Brightline trains to start Miami service May 19

Arnie Rosenberg | USA TODAY

Brightline ticked off one more milestone Friday when it unveiled MiamiCentral, its downtown Miami transportation hub.

The higher-speed passenger railroad, which began limited service Jan. 8 between Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, will extend scheduled service to Miami beginning May 19.

Patrick Goddard, Brightline president and chief operating officer, on Friday pointed to the railroad's "unprecedented investment in Florida," predicting MiamiCentral "will be a significant landmark in Miami for generations, and Brightline will connect the state in ways that haven’t been done before.”

More: First ride: Aboard Florida’s new Brightline train

More than just a train station, Goddard and others said at unveiling ceremonies Friday, MiamiCentral — an 11-acre complex in downtown Miami — will be a connecting point among Brightline; Metrorail, an elevated train that serves Miami International Airport; and Metromover, a downtown-Miami people mover which stops at the waterfront Bay Side Marketplace and American Airlines Arena.

Tri-Rail, a commuter-rail line which now runs between Miami airport and Palm Beach County on tracks west of Brightline's, plans to expand service next year using Brightline's tracks and running through MiamiCentral.

The new station, according to Brightline, also will include 130,000 square feet of retail space; more than 20 food offerings in its Central Fare "food hall"; and more than 800 rental apartments in Park-Line Towers, two buildings constructed above the station.

Brightline ultimately plans to offer service between the tourist hubs of Orlando and Miami, but now says trains won't be running to Orlando until January 2021.

Discounts to Miami

During its first weekend of scheduled service to Miami, May 19 and 20, Brightline is offering discounted fares in its standard Smart Service and upgraded Select Service.

Smart Service, introductory fare $10-$15 per segment, will be $3.

Select Service, introductory fare $15-$25 per segment, will be $5.

The company plans to run eight daily weekday round trips between West Palm Beach and Miami, eventually increasing to 11 round trips.