TAMPA, Fla. — Brightline is pursuing a $400 million tax-free bond to fund a planned high-speed rail expansion from Orlando to Tampa, further connecting central Florida with existing Miami and Orlando Lines.
The request, submitted to the Florida Development Finance Corporation (FDFC), funds the design, development and construction of the proposed tamper expansion. A hearing on the proposal is scheduled for Thursday.
The project is a major step towards linking Tampa to Brightline’s expansion network, already serving southern and central Florida. If approved, the expansion is expected to increase local mobility and provide a competitive alternative to driving on severely crowded I-4s.
Brightline achieved consistent ridership growth in March with a record 280,000 passengers. Interviewed at Orlando Station last week, riders praised the service for its convenience and affordability.
“It’s cheap, there’s little traffic… I’ll do it all the time,” said Tequesia Johnson, who traveled from Miami to Orlando.
Sandalsamea visited from West Palm Beach and repeated her emotions. “It’s easy for me. I haven’t driven for a few hours. I just have to be bright, sit, relax, eat, go to my destination.”
Experts say expanding services to Tampa will boost tourism and provide suburban visitors with viable travel options.
“Tourists don’t need to rent a car,” said Naveen Eluru, a traffic professor at the University of Central Florida. “They were able to travel all between Tampa and Miami on Brightline, which is a very attractive market.”
However, Eluru noted that pricing plays an important role in attracting daily commuters. “If I’m a business traveler who goes to Tampa once a week, it might be worth it,” he said. “But regular commuters may be more price sensitive.”
Potential benefits go beyond convenience. Expanding Brightline will help reduce vehicle traffic on I-4 and improve overall transportation efficiency across the region.
“I think it’s always better to have more options,” Elle added.
The FDFC hearing on Brightline’s $400 million bond request is expected to attract attention from transporters, business leaders and local residents as they weigh the future of Florida’s high-speed rail.
