The closely monitored private rail company says it has no plans to reopen in Florida any time soon, even as the state relaxes its stay-at-home orders and intercity rail in other parts of the country prepares to restart.
"Virgin Trains USA said Wednesday that it won’t restart its fledgling railroad service in Florida for months, even as the state begins reopening and mass transit reemerges from the coronavirus shutdown in other parts of the country," reports Jonathan Levin.
In the meantime, the company says it is focusing on "construction to Orlando and the development of new stations in Boca Raton, Aventura and PortMiami," according to Levin.
Service on the Miami-to-West Palm Beach route has been suspended since March, shortly before Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a stay-at-home order. For a comparison, Amtrak is planning to restart Acela service on the Northeast Corridor on June 1.
FULL STORY: Virgin Trains USA Says Florida Rail to Stay Shut for Months
Amtrak in Dire Financial Straits, Seeking More Federal Relief Funding
Amtrak officials say they need $4.9 billion in funding to prevent service and job losses.
Amtrak Planning Extensive Service Cuts
The disappointment of 2020 has hit Amtrak particularly hard.
A Big Week for Virgin Trains USA, Formerly Brightline, in Florida
Virgin Trains USA has the funding to start construction on a rail link between Orland and West Palm Beach, and the system has launched its official rebranding under its new ownership.
Rethinking Redlining
For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network
The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.
Seattle’s Pike Place Market Leans Into Pedestrian Infrastructure
After decades of debate, the market is testing a car ban in one of its busiest areas and adding walking links to the surrounding neighborhood.
The World’s Longest Light Rail Line is in… Los Angeles?
In a city not known for its public transit, the 48.5-mile A Line is the longest of its kind on the planet.
Quantifying Social Infrastructure
New developments have clear rules for ensuring surrounding roads, water, and sewers can handle new users. Why not do the same for community amenities?
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions