Brightline is stating that they will be able to expand service to Orlando next year. This will be the first time the rail operator has extended service outside of the Greater Miami Area. Libertarians and Republicans are looking at Brightline as a clear lesson of how the government is inefficient, bureaucratic, and messy, and how Florida under their savior Ron Desantis is going to show America how those dirty commies in California have everything backward with their high-speed rail fail.
Brightline today is nothing more than a commuter railroad in the Greater Miami Area. Let’s compare it to the statist Caltrain in the Socialist Republic of California to show how much better Brightline is than the despotic people’s line of Caltrain. Let us show the idiotic Californians how the future is of free markets and how free markets bring freedom!
Well, that’s what right-wing libertarians would like you to think. If we actually look at the reality on the ground, it is quite different from what has been portrayed so far.
Here are the facts about Brightline:
- Brightline has raised over a billion dollars in bonds from investors to improve the railroad to Orlando.
- Even before the pandemic, Brightline failed to meet its expectations for ridership on its high-demand route.
Here’s another interesting fact. Advocates of Brightline point out that the railroad cost $3 billion to build 46 miles of track between West Palm Beach and Miami. (CTPost) For comparison, California HSR has a $23.4 billion budget, which is going to build 520 miles of track. (Wikipedia)
I am unable to find solid data on Brightline’s operating statements. I would think that if they were profitable they would make that public in order to drive their bond rates down… but that’s just me.
Here is a summary table comparing Brightline to Caltrain and California HSR with the most up to date information I am able to find:
| Caltrain | Brightline | California HSR | |
| Morning routes (before 12) | 14 | 7 | |
| Afternoon (12-5) | 10 | 5 | |
| Evening routes | 9 | 7 | |
| Total routes | 33 | 19 | |
| Earliest departure | 4:15 AM | 6:45 AM | |
| Latest departure | 9:01 PM | 11:45 PM | |
| Ridership per day | 18,600 | 3,534 | |
| Fare | $9.95 | $24.00 | |
| Speed (MPH) | 79 | 79 | |
| Stations | 31 | 3 | |
| Average speed (MPH) | 26.3333333333333 | 46 | |
| Distance (miles) | 77.2 | 46 | 520 |
| Building cost | $3,000,000,000.00 | $23,400,000,000.00 | |
| Building cost per mile | $65,217,391.30 | $45,000,000.00 |
Draw your own conclusions.
References:
- https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/business/2020/01/20/brightline-passenger-counts-revenue-remain-well-below-companyrsquos-own-projections/112219668/
- https://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Getting-There-First-profitable-passenger-12627172.php
- Wikipedia
- www.caltrain.com
- www.gobrightline.com