A private American inter-city passenger rail company operating trains between Miami and Orlando in Florida. Unlike Amtrak, Brightline builds entirely new tracks rather than running on existing infrastructure.
Brightline carried 1.8m passengers in the year to mid-2025, an 11% increase on the prior year.
Brightline has killed more than 180 people since 2018, including 41 in 2024, according to Federal Railroad Administration data. That makes it over three times deadlier per passenger than Amtrak. Most deaths involve trespassers on the tracks. Nearly 3m cars cross Brightline tracks daily at more than 300 street crossings, many without adequate protective gates. Brightline has invested $230m in safety upgrades. The state of Florida has largely taken a back seat in ensuring crossing safety.
The firm is building a new line from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. Financing remains tricky: Brightline was paying 14-15% interest on its refinanced debt as of early 2026, raising questions about its viability if forced to elevate tracks or fence its railway. (20250927, 20260110)
It is so stupid of modern civilisation to have given up believing in the devil when he is the only explanation of it.