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Brightline Rebrands As Virgin Trains USA

Brightline

Brightline, South Florida’s high-speed passenger rail system, is changing its name. The company announced a new partnership Friday with the Virgin Group. 

Brightline is no more. Later this month, the train system will change its name to Virgin Trains USA.

The Virgin Group is venture capital giant that operates everything from cell phone service to airplane -- and now trains.

Brightline chairman Wes Edens said in a statement, “with our shared focus on customer experience, powered by a culture of innovation and disruption, we are well positioned to build on our success.” Its current management team will continue to oversee operations and development.

The private high-speed rail system currently runs between Miami and West Palm Beach, with planned expansions to Orlando and Tampa.

Brightline is hoping it can piggyback off Virgin’s national name recognition.

Shawn Mulcahy is a reporter and All Things Considered host for WFSU. He graduated from Florida State University in 2019 with majors in public relations and political science. He was previously an intern at WFSU, and worked as an Account Coordinator at RB Oppenheim Associates.