Brightline begins Orlando service

Within nine days, Brightline says it will begin service outside Orlando. This announcement comes after several delays.

Service was supposed to begin on Labor Day weekend, but Brightline had to finish final testing. WESH spoke with them Wednesday morning, and they said it’s actually happening this time.

The first train will arrive in Orlando after 10pm next Friday morning from Miami. Tickets are on sale for those who want to be on that first inaugural flight or who want to book for future dates.

Tickets start at $79 one way.

Brightline representatives say they’re excited to finally start service in Central Florida.

“It’s about making our backyard bigger. So here in Central Florida, we know we can get to South Florida. It’s a drive, or we hop on a plane, but now there’s going to be another option, and that’s what it’s like,” said Katie Metzner, director of public affairs at Brightline: “We will revolutionize transportation not only in the country and the state of Florida but here in Central Florida and make our backyard bigger.”

When service reaches full service, there will be 16 daily round trips with hourly departures between Orlando and South Florida.

In addition to Miami, flights are also available to West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, and Aventura.

The BrightLine Orlando station is located directly across from Terminal C at Orlando International Airport.

WESH 2 anchor/reporter Megan McKee will be aboard the first train from Miami and will have full coverage next Friday starting at sunrise.

Their weekday train schedule out of Orlando will include:

• Southbound flights depart hourly from Orlando to Miami from 5:00 a.m. to 8:50 p.m

• The first southbound train from Orlando arrives in Miami at 8:30 a.m

• Hourly northbound departures from Miami to Orlando run from 6:50 a.m. to 9:45 p.m.
• The first northbound train from Miami arrives in Orlando at 10:15 a.m

Their weekend train schedule out of Orlando will include:

• Southbound flights depart hourly from Orlando to Miami from 5:00 a.m. to 8:50 p.m
• The first southbound train from Orlando arrives in Miami at 8:30 a.m

• Hourly northbound departures from Miami to Orlando run from 5:45 a.m. to 9:45 p.m.
• The first northbound train from Miami arrives in Orlando at 9:15 a.m

The 37,350-square-foot terminal in Orlando is located adjacent to Orlando International Airport’s Terminal C and directly connected to the airport’s Garage C.