, Miami Herald; September 14, 2018
After years of planning, lobbying and long delays, the privately funded Brightline express rail system launched service last fall between West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale; this year it initiated service between West Palm Beach, Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Service from West Palm to Orlando is under development, with construction expected to begin later this year. The state recently approved tax-exempt status for $1.75 billion in bonds. The rail company, owned by All Aboard Florida, is also looking at adding service between Orlando and Tampa.
Its track hasn’t run smoothly. Some Treasure Coast residents have vocally opposed the service, citing concerns about noise and delays for fire-and-rescue teams. Since testing began in 2017, Brightline trains have tragically killed seven people; the train service has not been cited. A series of changes in executive ranks raised spectulation of trouble within the organization.
Click here to read the full story.