In an effort to extend its route options, high-speed rail operator Brightline may be seeking to connect at “The Happiest Place on Earth” for its Tampa-to-Orlando route. It was announced on Wednesay, Nov. 28 that the Tampa-to-Orlando train moved one step closer to reality when the Florida Department of Transportation announced that it has agreed to move forward negotiating with Brightline for right of way leases.
The company teamed up with Virgin Trains USA to build a $1.7 billion privately financed rail line between the Tampa and Orlando along the I-4 corridor. Documents filed earlier this month with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission include a map that has a Disney station featured along the route. The documents also claim that the Tampa-to-Orlando travel time will be one hour. A one-way ticket would cost $35.
On the other hand, the Miami-to-Orlando service will take approximately three hours and 15 minutes and one-way tickets would cost $100.
However, a map that showed a possible Disney station in the SEC filing was not mentioned in the proposal to FDOT, and Disney has not yet reportedly committed on the project.
Bob O’Malley, Brightline’s vice president of governmental affairs, previously spoke during an event at the Tampa International Airport and did mention including additional stops such as at theme parks though.
Brightline is currently operating passenger service between Miami and West Palm Beach.
By: Maytinee Kramer
