Brightline Sets Start Date for Orlando Service

All aboard!

High-speed passenger rail service will finally commence in and out of Orlando International Airport this year.

Credit: Brightline

Brightline, Florida’s private passenger rail service announced that it will be ready to connect travelers and tourists to Orlando and South Florida by late Spring or Early Summer.

According to Tampa Bay Business Journal, 

“Train service from South Florida to Orlando is expected to start in the second quarter of 2023, Brightline stated in its latest report to bondholders.

Brightline’s monthly revenue and ridership report for January stated that the overall rail connection between Orlando and West Palm Beach is now more than 90% complete. The Miami-based passenger train company also stated that its 37,350-square-foot train station at Orlando International Airport should be substantially complete by March.”

Brightline officials also said they will increase testing speeds on the new rail connection from 110 mph to 125 mph.

Originally unofficially dubbed as the would-be “Train to Disney World,” Brightline’s initial expansion plans involved growing beyond its South East corridor (which currently services Miami, Aventura, Ft. Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and Boca Raton) to the Orlando Metro Area with stops planned at Orlando International Airport and Walt Disney World Resort Property. However, the interference of a plethora of other local interests that have consolidated into a campaign called the Sunshine Corridor has convinced Brightline to nix the Disney World Station for two other stations by the Orange County Convention Center (with the help of nearby Universal Orlando Resort) and other I-Drive attractions as part of the rail line’s overall plans to reach Tampa.

Credit: Spectrum News 13

Read More: Universal Reveals Plans for Train Station Connecting Guests to Orlando Airport

While there has been no word from Disney, it is easy to speculate on shuttle bus services being available at the future I-Drive station, and it should be noted that Brightline already offers easy and affordable transfers from Miami Central Station to the Port of Miami Cruise Terminals, which will provide Disney Cruise Line Passengers another logical airport option for any Disney Cruises out of Miami.

This news follows the debut of Brightline’s elegant new station at Orlando International Airport’s new Terminal C. Click the link below to see the video and read more of that previous story.

Credit: Brightline

Read More: Video: Brightline Unveils New Station at Orlando Airport

At the time of this article’s publication, it is unclear when the inaugural train will arrive and/or depart from MCO, but we will stay on top of this story and will update our readers as more details come to light.