High-speed rail in the U.S. has new promise, and new pitfalls

By Patrick Sisson, Curbed; May 3, 2019 During a press conference last month to announce that his multifaceted Virgin brand…

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Florida: More people rode Virgin’s Brightline train in March. Are 2019 goals now in reach?

By Rob Wile, Miami Herald; April 24, 2019 Ridership on Virgin’s express train may finally be on track to meet…

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Central Florida: SunRail Eyes Record Ridership and Future Expansions

By Greg Angel, Spectrum News 13; April 23, 2019 ORLANDO, Fla. — It’s just before noon and the northbound SunRail…

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Florida: Virgin Trains finally set to launch construction of West Palm Beach-to-Orlando link

By Rob Wile, Miami Herald; April 19, 2019 Virgin announced Friday it is finally set to build its West Palm…

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Richard Branson’s new high-speed train links luxe condos in Florida

By Christopher Cameron, New York Post; April 18, 2019 Virgin Trains USA — South Florida’s new express-train service, a collab…

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Fort Pierce vs. Stuart: Which Florida Treasure Coast city is best fit for Virgin Trains station?

By Keona Gardner, Treasure Coast Newspapers, TCPalm.com; April 18, 2019 It’s been eight months since Virgin Trains USA, formerly Brightline,…

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Miami: Tri-Rail train stations in Midtown and Little River? Report makes case for new local stops

By Rob Wile and Joey Flechas, Miami Herald; April 18, 2019 Tri-Rail has yet to arrive at MiamiCentral Station, where…

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Richard Branson seeking tie-ins to Las Vegas hotel, planned train

By Richard N. Velotta, Las Vegas Review-Journal; April 13, 2019 Richard Branson, whose Virgin Group brand is expected to have…

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Opinion: Amtrak isn’t working. Could private rail do better?

By Nick Zaiac, Washington Examiner; April 11, 2019 The story of rate regulation, decline, nationalization and privatization of passenger rail…

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Florida’s Indian River County files appeal of federal lawsuit regarding Virgin Trains’ sale of tax-free bonds

By Colleen Wixon, Treasure Coast Newspapers, TCPalm.com; April 10, 2019 INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The county officially filed its appeal of…

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Richard Branson Hypnotized Me and Stole My Watch

By Laine Doss, Miami New Times; April 5, 2019 It’s about 5 p.m. and Richard Branson is visibly tired.  The…

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Florida Development Finance Corp. approves $950M in bonds for Virgin Trains USA’s Orlando-to-Miami route

By Ryan Lynch, Staff Writer, Orlando Business Journal; April 5, 2019 Virgin Trains USA just received a big boost for…

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Virgin Trains plans to link with Disney World, SunRail at same time as Orlando International Airport

By Kevin Spear, Reporter, Orlando Sentinel; April 4, 2019 The train that will run from South to Central Florida is…

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Sir Richard Branson-backed Virgin Trains USA locks up funding for Orlando leg

By Ryan Lynch, Staff Writer, Orlando Business Journal; April 4, 2019 Virgin Trains USA on April 4 announced its $2.3…

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Billionaire Richard Branson visits South Florida to rebrand Brightline as Virgin Trains (Photos)

By Brian Bandell, Senior Reporter, South Florida Business Journal; April 4, 2019 Billionaire Richard Branson visited South Florida on Thursday…

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Florida: Brightline trains often seem empty. Is it a sign of trouble, or just growing pains?

Editor’s Note: The story below is representative of reporting on a new passenger rail project when neither the report nor…

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Brightline now will be called Virgin Trains USA. Here’s what to expect next week and beyond.

By David Lyons, Reporter, South Florida Sun Sentinel; March 29, 2019 One year after the Brightline commuter rail line unveiled…

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Challenges and opportunities as Brightline expands: A conversation with MetroPlan Orlando’s Gary Huttmann

By Ryan Lynch, Staff Writer, Orlando Business Journal; March 28, 2019 The $5 billion Brightline passenger train is expected to…

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Virgin Trains USA’s Patrick Goddard Wants to Get Americans Out of Their Cars

By Meredith Carey, Conde Nast Traveler; March 27, 2019 ‘Innovators’ chronicles our treks behind the scenes with travel’s disruptors and…

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Florida: Virgin Trains USA reveals more plan details in new prospectus

By Scott Powers, FloridaPolitics.com; March 22, 2019 Virgin Trains USA has issued a new bond sale prospectus parparing for the…

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I’ll give up booze, Netflix, even sex to avoid traffic jams, South Florida drivers tell new train service survey

By Johnny Diaz, South Florida Sun Sentinel, Mass Transit Magazine; March 14, 2019 Mar. 13–A lot of South Florida drivers,…

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Traveling Around Florida? Ditch the Car and Ride the Rails, Says Virgin

By Tariro Mzezewa, The New York Times; March 7, 2019 Entering the newest train station in Miami is a bit…

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Florida: Brightline says it’s ready to build its Orlando extension, requests $950M in bonds

By Jim Turner, News Service of Florida, Miami Herald; March 2, 2019 Brightline rail service largely drew praise from businesses,…

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Polk County, Florida opinion about SunRail Phase 3: Polk’s path to future mobility

By Darren Soto, Guest Columnist, Herald-Tribune; February 28, 2019 Florida will one day soon connect most major cities via fast…

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Florida Treasure Coast safety group vows to keep up the battle as Virgin Trains’ Phase 2 expansion gets closer

By Colleen Wixon, Treasure Coast Newspapers, TCPalm.com; February 26, 2019 VERO BEACH — St. Lucie Village resident Anne Sinnott, who travels…

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