TAMPA, Fla. — Brightline is pursuing $400 million in tax-exempt bonds to help fund its planned high-speed rail expansion from Orlando to Tampa, further connecting Central Florida with the existing Miami-to-Orlando line.
The request, submitted to the Florida Development Finance Corporation (FDFC), would finance the design, development, and construction of the proposed Tampa extension. A public hearing on the proposal is scheduled for Thursday.
The project marks a major step toward linking Tampa to Brightline’s expanding network, which already serves South and Central Florida. If approved, the expansion is expected to boost regional mobility and offer a competitive alternative to driving on heavily congested I-4.
Brightline has seen consistent growth in ridership, with a record 280,000 passengers in March. Riders interviewed at the Orlando station last week praised the convenience and affordability of the service.
“It’s cheap and it’s less traffic… I’d do it all the time now,” said Tekeshia Johnson, who traveled from Miami to Orlando for a family reunion.
Sandal Sameer, visiting from West Palm Beach, echoed the sentiment: “It is easy for me—no driving for two or three hours. Just take Brightline, sit, relax, eat, and get to your destination.”
Experts say extending the service to Tampa could boost tourism and offer a viable travel option for out-of-town visitors.
“Tourists wouldn’t need to rent a car,” said Naveen Eluru, a transportation professor at the University of Central Florida. “They could travel between Tampa and Miami all on Brightline. That’s a very attractive market.”
However, Eluru noted that pricing will play a key role in attracting daily commuters. “If I’m a business traveler going to Tampa once a week, it might be worth it,” he said. “But regular commuters may be more price-sensitive.”
The potential benefits go beyond convenience. Expanding Brightline could help reduce vehicle traffic on I-4 and improve overall transportation efficiency across the region.
“I think having more options is always better,” Eluru added.
The FDFC hearing on Brightline’s $400 million bond request is expected to draw attention from transportation officials, business leaders, and local residents as the state weighs the future of high-speed rail in Florida.
