Thursday marked another major milestone for Brightline, as the South Florida-based train company unveiled its brand new station at Orlando International Airport (MCO). The local community and members of the media were present at the grand launch, bringing Brightline one step closer to officially launching passenger service between Miami and Orlando.
The terminal has (literally) been in the making for decades, as Kevin Thibault, CEO of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority pointed out in his opening remarks. He noted that the airport design criteria from March 1977 included a permanent transit hub on the airport’s premises.
More than 46 years later, that vision is now a reality.
Here’s all you need to know.
Where is Orlando International Airport (MCO) Brightline Station?
Connected to Terminal C (newly opening September 2022), the station is bright, airy, and packed with amenities not typically found in passenger train stations in the United States. After a short walk and escalator ride, passengers pass through simple security gates, where the only requirement is to send your bag through an X-ray machine.
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From there, the station opens into a large common area located directly above the two tracks currently being installed, with many amenities for all passengers.
How much it costs?
Brightline offers two types of services on its trains: Smart is the affordable option, while Premium includes slightly larger seats and extra perks. Both are important steps compared to other train services in the country. Brightline tickets will start at $79 for the Smart fare and $149 for the Premium fare.
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“This is not your grandmother’s train,” said Patrick Goddard, president of Brightline. “This is not Amtrak… [it’s] unlike anything you’ve ever experienced before. This will be transformative for people traveling in the state of Florida.”
What lounges will Orlando Brightline Station offer?
Premium passengers have access to the spacious lounge just to the right of the main entrance of the terminal. It has plenty of seating, plenty of power outlets, and free drinks and snacks.
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Smart ticket holders can wait for their train in a comfortable seat on the west side of the station or pull up a chair at Brightline’s signature Mary Mary Bar, which serves craft cocktails, beer, wine and snacks for purchase.
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Like other stations in South Florida, Orlando will have Mrkt take away, with plenty of snacks and drinks to buy.
There’s even a dedicated children’s area for younger travelers to stay until it’s time to board.
When does the Brightline to Orlando service start?
Of course, the big question on everyone’s mind remains when (exactly) passenger service between Orlando and Miami will launch. No specific date has been announced. However, Goddard told TPG that tickets will go on sale in May, and they’re still on track for a summer launch — pending the completion of required testing and certification from the Federal Railroad Administration.
Related: A first look inside Brightline’s $100 million train maintenance facility in Orlando
What will the Brightline schedule look like?
Initially, Brightline will run 16 round-trip trains per day, with the first southbound train departing from the MCO at 5 a.m. and the first northbound train departing Miami at 6:50 a.m. weekdays and 5:45am on weekends. Hourly service will include direct trains (with a run time of 2 hours 59 minutes), as well as trains that stop at West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Aventura and Miami (3 hours 30 minutes) .
Related: Brightline bullet train service expands in South Florida
The excitement over what this means for the state was on full display during the launch event.
“You have 20 million people and growing in the state, you have 130 million visitors, and you have about 35 million cars on the highways every year between Central and South Florida,” says Goddard. “Can get on a train, can go door-to-door and sit on leather couches, watch a movie and have a cocktail, have a snack and have [a great] Ship bathrooms are transformative in terms of people’s experience with the state.”
Brightline isn’t done yet. The company owns about 70 acres of land in Cocoa, Florida, just a short drive from Port Canaveral — making it a strong candidate for a future stopover. It also plans to expand to Tampa and is working with SunRail, Central Florida’s commuter train operator, on connectivity options to downtown Orlando, the convention center and more.
Related: Florida’s new bullet train makes its first test run to Orlando airport
All of this means that getting around the Sunshine State in the coming years may require fewer roads and more rails, a concept that has long seemed unthinkable.
“Whether you’re a business traveler or a first-time visitor, you’ll say, ‘Oh my God, I can’t believe they have such a quality train right here in this country,'” Goddard added. “I think it will change the game.”
If the Orlando station is any indication, Brightline is clearly on track to deliver on this premise.
Additional reporting by Clint Henderson.
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