Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersDecember 13, 2018

Brightline expects to start construction this winter on its planned, privately owned, higher-speed passenger railroad connecting South Florida to Orlando and envisions the first trains to start rolling into Orlando International Airport as soon as late 2021. Patrick Goddard, president and chief executive officer of Virgin Trains USA, also known as Brightline and formerly known as […]

Scott PowersNovember 29, 2018

Brightline’s proposal to build and operate a higher-speed passenger train from Tampa to Orlando includes provisions for three possible stops in the Orlando area, including one that could serve Walt Disney World and one that could resolve Orlando’s frustrated desire to connect SunRail to the airport. The new Brightline proposal, submitted Nov. 7 and accepted Wednesday […]

Scott PowersNovember 28, 2018

The Florida Department of Transportation decided Wednesday to move forward with negotiations to lease state-owned land in a corridor between Orlando and Tampa for a higher-speed passenger train rail to be developed and operated by Brightline. The private South Florida company that is becoming Virgin Trains USA had submitted the only proposal to the state […]

Scott PowersNovember 27, 2018

Characterizing Virgin Trains USA’s agreement offering safety upgrades while ending some longtime opposition as a good first step, more is needed, state Sen. Debbie Mayfield said Tuesday. Mayfield intends to keep the pressure on the private railroad company seeking to extend passenger train service. Over the weekend, Virgin Trains USA, formerly known as Brightline (and All Aboard […]

Scott PowersNovember 8, 2018

Brightline, the operator of the new South Florida private passenger train service with plans to extend to Orlando, has submitted the only proposal to Florida officials for a proposed new route from Orlando to Tampa. The Florida Department of Transportation announced late Wednesday that Brightline, which initiated the process by submitting an unsolicited proposal in […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorSeptember 21, 2018

Commuter passes will be available for high-speed rail travel between Tampa and Orlando if the route comes to fruition. Brightline Vice President of Government Affairs Bob O’Malley said the private company would consider monthly packages similar to what it offers in South Florida, which cost $300 a month for unlimited rides. Such a transit amenity […]

Scott PowersSeptember 18, 2018

Brightline, the operator of the private passenger train service in South Florida with approval for high-speed trains into Orlando and longer-term vision to Tampa, announced Tuesday it is buying the project of a proposed high-speed train to link Las Vegas and Southern California. Brightline, long known as All Aboard Florida, announced Tuesday it has reached […]

Scott PowersAugust 29, 2018

All Aboard Florida received state approval Wednesday to sell $1.75 billion in federal private equity bonds to extend its private, high-speed, Brightline passenger train system from South Florida to Orlando. Meeting in Orlando, the Florida Development Finance Corp. board voted unanimously to grant state permission for the financing after more than three hours of public […]

Scott PowersAugust 1, 2018

The organization at the center of opposition to All Aboard Florida’s plans to extend a higher-speed passenger train railway from South Florida to Orlando announced Wednesday it is designating U.S. Reps. Brian Mast and Bill Posey as “champions” after grading politicians on their positions regarding the train. Citizens Against Rail Expansion – Florida gave both […]

Scott PowersJuly 19, 2018

Martin and Indian River counties and Citizens Against Rail Expansion Florida are asking a federal judge to vacate the federal approval that would allow All Aboard Florida to sell $1.15 billion in private activity bonds to finance the railway expansion to send higher-speed Brightline passenger trains between Souh Florida and Orlando. In a federal case […]

Tag: brightline

Brightline expects trains to roll into Orlando as soon as 2021

Brightline Tampa-Orlando proposal discusses Disney, SunRail stops

Florida opens lease negotiations with Brightline for Orlando-Tampa train corridor

Debbie Mayfield intends to keep pressure on Virgin Trains USA

Brightline submits only proposal for Orlando-Tampa train line

On the right track? Brightline could create Tampa/Orlando super region

Brightline buying Las Vegas-California high-speed train project

Brightline gets state approval to sell construction bonds

Anti-rail expansion group extolls Brian Mast, Bill Posey, others

Martin, Indian River counties ask federal judge to stop Brightline’s bonds