No vote for bill aimed at regulating Brightline
Written by Railway Age Staff
The future of a bill aimed at regulating Brightline, South Florida’s private passenger rail operation, is in question after a House committee this week postponed a vote on the measure.
The legislation would have required added safety features and for Brightline’s operator, All Aboard Florida, to pay for fencing along the route.
No reason was given for the last-minute postponement, according to local media reports. The subcommittee adjourned for the remainder of this year’s legislative session, meaning it is unlikely there will be further action on the bill.
Florida’s Senate is considering a similar measure.
The operator, a subsidiary of Florida East Coast Industries owned by Fortress Investments, plans to begin high-performance passenger operations on Florida East Coast Railway between Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach this summer. Plans call for later expansion of high-speed service to Cocoa Beach and Orlando.
Brightline has said it is being unfairly targeted by the legislation.
