Brightline Thread (East and West)

If they win the majority in a vote they will get a contract.

I’m sure that’s how it works in other industrialized countries.

https://x.com/BrightlineWest/status/1833225579522625688

5 Likes
7 Likes

The seventh Brightline station in Florida will not be constructed in the municipality of Stuart. It might be built in Fort Pierce instead.

1 Like

I like how one of the concerns is “potential traffic congestion.”

Isn’t the point of a passenger train to get people out of their cars?

3 Likes

As someone who lived in Stuart / Jensen Beach for ~7 years in 2003-2010: I am not surprised, but also – fucking c’mon, Stuart! :person_facepalming: They’re shooting themselves in the foot here. This was probably the current best place to put a station considering the tracks go right through a cute, reasonably walkable downtown area (for Florida).

Oh well. Fort Pierce is not as geographically hemmed in as Stuart is (pictures below), so I could see it ending up being the better choice in the long run if the station ends up surrounded by some serious Transit-Oriented Development, as right now I can’t see there being many passengers getting on or off here. If they do so, maybe Stuart will change their tune and they’ll get a station too… in 30 years.

Stuart

Ft Pierce

2 Likes

Both towns look pathetic from the air.

1 Like

It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than it is to successfully unionize in Florida.

1 Like
3 Likes

This is a few months old but still interesting. Brightline’s adding a 5th coach to trainsets to meet demand. They plan to make trains 7 cars long by next summer.
Brightline: More train cars, loyalty program on the horizon.

(Paywall Bypass)

Here’s a really good and in-depth look at the process of delivery, preparing and adding coaches to the Brightline trainsets.

6 Likes

I’m assuming the platforms are big enough to handle this?

From what I’ve heard, they can accomidate up to 10 cars. plus locomotives.

4 Likes

Too many stupid people living in the same area - seems a few even got jobs at the local firehouse.

1 Like

Good video showing the stupid firefighters trying to beat the train. The firemen survived, and are thus ineligible for the Darwin awards (sadly the driver of the fire truck is also ineligible for termination due to the fact that Florida firemen for some reason have a union in spite of the state’s general prohibition of organized labor).

4 Likes

He can still get fired for something like that. Time will tell.

1 Like

It’s ridiculous there is still no way to walk from the Brightline station to the mall. They’re right across the road from one another!

4 Likes

So many train stations in this country get built like this, then the average American doesn’t believe trains work. Imagine building a highway with no offramps.

3 Likes

SCTPO Receives $4.9M Rail Crossing Elimination Grant

VIERA, Fla. - The Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization announced an FRA Rail Crossing Elimination grant totaling $4.9 million.

The grant will go toward the design and construction of fifteen exit gates and two medians at seven grade crossings and is part of a $6.1 million safety investment in Brevard County, according to the report. Brevard County and the cities of Cocoa and Melbourne will provide a local match.

The seven grade crossing locations are listed below:

  1. Cocoa, FL. – Michigan Avenue: New median and exit gate
  2. Cocoa, Fl. – Dixon Blvd: New exit gates
  3. Cocoa, Fl. – West Highlands Drive: New exit gates
  4. Melbourne, Fl. – Masterson St: New exit gates
  5. Melbourne, Fl. – New Haven Avenue: New exit gates
  6. Melbourne, Fl. – Line St (W.H. Jackson St): New exit gates
  7. Micco, Fl. – Holly St: New exit gates

As Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization’s (SCTPO) partner, Brightline is leading the design and construction of the project.

SCTPO Executive Director Georganna Gillette said, “At the SCTPO, safety is our top priority as we plan for tomorrow’s transportation system. These proposed enhancements represent a significant step forward to ensure the safety of all road users, in alignment with Vision Zero goals to eliminate serious injuries and fatalities on roadways.” Gillette went on to say the SCTPO celebrates “this grant and the infrastructure safety enhancements it will bring[.] We also want to underscore the importance of motorists abiding by the laws of the road. Never attempt to go around crossing arms. . . We urge all road users to stay vigilant and prioritize safety at rail crossings to prevent tragedies and save lives.”

3 Likes

Brightline officials have been touting their plan to launch service in time for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, but the bond document states plans are now to be operable in December 2028.

The bond offering notes the projected average cost of a standard class, one-way ticket on the Brightline West’s system will be $119 in 2031, the first stabilized year of service, after a two-year ramp-up period. It’s also noted that Brightline West plans to offer a premium cabin ticket, with an average projected one-way cost of $133 in 2031. Brightline projects will generate $1.1 billion in ticket revenue in 2031.

2 Likes