Brightline, the only provider of modern, eco-friendly, intercity rail in America, along with its partners in Boca Raton, Aventura and Miami-Dade County, celebrate the ribbon cutting of its Aventura and Boca Raton train stations. Congressman Carlos Gimenez and Mayors Daniella Levine Cava, Scott Singer and Howard S. Weinberg were joined by officials from the City of Boca, the City of Aventura, Miami-Dade County and Brightline executives to officially launch the highly-anticipated opening of the two new stations. The first day of service for Boca Raton and Aventura is December 21, 2022.
The ceremony commenced at the entrance of the Boca Raton station at 9 a.m. where city officials and media were welcomed with remarks by Brightline’s President Patrick Goddard, City of Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer, Florida State Senator Tina Polsky and Milton Segarra of Discover The Palm Beaches. The ceremony proceeded with a tour of the completed station and the inaugural ride from Boca Raton to Aventura.
The ceremony at Aventura began at noon with remarks by Brightline President Patrick Goddard, Congressman Carlos Gimenez, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, City of Aventura Mayor Howard Weinburg, former Miami-Dade County Commissioner Sally Heyman and Citizens’ Independent Transportation Trust (CITT) Second Vice Chair Robert Wolfarth. The ribbon cutting ceremony was followed by a tour of the Aventura station and the inaugural ride from Aventura to MiamiCentral.
ABOUT AVENTURA AND BOCA RATON
With the station openings of Aventura and Boca Raton, Brightline now has five stations in South Florida and will connect travelers to existing stations in Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. Both stations feature Brightline’s signature autonomous MRKT, SMART and PREMIUM lounges in addition to touchless turnstiles and free high-speed WiFi throughout the station and onboard the train.
Brightline Aventura Station
Brightline’s Aventura station is located at 19796 West Dixie Highway, Miami FL 33180. The Aventura station will allow guests congestion-free travel between all of Brightline’s stations with an estimated travel time to MiamiCentral of about 20 minutes. The station will also offer express service between Miami during the peak morning and evening hour commute periods, saving time and stress for commuters.
As part of the agreement with Miami-Dade Transit, Brightline guests will have access to discounted rides between Aventura and MiamiCentral through the Brightline website and app. Monthly commuter passes for travel between Aventura and MiamiCentral can be purchased at a discount at the Aventura station guest services desk. Starting in January 2023, discounted commuter passes will be available online or through the app. Brightline will reserve capacity on commuter trains for rides between Aventura and MiamiCentral up until 48 hours of train departures.
The 34,000 square foot station features 240 parking spaces, a bus drop-off for Miami-Dade Transit passengers, newly landscaped and hardscape areas and a pedestrian skybridge that transports guests from the vertical transportation towers to the train platform. Brightline is currently designing a new pedestrian bridge which will connect the platform to the Aventura Mall. Upon the station’s opening, Brightline will provide a complimentary bi-directional Brightline+ shuttle to Aventura Mall for guests. The shuttle will be available 14 hours of the day.
The Aventura station has been designed to LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Silver criteria as part of Brightline’s goals to reduce contribution to global climate change, enhance individual human health and protect water resources. These LEED Silver station design features include a solar canopy and installation of electric charging vehicles to reduce emissions and encourage clean transportation, a careful selection of materials to increase healthy indoor spaces and smart technology to reduce water use.
In October 2019, the Citizens’ Independent Transportation Trust (CITT) passed a resolution to approve the property acquisition and development agreement between the County and Brightline. It also approved the use of $76.7 million of surtax dollars for the development of this project, which will serve the Northeast Corridor – one of six corridors in the Strategic Miami Area Rapid Transit (SMART) Program.
Brightline Boca Raton Station
Brightline’s Boca Raton station is located on a 1.8-acre site adjacent to the downtown library and across from Mizner Park and at 101 NW 4th St, Boca Raton, FL 33432. The 22,000 square foot station features a 455-space parking garage which will service Brightline’s guests and visitors to the library, who will have dedicated, covered, and complimentary spaces on the first floor. The station will also provide two complimentary, on-demand Brightline+ EV carts to destinations within downtown Boca Raton. Travel between Boca and MiamiCentral will be approximately 60 minutes.
Partners in this project include the City of Boca Raton and Federal Railroad Administration that awarded Brightline and Boca $16.4 million for construction of the station.
Station Travel Times, Parking + Passes (both stations)
Brightline’s initial schedules for Aventura and Boca are designed to optimize commuter patterns and will focus on peak morning and evening weekday service. During non-peak hours and weekends, Brightline will provide service approximately every other hour. Regular hourly service will continue in West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and MiamiCentral. You can view a full schedule for Boca and Aventura here.
Parking options will be available at both stations upon opening with rates for Brightline guests starting at $7 and walk up parking rates starting at $6 for up to an hour. Guests traveling from Aventura and Boca Raton stations will also have access to Brightline+ shuttle services offered to South Florida’s biggest games and events.
For guests looking to save on fares, a commuter SMART pass will be available for $229 per month. Passes for SHORT (2-leg) and LONG (4-leg) bookings will also be available for both SMART and PREMIUM. Miami-Aventura passes can be purchased in-person at the Aventura station and will become available for purchase online in early 2023 for $170 per month. To purchase tickets, visit www.gobrightline.com.
BRIGHTLINE QUOTE
“Brightline is on a mission to build a better way to get there. We’re connecting the state and economies making it easier to do business while expanding your backyard in so many ways.” said Goddard, president at Brightline. “Opening our stations in Aventura and Boca Raton is a community-wide effort that will alleviate congestion and regionalize South Florida. Thanks to our amazing partners who made this vision possible.”
BOCA RATON QUOTES
“I’m glad that Brightline continues to improve the lives of many Floridians by connecting them to neighboring communities through fast, accessible service. With its newest stations in Boca Raton and Aventura, Brightline continues its growth here in Florida. As a critical part of Florida’s transportation network, I look forward to Brightline’s continued expansion.” – Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart, 25th District of Florida
“Having a Brightline station in Boca Raton is a game changer for the city and the county! New and exciting transportation options are incredibly important for our residents, visitors, businesses and the future of our community. It’s a win-win for us and I am excited to get onboard!” – Commissioner Marci Woodward, Palm Beach County
“Boca Raton is thrilled to welcome Brightline to our community. This train station is a game changer for how our residents and businesses connect throughout South Florida and ultimately Orlando. It’s already spurring additional growth and economic opportunities. It’s a great day for the City of Boca Raton.” – Mayor Scott Singer, City of Boca Raton
“The Federal Railroad Administration is proud to provide federal funding for the construction of this new passenger rail station in the City of Boca Raton, helping local communities access high-quality passenger rail as a transportation option, improving and expanding America’s rail network will connect economies in new ways while getting people where they need to be conveniently, reliably, and safely. Thanks to President Biden’s infrastructure investments, we can deliver these benefits to more Floridians and Americans across the country.” – FRA Administrator Amit Bose
“Multi-city inner-state travel just became much more attainable for locals and visitors to southeast Florida. With visitation forecasted to reach new heights this season, Brightline’s enhanced connectivity couldn’t come at a more fitting time. Brightline’s unique transportation offering, presents travelers ease of access into Palm Beach County’s two largest cities’ business/cultural downtown areas, and we can’t wait for new and returning visitors to try it out.” – Jorge Pesquera, president and CEO for Discover The Palm Beaches- the official destination marketing organization for Palm Beach County
“The Boca Chamber celebrates the much anticipated opening of the Boca Raton Brightline station! This game-changing economic development asset will now allow for the Boca Raton labor force to easily, comfortably and safely flow in and out of our community. Not only does the Brightline station assist our business community with the recruitment of the many jobs it needs, it enhances our overall quality of life by taking cars off the road – reducing traffic and the stress that accompanies congested roadways. Congratulations Brightline and thank you for investing in Boca Raton!” – Troy McLellan, President & CEO, Boca Raton Chamber
“On behalf of the Palm Beach Transportation Planning Agency (TPA), we are beyond thrilled to have another Brightline station in our county. Brightline has been a game changer for transportation in South Florida and we cannot wait to begin taking trips to and from Boca Raton and beyond as Brightline expands service across Florida!” – Valerie Neilson, Executive Director, Palm Beach Transportation Planning Agency
AVENTURA QUOTES
“As Mayor of Miami-Dade County, I spearheaded efforts to alleviate traffic, expand connectivity, and provide more transportation options to our residents. The opening of the new Brightline Aventura station will allow our residents to shorten their commute time and travel comfortably in world-class trains. I look forward to continuing fighting in Congress to deliver much-needed traffic relief for my constituents.” – Congressman Carlos Gimenez (FL-26)
“This station is an important piece of our plan to bring commuter rail service to the Northeast of our county. Miami-Dade’s investment in this station finally brings a new, fast, and convenient connection that is our first important step in providing relief from traffic while slashing our carbon footprint from our transportation system – the largest contributor to climate change in Miami-Dade.” – Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.
“Today’s opening of the Brightline Aventura Station plays a vital role to improve traffic congestion in the area, and provides commuters with another travel option. This new station is a win-win for our community.” – Commissioner Micky Steinberg, Miami-Dade County, District 4
“The City of Excellence was among the earliest supporters of Brightline and we are thrilled that the Aventura Station is now a reality. It is a game changer for our community as we embrace our transportation challenges today and into the future.” – Mayor Howard S. Weinberg, Esq., City of Aventura
“The Citizens’ Independent Transportation Trust (CITT) worked closely with Miami-Dade County and Brightline to bring commuter rail transit to an area that otherwise lacked public rail service. Now, with the opening of this new commuter rail station, Miami-Dade County residents can easily travel between Downtown Miami and the City of Aventura, avoiding much of the congestion that often saturates our local roads. And with the Aventura Bus Terminal nearby, the Aventura Station will augment access to public transportation along the Northeast Corridor – one of six rapid transit corridors in the SMART Program and the original People’s Transportation Plan.” – Oscar J. Braynon, Chair of the Citizens’ Independent Transportation Trust.
“The completion of the Aventura station sets in motion the advancement of this critical SMART Program NE Corridor, and with the recently adopted FDOT Work Program by the Miami-Dade TPO Governing Board, state funding is now in place to assist the Region in completing the remaining stations for a new commuter service.” – Aileen Boucle, Executive Director, Miami Dade Transportation Planning Organization
“How wonderful for our greater Aventura community to have a new Brightline train station to whisk us to downtown Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton or West Palm Beach in luxury. Brightline trains will save time, relieve the stress of fighting traffic and open up new arenas of economic development surrounding and servicing each new station. This is a ‘win-win’ for all of us in South Florida!” said Gary Pyott, Chairman of the Board of the Aventura Marketing Council/Chamber of Commerce.
About Brightline
Brightline is the only provider of modern, eco-friendly, intercity rail in America. The company currently serves Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach with its Orlando station beginning service in 2023. Brightline was recognized by Fast Company as one of the Most Innovative Companies in travel, offering a guest-first experience designed to reinvent train travel and take cars off the road. Brightline plans to bring its award-winning service to additional city pairs and congested corridors across the country that are too close to fly and too long to drive, with immediate plans to connect Las Vegas to Southern California. For more information, visit www.gobrightline.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
