Private high-speed train connects Miami to Orlando

Private railroad company Brightline on Friday began operating a new high-speed rail line between Miami and Orlando. Thirty-two trains will run daily, reaching up to 125 miles per hour, with tickets from around $100 to $300. The cars are powered by biodiesel, which is supposed to be a cleaner alternative fuel. Brightline has run high-speed lines between Miami and West Palm Beach since 2018 and hopes to expand its Florida network to include stops in Tampa and Jacksonville. Brightline hopes to build a high-speed line connecting Southern California and Las Vegas by 2027.

Are high-speed trains safe for such heavy population areas? Brightline reportedly has the highest death rate in the United States regarding civilian deaths, fatally hitting 98 people since 2018, according to an ongoing Associated Press analysis of federal data that began in 2019. Although investigations have shown none of the deaths to be Brightline’s fault, the company added cameras around tracks, better pedestrian barriers, and signs for a suicide prevention hotline.

Dig deeper: From the WORLD archives, read Michael Cochrane's report on Elon Musk’s proposed Hyperloop lines for intercity travel.