With Orlando link, Brightline revenues and riders jump

Since launching its long-distance services from Miami to Orlando in September, Brightline is reporting strong and accelerating ticket revenue and ridership.

For December, ticket revenue was $12.4 million, an increase of $8.7 million or 233% from December 2022, according to Brightline’s recent revenue and ridership report.

The report said the ridership numbers increased 29% with 237,069 passengers at an average fare of $52.48 per rider, a 158% increase from the $20.30 fare average in December 2022. December 2023 use included 115,683 long-distance passengers compared to 93,184 in November 2023.

Initially, Brightline conducted six daily roundtrips between South Florida and the new station at Orlando International Airport. To date, service has increased to 16 daily roundtrips.

Brightline’s Aventura station at 19796 W Dixie Hwy. first launched back in December 2022 – along with the new Boca Raton station – to offer express rail linking from Miami to Orlando, and also to provide frequent express trips to and from Aventura to downtown Miami during the peak morning commute and evening rush hour.

The composition of riders is highly diverse, according to Brightline. Most riders are using the services for business in banking, legal firms, hospitality and real estate developments, the company says. Once fully stabilized, Brightline officials predict over 4 million long-distance passengers will use the Orlando to Miami services annually.

With the extension to Orlando now in operation along with the success of Aventura and Boca Raton stations, Brightline officials said they are reviewing and developing options for additional future in-line stations. One likely station would be in Brevard County, the report said, which would serve the growing tourism and cruise industries in Port Canaveral. Another likely station is expected to be along Florida’s Treasure Coast of West Palm Beach.