The Orlando rail station is a new passenger train station developed by Brightline, a private intercity rail services provider based in the US, at the Orlando International Airport in Florida, US. It links two of Florida’s fastest-growing areas, Central and Southern Florida.
The train station is served by Brightline’s 170-mile (273.5km) rail line extension between West Palm Beach and Orlando, which was completed in June 2023.
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The rail line provides 16 daily roundtrips departing every hour between Miami and Orlando. The average duration of the non-stop Miami to Orlando service is two hours and 59 minutes, with stops at West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale and Aventura.
Operations at the Orlando rail station are scheduled to commence in September 2023.
Location
The new rail station in Orlando is located within the 80,000ft² train station facility of the Orlando International Airport, adjacent to Terminal C.
The airport’s train station facility includes sufficient space to accommodate up to three regional rail systems, including SunRail commuter rail, Brightline inter-city rail and a third rail system. It also supports other ground transportation systems such as taxis and buses.
Brightline’s Orlando train station details
The Orlando rail station is a three-storey station covering an area of 37,350ft². The station platforms are 1,000ft long and accommodate trains with four coaches and two locomotives.
The station’s main entrance is located off the airport’s huge two-storey glass atrium. Train passengers can use escalators or lifts to access the first level of the platform and board the train from one of the new two-track platforms.
The station features Brightline’s distinctive, yellow-coloured waiting lounges that provide ample space for passengers to relax.
The train station is connected directly to parking garage C at the airport, which features more than 350 designated parking spaces for Brightline passengers.
It provides pedestrian access to the Orlando airport’s Terminal C. In contrast, Terminals A and B of the airport can be accessed through the elevated automatic people mover in less than five minutes.
Amenities
Passengers can purchase tickets from either the guest services or self-service kiosks located within the station. In addition, passengers can check their luggage and go through the touchless security turnstiles to reach the security screening area.
The new station provides two types of services, SMART and PREMIUM. The PREMIUM service offers complimentary meals, snacks, beverages, a designated first-class lounge, complimentary checked baggage, priority boarding and a dedicated coach.
Free Wi-Fi and charging stations are provided at each seat, apart from 87 big-screen TVs and a BrightKids kids’ play area in the SMART lounge. Furthermore, a retail outlet, MRKT PLACE, allows customers to conveniently shop for last-minute presents and refreshments.
The Orlando station also includes the Mary Mary Bar, which serves handcrafted cocktails and light bites. The sit-down bar is located at the opposite end of the station and offers a panoramic view of the train platforms, where guests can watch trains arrive and depart in comfort.
A classic flip-flapped message board located above the bar provides updated information on train schedules, boarding times, news and other announcements.
The station also offers transportation options such as Brightline+ shuttles, Uber rideshare and car rental options.
Contractors involved
US-based architecture firm Bigtime Design Studios (BDS) designed the Brightline Orlando station. BDS also designed the Boca Raton and Aventura stations of the Brightline West Palm Beach to Orlando line.
Sonny Fornoles of Borrelli + Partner, an architecture and interior design firm, served as the architect of record.
US-based full service construction company Gomez Construction is responsible for the station’s construction.
