ORLANDO, Fla. — Plans for express train service connecting central and south Florida are in the works.
Officials said "Brightline" is where transportation meets hospitality along a 235-mile route through the Sunshine State.
With about 100 million visitors each year, the new Brightline train service aims to connect major cities throughout central and south Florida and bypass the traffic-clogged highways that are the only option for travelers who don't want to fly.
"(There is a) continued reliance on more and more cars on ever (more) congested roadways," said Mike Reininger of All Aboard Florida.
Brightline aims to make the journey three hours faster than by car and comparable to the total time of flying.
Riders will be able to board at Orlando International Airport's new South Intermodal Center.
Once that's completed, travelers will have access to the train, flights and other Orlando-based transportation options.
Brightline still has a long way to go.
"For now, we have construction happening at each of our transportation hubs in downtown West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Miami Central," said Reininger.
Reininger said the trains are being assembled in California while enhancements are made to the existing railroad, including a new signaling and communication system, with hopes of having Brightline up and running by mid-2017.
Brightline will be the only privately owned and operated rail service in the U.S.
Officials said more information on ticketing and prices will be available in the coming months.