Brightline Is Bringing Back Discount Commuter Pass

Thanks to a new federal grant, Brightline is reintroducing a commuter pass for frequent travelers in South Florida.

The Federal Railroad Administration awarded the company $33.8 million in funding via a restoration and enhancement grant to extend trains from five to seven coaches. Brightline will launch the new commuter system in March.

"The funding allows us to expedite new passenger cars into service and with that capacity, increased avalibility for the South Florida traveler," Patrick Goddard, president of Brightline Florida, said in a press release.

This announcement comes seven months after the company stopped selling its discounted frequent traveler passes, to the disappointment of South Florida commuters. The commuter passes — the All Station Shared Pass, SoFlo Shared Pass, and SoFlo Solo Pass, were officially discontinued June 1, 2024. (Brightline still offers a limited number of commuter passes for Miami and Aventura stations — $299 for standard seating and $629 for premium seating.)

The company said it had to eliminate the passes due to higher customer demand and peak trains reaching capacity.

As a result, commuters who relied on the train service have had to cough up hundreds for more expensive ticket passes. Brightline offers a Fixed Rate 10-Ride Pack for travel between Miami and West Palm Beach for $350 and $550 for standard seats and premium seats, respectively. The previous SoFlo Solo pass offered 40 rides in 30 days for $399.

Brightline says the new commuter passes will serve as an interim plan before the train service and local counties establish commuter lines in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties. Both Miami-Dade and Broward Counties are working to finalize an agreement to advance projects to provide commuter service along the Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) Corridor.

"We've been working on developing a true commuter system in South Florida for years, but that solution takes time and can't be turned on overnight," Goddard added. "This is the next best thing and can be seen as an interim commuter program before Miami-Dade and Broward launch service."

According to the company's November monthly revenue and ridership report, the most recent one available, long-distance ridership was up 67 percent year over year in November, with a new record long-distance ridership of 155,939. Total revenue was up by 22 percent as compared to November 2023. The average fare in November was $56 while the average full fare long-haul ticket was $84, the company reported.

The Martin County Board of County Commissioners also voted in November to move forward with a Brightline station in Stuart. The county will contribute up to $15 million toward the project.

Brightline has not responded to New Times' questions about how much the new passes will cost.