Brightline

In a few weeks, the city will decide between Ken Welch or Charlie Crist. Among the winner's bigger challenges: redevelopment of the 86-acre Historic Gas Plant Site after the Tampa Bay Rays jump to Tampa.

Brightline, which reports a 17% increase in revenue this year, said that its Miami-to-Orlando high-speed rail operations will not be impacted.

Florida's private passenger train service saw its business grow in 2025, but not fast enough to keep up with its approaching debt requirements. Brightline's annual report shows while ridership and revenues increased, it is burning through cash.

Brightline experienced a jump in South Florida passengers in January, attracted by lower fares. Long distance ridership was down slightly as average fares rose. It shows the price sensitivity of passengers as Brightline works to accelerate its business and shore up its finances.

Brightline experienced record ridership in December but two credit rating agencies now warn the service may not be able to make its scheduled debt payments in one year.

The first private passenger rail service in more than a century in the U.S. is finding it difficult getting more people to pay higher fares as it works to increase its revenues faster. Brightline faces some big debt payments in 2026. At least one analyst warns of default.

Florida's new rules for rail crossings take effect Jan. 1, aimed at reducing the number of drivers and pedestrians killed by trains. But they won't lead to wholesale change along the deadly Brightline corridor, where 195 people have been killed. The rules are for new projects, not existing ones. Here is a look at the safety solutions experts say could be most effective.

Florida's private passenger train service had concentrated on growing its long distance service between South Florida and Orlando. In recent weeks, it has changed pricing and schedules in hopes of attracting regional commuters, too.

Brightline revenue and ridership is up so far this year as it continues looking for a financial partner. The service has billions of dollars in debt and is operating at a loss. One investor thinks the "most bearish view" is reflected in recent bond prices.

Lower passenger fares in June led credit rating agency S&P Global to cut its rating on some of Brightline's bonds. The passenger train service hopes to refinance other borrowing, but at higher interest rates.

On "The Florida Roundup," we spoke about what’s causing record-breaking heat in parts of the state with meteorologist Megan Borowski. Also, how extreme heat can affect your health with Dr. Cheryl Holder and more.

The private passenger rail service said it continues to "actively progress" a plan to sell a "substantial amount of equity" as it postponed paying interest on some of its borrowings.