- Mar 1, 2017
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Brightline's rail construction to Orlando is really impressive, but there are still a lot of reasons to be skeptical.I know rail in Florida has historically been (makes fart noise), but Brightline has been a real bright spot. Sure they've had a slight delay here and there, but they already consistently operate two legs and have work well underway on the West Palm to Orlando leg. Not even a pandemic and economic collapse was able to stop it, which is really impressive.
Sunrail on the other hand...
For one, I wouldn't exactly call the two existing legs "operating". And their financial problems are substantial.
On the west coast, they've had to indefinitely delay construction of the LA-Vegas project after failing to sell their junk bonds.
Fortress Fails to Sell Record Bond Deal for Las Vegas Rail
In South Florida, they're begging Miami-Dade to set up a standard commuter service on their tracks in hopes of an access payment that could be up to $12 million annually after a one-time payment of $50 million (which is less than Brightline's original request). This is the same thing they're now trying in Orlando to get money from Sunrail . . . except Sunrail has no money so I'm not sure how they expect it to work.
Today Brightline gave an update presentation to CFX which had some good information about their progress and plans for future expansion. Among that information was:
- Orlando extension construction will finish in 2022, service begins in 2023
- They intend to go to Disney along 417 rather than 528 unless the NEPA process dictates otherwise
- Track between MCO and Disney will have lower speeds and trip time of 22-25 minutes
- Brightline does not expect to market MCO to Disney tickets
- They will enter Disney property along 536 (World/Epcot Center Drive)
- They expect a substantial public funding component for MCO-Disney
- One of the slides said
Planned extension to Tampa (2029)