We want more high-speed rail service in Florida, especially in Tampa. The potential for a speedy connection from Tampa to Orlando is officially in the works. We’re already imagining a traffic-free excursion to Disney – or better yet a leisurely ride from Tampa all the way to Miami.
“It’s a big part of our future, right? We love Tampa. Tampa’s the next big market for us. You connect Tampa to the rest of this system and suddenly 75% of the state is within close proximity to a Brightline train. We like that a lot,” Brightline CEO Mike Reininger said in an interview with Fox 13.
ADVERTISEMENT
Hillsborough County Commissioner Harry Cohen believes a Tampa station is coming soon near Tampa’s Union Station between Ybor and Port Tampa. A map on the Brightline app also highlights a Tampa station in the works.
Brightline could one day connect Tampa and Orlando
Officials recently debuted a new spot in the heart of Orlando, and Brightline West will soon provide service between Vegas and Southern California.
Brightline launched operations in South Florida in 2018, connecting Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. Stations in Boca Raton and Aventura opened last year. Construction on its 170-mile extension from West Palm Beach to Orlando began in 2019.
ADVERTISEMENT
The $6 billion project has generated substantial economic benefits in Florida creating 10,000 jobs and approximately $6.4 billion in direct economic impact to the region, according to Brightline officials. Construction teams worked more than seven million hours over the course of four years to complete the project.
Covering more than 200 miles in Florida
Brightline covers 235 miles between Miami and Orlando and the new route will take between 3 and 3.5 hours depending on South Florida station stops.
The surging popularity of Tampa International Airport and the announcement of the huge new Rays Stadium in St. Pete are major factors that could help make this Brightline expansion a reality.
Visit Brightline’s website to learn more about its current service offerings.
What to read next:
- Harlem Globetrotters return to Tampa in 2024
- 3 essential Tampa dive bars
- Savannah Bananas return to Tampa’s Steinbrenner Field
- New coffee shop: Sorbo, an Asian culture-inspired cafe
ADVERTISEMENT
