Brightline hikes commuter passes 125%, angering riders
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Brightline just rolled out a new South Florida commuter pass that some riders say is way too expensive.
Why it matters: The privately run rail service announced in January that its new commuter pass — funded by a $33 million federal grant — was "expected to save daily commuters money," according to the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
Reality check: The new passes unveiled this month actually cost as much as 125% more than the old ones.
- The Miami-to-West Palm Beach bundle costs $899 for 40 one-way rides, or $22.50 per ride.
- The old commuter bundle, called the SoFlo Solo pass, cost $399 for 40 rides, or $10 each, before Brightline discontinued it last June.
What they're saying: "WHO can afford THIS?" local sports reporter Jeremy Taché asked on X.
- Taché, who appears on "The Dan LeBatard Show with Stugotz" and Fanduel Sports Network, said he used to be a "loyal" Brightline commuter before prices crept up to $399 a month, which he said was "tough to swallow but worth it considering our traffic patterns."
- "@GoBrightline why do you only want rich people to have access to transportation?"
He's not the only one complaining, as Miami New Times first reported.
The other side: Brightline did not respond to a request for comment, but the company touted the new passes in a May 6 press release.
- "Whether it's for weekday commutes or weekend escapes, the new Brightline Passes offer a reliable, modern ride with a fixed-rate fare to get frequent travelers where they need to go," said Barbara Drahl, senior vice president of marketing and commercial strategy.
Zoom in: Brightline also offers passes connecting Miami to Aventura ($299 for 40 rides) and Miami to Fort Lauderdale ($699 for 40 rides).
- The Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach passes also come in 10- and 20-ride bundles, too. Full pricing here.
- The passes are valid for 30 days.
The new passes are technically cheaper than the 10-ride bundles Brightline rolled out last summer to replace the old commuter passes.
- Those cost between $250 and $350.
Between the lines: Brightline, which launched in South Florida in 2018, has shifted seating capacity from local trips in favor of long-haul rides to Orlando, which launched in 2023.
- The Sun Sentinel wrote last year that Brightline was always intended to be a regional train between Miami and Orlando — "not the upscale commuter service that has become popular among South Florida riders during an interim build-out period."
What we're watching: Patrick Goddard, Brightline's president, says the new passes are an interim measure as Brightline and local counties work on developing a "true commuter system."