by JamesT4
JohnFromJersey wrote: ↑Tue Sep 26, 2023 12:27 pmI don't comment on here too often but I just came back from Flordia and I did had the chance to ride Brightline last Saturday and i did a day trip to Miami and back and I actually enjoyed it. the ride experience and service were great, plus I have one of the speed apps on my phone and noticed the train I was riding after leaving Orlando until it got near the FEC going near the 125. My complaint was that Both trainsets I rode had the ads wraps on the windows so could not get good photos off the train.Gilbert B Norman wrote: ↑Tue Sep 26, 2023 7:19 am Now Orlando is a horse of a different color; the FAA does "not exactly" appreciate high rises around an airport's perimeter.A big complaint about the Orlando station I've heard is how it goes to the airport, and there is nothing around the airport to go to without having to pay for an Uber, etc. Not even SunRail goes to the airport, and they have access to now!
However, with the Orlando airport, that is part of Brightline's model of catering to tourists. If someone goes to Orlando for a trip/vacation, they now have the option to spend a day or so in South Florida without having to rent a car and drive it on highways unbeknownst to them, go through airport security again, etc.
Going from South Florida to Orlando might be inconvenient for some, given that once you're at the airport, you're SOL, but if your origin is Orlando, and you want to spend some time in South Florida, almost all the Brightline stations there empty out to where you want to be.
Now I caught the 5:38 am train from Orlando airport and i did not take an Uber or taxi and the hotel shuttle was not running that early on a Saturday so i took the local bus there since the hotel I was staying at was on the route going to the airport. The station was nice the security was quick and easy even i had a bookbag no issues I like that Orlando and Miami stations had bars. Plus the onboard cart service on the train was good I gotten me just a coffee going to Miami. Train left on time and got there to Miami on time the train was not that full leaving Orlando but once we got to West Palm Beach and on down it got more packed.
On the way back I took the 7:41pm train back from Miami to Orlando and was able to get the last bus from the airport back to my hotel. I did not have time to roam the Miami station because i got off the Metrorail from tri-rail about 20 mins until departure and had stopped and got food from Chick-fli-A and got on the train within 5 mins. until the boarding was to stop but i did see a souvenir shop i will look at it more next time I'm down there. The train left on time was decent on board and more people getting on and off as the train made stops towards west palm beach but at West Palm Beach the car I was in basically almost emptied and some people realized last minute even with the constant announcements oh crap we got to get off or they will be stuck on until Orlando. got to Orland a bit early took the tram from the C terminal to the main terminal walked over to the ground transportation on the A terminal and took the last 42 bus back to my Hotel
There are multiple bus routes that go o the airport but specifically to routes 11,42 and 111 and all three of the routes serve Sunrail via the Sand Lake Road Station. So yes there is a connection to Brightline from Sunrail(not directly for now) but it involves a Bus connection via the 11, 42 or 111 buses and $2.00. Plus my hotel was staying at was basically a 20-minute walk to the Sunrail Station.
The buses will put you on the ground transportation on the A terminal and you have to follow the C terminal signs and take the terminal tram(outside security) from the main A and B terminals to the C terminal and Brightline is right next to the terminal link tram. I took the bus to and from Brightline both ways. It saved me money compared to taking a taxi or an Uber but if you carrying a lot of luggage or bags the bus connection is not really recommended.
Next time I'm back in Flordia I will plan on riding it again but i will take a chance and book and ride in the Premium class instead of the Smart Class.
~JamesT4 (James T.)
Co-Moderator: Chicagoland Commuter & Transit Forum
Train, Bus, and other photos : flickr ::
Co-Moderator: Chicagoland Commuter & Transit Forum
Train, Bus, and other photos : flickr ::