Government approves stretch for high-speed train between South Florida and Orlando

The Brightline high-speed train linking South Florida to Orlando may begin to operate even earlier than planned. According to a statement from the company, the next phase of the rail passenger service has been approved by the federal government and is expected to begin construction in the first quarter of 2018.

Recently, the Federal Railroad Administration issued a statement including the route from Miami to Orlando in the next phase of construction of the company. “This is the most critical and final step in extending Brightline’s service to Orlando, and we look forward to moving forward,” Brightline CEO Dave Howard said.

The construction phase between the routes of Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach is still in testing and was expected to start operating in 2017, but with a week to the end of the year, both ticket prices and the start date of the operation are announced as “Soon” by the company.

The train ride from West Palm Beach to Fort Lauderdale will be made in 30 minutes and another 30 minutes to Miami. Now the trip from Miami to Orlando will take three hours, one hour less if you compare the trip by car or bus, officials estimate.