Tracking A Brighter Future

FEW PROJECTS have impacted how Floridians travel more than Brightline. Beginning in 2012, when Fortress Investment Group announced the “All Aboard Florida” effort to build the only privately owned and operated intercity passenger rail service in the country, Brightline has changed the way we go from Miami all the way to Orlando.

Officially launched in 2018, Brightline has station stops in Miami, Aventura, Ft. Lauderdale, Boca Raton, and in 2023, started serving Orlando. More stations are in the planning stages, including a West Coast expansion, where Brightline West will go from Southern California to Las Vegas.

Overseeing this multi-billion-dollar enterprise is Patrick Goddard, Chief Executive Officer of Brightline Florida. Originally from Ireland, he has degrees in business and hospitality from Trinity College Dublin and Technological University Dublin, with extensive experience in the hotel and hospitality sectors.

Goddard has been recognized by Orlando Magazine as one of the “50 Most Powerful People in Orlando,” and included among South Florida Business Journal’s “Power Leaders 250” and Florida Trend’s “500 Most Influential Leaders.” Goddard also serves on the boards of the Miami Downtown Development Authority and the FIFA World Cup 2026 Miami Host Committee.

Goddard shares how Brightline has impacted how we get around and what might be coming next in this interview with AQUA Pinecrest:

As Brightline Florida CEO, you’ve watched Brightline grow and expand under your leadership. What has guiding Brightline meant to you, both personally and professionally?

Brightline has catalyzed and reintroduced the conversation of what travel should look like in America and has given people a reason to believe that passenger rail is a big part of that equation. Watching this discussion begin in South Florida first has been especially rewarding. Watching South Florida friends, neighbors, and business colleagues make Brightline a part of their lives continues to be one of the most rewarding parts of the job.

Brightline started as an alternative to driving I-95. Can you share how ridership has grown since Brightline made its debut in South Florida, and the overall impact on how people commute here?

Brightline currently moves close to 300,000 guests per month, and ridership continues to grow. We provide a safe alternative to the awful traffic of I-95, the Florida Turnpike, and avoid the hassle involved in taking a short flight. Guests are making Brightline a part of their lives, traveling whether it be a weekend getaway to the parks or a cruise, a business meeting, attending one of the many sports or entertainment events in the state, or even a daily commute to work.

The traditional lines that separate business and leisure travel are dissolving—which impacts the hospitality industry in a good way. “Bleisure” is a trend that is expected to become a multi-billion-dollar sub-industry within the existing travel market. More than half of business travelers extend their business trips into personal trips multiple times each year.

It isn’t just commuting; it is connecting across communities. Brightline makes this option even easier.

Historically, high-speed mass transit has had a difficult time gaining a foothold in this country. Why do you think that is, and how has Brightline succeeded in changing that mindset?

Brightline has put our guests first since day one, designing the train sets and each station. From the signature citrus scents in the stations to the high-speed Starlink to keep guests connected while traveling, we put the guest experience first. I have a hotel background, like many of our teammates, and we have always been driven to be a hospitality company that is in the train business. We understand that it’s not enough to just provide the commodity of transportation, but it must also offer a first-class experience.

Adding Orlando was the realization of a longtime Brightline goal. Has it met your expectations, and how has it impacted Brightline’s overall operations?

Completing construction and delivering Orlando service was always the goal. Brightline is intercity rail, connecting city pairs too far to drive and too close to fly. We have now connected the state’s most visited regions. With the FIFA World Cup around the corner and so many exciting reasons to ride Brightline between Orlando and South Florida, we are just getting started.

Brightline is heavily invested in promoting public safety and developing public safety messaging and programs. What rail safety programs are currently in place and what else can be done in that regard? 

Brightline has introduced one of the safest forms of transportation in the state of Florida and is moving millions of people out of their cars, off dangerous roadways, and onto our trains. We have been a leader in the industry on safety initiatives related to education, enforcement, and engineering. Brightline has invested hundreds of millions into modernizing the tracks and crossing systems, and that work continues. Safety is a team effort, and we are considered a leader in this space, and we work collaboratively with federal, state, and local governments to amplify that commitment.

MiamiCentral station serves as a nexus for transportation, urban living, and restaurants. How do you view its role in both Brightline’s and downtown Miami’s future?

I am so proud of how MiamiCentral is transforming the neighborhood. Most recently with the opening of Central Fare, our food collective. Downtown Miami has been a food desert for decades and now we have introduced some of the most talented chef-driven concepts to the neighborhood—all under one roof. MiamiCentral’s development with 800 plus residential units, 300,000 square feet of office space, and 130,000 square feet of retail, has catalyzed significant growth on the western edge of downtown Miami.

Brightline ticket prices fluctuate by time of day and day of week. How are prices determined, and how often do they change?

Brightline pricing is dynamic and always based on demand. We offer both Premium and Smart classes of service and are always offering special ticket options from promotions to frequent rider passes to encourage guests to take the train. Our Brightline Rewards program, introduced earlier this year, offers savings and specials, and I encourage everyone to sign up today.

Incorporating “last mile” options like Uber and shuttle services to the airports and ports is a smart idea. Does Brightline offer similar services in Orlando to the amusement parks?

With Brightline Orlando Station presented by Orlando Health located within the Orlando International Airport, transportation to many attractions is already in place. This airport has been getting people to theme parks for as long as the parks have operated; there are well-established transportation options, including hotel and resort shuttles, rental cars, and rideshare, etc.

Looking down the track, so to speak, what’s the outlook for expanding Brightline service to Tampa and Florida’s Space Coast? Is service to Jacksonville also a possibility?

Right now, our focus is continuing to grow ridership between Central and South Florida. We are working with the cities of Stuart and Cocoa Beach for new stations, and we also continue

to collaborate with local government in central Florida on our phased expansion to Tampa. We hope to have more to share on this soon

BY GERRY BARKER