Florida's Brightline passenger-rail service to launch in late July

Brightline, a new private passenger-rail service in southern Florida, will begin introductory express service between West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale in late July, followed by service to Miami in late August, the company announced late last week.

Company officials anticipate hosting a grand-opening ceremony and official launch of the train service in September, according to a Brightline press release.

Additionally, Brightline officials will welcome "BrightPink," the second of five custom-built trainsets manufactured by Siemens at its plant in Sacramento, Calif.

The rail service's 60,000-square-foot stations in West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale are nearing completion, while the MiamiCentral station that includes elevated track is expected to be ready for the introductory Miami train service. Rail infrastructure improvements on the corridor between West Palm Beach are 80 percent completed.

The ticket prices, frequent rider passes and Brightline's new mobile application will be announced closer to the service launch, officials said.

Brightline's second phase will extend train service to Orlando. The company is finalizing permitting and will have a better of idea of timing for that route after the introductory service begins this summer, they said.