Among the collateral damage of a quick divorce between Brightline and Virgin Trains USA is the name for the planned high-speed connection from Las Vegas to Southern California.

"The planned high-speed train system set to run between Las Vegas and Southern California will no longer bear the Virgin Trains USA name," reports Mick Ackers.
"Instead, the Las Vegas to Victorville rail line will continue forward under the Xpresswest name."
The name change is the result of a partnership between Brightline and Virgin Trains to operate the line under the latter's name. Now, Brightline has indicated that the deal has been terminated in a report filed with the Florida Department of Finance. The partnership between Brightline and Virgin Trains lasted just over a year, after breaking news in April 2019.
A separate article by Jonathan Levin focuses more on the demise of the partnership, less on the specifics of the plans for the high-speed train between Las Vegas and Southern California.
According to Levin's reading of the Florida Department of Finance report, "[Brightline] said its name will be Brightline Trains LLC and that Virgin had no remaining equity ownership or affiliation. It said it delivered a termination notice on July 29, which Virgin is disputing."
Although Virgin has had a tough year in the transportation sector, as documented by both articles, the Las Vegas-to-Southern California high speed rail project seems to still be on track.
"In April, California approved the allocation of $600 million in tax-exempt bonds for the project, which can be marketed for a total of $2.4 billion in tax-free, private equity bonds, per IRS regulations," according to Ackers, and "[t]he U.S. Department of Transportation in March approved $1 billion in tax-free private bonds for the project."
FULL STORY: Virgin out as partner in Las Vegas to SoCal high-speed rail project

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower
A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”
The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont