South Florida's Brightline delays trips to Orlando, cancels bookings intended to start Sept. 1
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Brightline is informing customers who booked trips along its widely anticipated rail extension to Orlando starting Sept. 1 that all rides are canceled until further notice.
The higher-speed rail line, which currently serves South Florida, had sold tickets for rides starting over the Labor Day weekend between West Palm Beach and its new station at Orlando International Airport.
“We’re working through the final stages of certification and crew testing but it’s apparent that we won’t hit our opening weekend as planned (Sept 1-5),” Brightline said in a statement. “Knowing it’s a holiday weekend, we want to give guests as much time as possible to adjust their travel plans.”
An unspecified number of customers have been told by text and email that they’ll have to wait a little longer as the railroad is still working on certifications and crew testing.
“Your trip is canceled and we want to provide you with as much notice as possible so you can adjust your plans,” the message says.
“We’re working hard to launch service for Brightline Orlando station but will not be operating September 1 as planned,” the notice says. “We’re in the final stages of certification and will announce a confirmed opening date soon.”
Brightline’s online schedule now shows that no trips are being sold until at least Sept. 15.
According to the notice, the company is taking three steps to ease customer inconvenience:
Full refunds for the rides that are canceled.
The “gifting” of premium level service for future use that is the “equivalent to the party size of your original purchase.”
Brightline has two classes of service. They include Smart, a business class section; and Premium, a “first-class experience with added amenities.” For the rides between Miami and Orlando, the Smart fare is $79; Premium is $149.
Two company spokespersons did not immediately respond to emailed requests for comment.
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