions, please refer to our Help Center to learn more or get in touch.

We look forward to welcoming you aboard Brightline soon.

Maybe Brightline bought a List of everyone who rides trains around Orlando and sent out a Robo Mail to all???

I get these from Airlines I haven't flown on in Years or Ever!!!!