[beach43ofus]

Ridership will disappoint from day #1 to eternity...it has disappointed thus far, but they try hard to conceal low ridership.

Can anyone document otherwise?

Show me some evidence of increased ridership per mile.

So, Florida's paying Billions to get very few cars off the roads. Low-cost express buses would be a wiser play, but the kickbacs are not there, so the politicians and their pals push rail...its primarily about the kickbacks...& potential real estate gains around each station.

[Arcenal813]

I’ll be using it. Frequently. The drive from Central FL to South FL is rough, and times vary wildly as the roads are extremely unpredictable. Not to mention, by the time you get down there, you’re exhausted from the drive.
I was in Miami just a few weeks ago. I refused to make the drive. I flew there and back with my son from Tampa.

Bus times are also very unpredictable. Our highways don’t have dedicated bus lanes all the way through. And quite frankly, can get quite bad. I just got off of a FlixBus. Normally they are okay. This time, hour and a half late, someone used the bathroom and it stunk up the whole bus… etc…

[Roger Lessman]

Originally Posted by beach43ofus

So, Florida's paying Billions to get very few cars off the roads.

Florida's paying? We're NOT paying. It's privately funded.

[MrKnight]

Originally Posted by beach43ofus

Ridership will disappoint from day #1 to eternity...it has disappointed thus far, but they try hard to conceal low ridership.

The only phase that is currently open is between Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach and even this initial phase has been proven to be successful, Miami-bound trains are often sold out especially during major events (concerts, sporting events, etc.).. The expansion to Orlando will increase ridership even further..

Originally Posted by beach43ofus

So, Florida's paying Billions to get very few cars off the roads. Low-cost express buses would be a wiser play, but the kickbacs are not there, so the politicians and their pals push rail...its primarily about the kickbacks...& potential real estate gains around each station.

Brightline is a PRIVATELY funded service and a private business, it is not state funded other than some initial grants.. Anyone that has driven on the Turnpike knows that more vehicles or buses on an already congested highway is not the solution..

[beach43ofus]

Originally Posted by Roger Lessman

Florida's paying? We're NOT paying. It's privately funded.

Incorrect...its not 100% privately funded. Gov't issued them no-interest bonds...that's a subsidy. Gov't also leased right of ways & land at below market costs...another subsidy Shek's.

[drive carephilly]

Originally Posted by beach43ofus

Incorrect...its not 100% privately funded. Gov't issued them no-interest bonds...that's a subsidy. Gov't also leased right of ways & land at below market costs...another subsidy Shek's.

First - they're not interest free. They're tax free. Muni bonds are de rigueur for infrastructure projects, private or not, because they're being built in public ROW so in the event of default all assets go to the State.

Second - Curious to know your source for the market rate of expressway ROW that the Feds paid for (that was also built with tax free bonds)? How many companies are bidding for that space?

[Outer_Bluegrass]

Originally Posted by SanyBelle

When people stop on the tracks it could be suicide. We see that here in South Florida. People get onto the tracks, bypass the crossing gates or type to beat the gates, what do they think is going to happen to them?

People in South Florida are just harried and impatient.

[Lincolnian]

We used it recently to ride from Ft. Lauderdale to Miami. The bridge was stuck in Ft. Lauderdale so we were delayed one hour on the way to Miami. The way back was on-time and the ride both ways was smooth and quick. We used the nearby people movers to get to two different locations once there.

We had an issue with the app used to order the tickets. Due to some glitch in the system it charged us 3 times for the same tickets. It took quite a bit of time and about 1 1/2 weeks to get our credit back for the 2 extra charges. Also, they have a shuttle to South Beach but nothing back so if one takes the train to go to South Beach they will need to find their own transportation back to the station.

I imagine the glitches will be worked out and connections to other transportation infrastructure will improve.