MIAMI — Brightline has added to its first- and last-mile service for passengers, Brightline+, by launching fixed-route shuttles to and from Miami International Airport, Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport, and three locations in Miami Beach.
In other news, the passenger operator announced a new deal for transportation for events at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, as well as continuing preparations for its expansion to Orlando by beginning 110-mph testing in Florida’s Brevard County.
The shuttle service, which debuted Thursday, March 16, provides direct airport service to and from the two airports to the nearest Brightline station. Miami airport shuttles operate 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. weekdays, and 8 a.m. to midnight weekends; Fort Lauderdale airport shuttles run from 5 a.m. to midnight weekdays and 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, while the Miami Beach shuttles run daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., with stops at Fifth Street and Washington Avenue; 11th Street and Washington, and Lincoln Road and Washington. Shuttles to those locations will depart from Brightline stations 10 minutes after trains arrive.
One-way rides are $10 and do not require an advance reservation. More information is available here.
Hard Rock Stadium deal
Brightline will offer dedicated pre- and post-session trains for the upcoming Miami Open tennis tournament as part of an agreement announced today (March 17). The passenger service will also offer transportation options for Miami Dolphins games during the 2023 season.
The tennis tournament begins this Sunday, March 19; dedicated Brightline trains, along with Brightline+ shuttle service to and from the Aventura station, will begin Wednesday, March 22.
“Our exclusive shuttle service from the new Aventura station will now conveniently connect fans with seamless transportation to the Hard Rock Stadium entrance and the incredible tennis action,” Johanna Rojas, Brightline senior vice president, partnerships and sales, said in a press release.
More information on the Miami Open service is available at the Brightline website.
Brevard County testing
The latest rollout of 110-mph testing involves a 13-mile stretch of track in Brevard County including the communities of Rockledge and Melbourne. It will start as soon as Tuesday, March 28, and continue through April, and is slated to take place from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
As has been true in other communities during testing on the 129-mile route between West Palm Beach and Cocoa, flaggers will be present at railroad crossings and law enforcement agencies will also be participating. This segment of testing will include 10 grade crossings:
In Rockledge — Rinker Way; Cemex/General Portland (private crossing); Gus Hipp Road; Barnes Boulevard (State route 502); Carver Street; Ansin Road; Viera Boulevard.
In Melbourne — Suntree Boulevard; Post Road; Parkway Avenue; Lake Washington Road.
Information on Brightline’s ongoing safety campaign is available here.
— Updated at 11 a.m. CDT with information on Hard Rock Stadium agreement and Miami Open service.
Too bad Brightline can’t use the Miami Airport line that Amtrak ignores. That would make a great connection! And the station is already there.