Brightline & Mears Transportation Announce Partnership

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Uncategorized

Brightline has announced a partnership with Mears Transportation that will see the latter’s fleet “incorporated into Brightline’s innovative door-to-door booking service . . . enabling guests to easily plan and book their entire journey within one seamless transaction.” As part of the partnership, Mears Transportation will power “Shared Connect Shuttle” and “Luxury Private Ride,” services that will offer transportation between Orlando International Airport and Walt Disney World Resort.

Brightline, Mears Transportation Announce Partnership

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The announcement coincides with the upcoming commencement of Brightline services between five South Florida stations and Orlando International Airport. Brightline will start to offer those services on September 22, its new partnership with Mears Transportation offering several ways for those who travel via Brightline to get to their ultimate destination.

rightline launched in 2018 as a rail service connecting Miami and West Palm Beach. The line currently services five South Florida stations and will add Orlando International Airport to its offerings this week. Service will ultimately extend (close to) the borders of Walt Disney World Resort, as the company plans to build a Brightline station near Disney Springs. Plans for a Brightline station near the site of Universal’s forthcoming Epic Universe have also been revealed.

Mears Transportation is an Orlando-based transportation service that has long provided shuttles between Orlando International Airport and Walt Disney World Resort. It started offering Mears Connect in 2022 after Disney ended its Disney’s Magical Express Service. Mears Connect formally merged with Sunshine Flyer, a similar service, in August of this year.

Read the full press release from Brightline announcing the partnership below.

BRIGHTLINE ANNOUNCES ORLANDO TRANSPORTATION PARTNERS

Orlando, Fla. (Sept. 20, 2023) – Today, Brightline and Mears Transportation announced a new partnership that will conveniently connect travelers between the Brightline Orlando Station in partnership with Orlando Health and various popular destinations within the region. The Mears Transportation fleet will be incorporated into Brightline’s innovative door-to-door booking service, Brightline+, available on its mobile app and website, enabling guests to easily plan and book their entire journey within one seamless transaction. Additionally, Brightline guests wishing to reserve a car may enjoy special rates when booking through Brightline’s preferred partnership with Avis Car Rental.

The new Brightline+ Shared Connect Shuttle and Luxury Private Ride powered by Mears allow guests to effortlessly extend their journey by reserving transportation to and from Orlando International Airport’s Brightline train station. Reservations can be made during the booking process or added by modifying a trip closer to travel dates beginning October 4. Once booked, guests will receive a reservation confirmation directly from Mears with travel instructions including driver details, pickup location and vehicle identifiers. 

“Last mile connectivity is an integral piece of the travel experience for our guests, Mears is the respected transportation leader in Central Florida and will be a valuable partner delivering our  Brightline+  service  in Orlando,” said Michael Lefevre, vice president of operations for Brightline. “Mears Transportation is familiar to Orlando travelers and a brand that aligns seamlessly with the level of hospitality our guests know and love.”  

“As an Orlando based company, we are excited to welcome Brightline to Orlando and the Brightline guests traveling to and from the Orlando Station,” said Rebecca K Horton COO – Mears Transportation Group. “What a great addition to the Orlando area, connecting people between South and Central Florida! Brightline guests will have the opportunity to use Mears Luxury & Mears Connect services, pending their destination. We are grateful for the partnership with Brightline and our team is eager to get started.”

BRIGHTLINE+ IN ORLANDO

  • Shared Connect Shuttles Powered by Mears: Say hello to Orlando’s exclusive 24/7, Florida-themed shuttle service. Effortlessly connect to and from Orlando International Airport and Walt Disney World® Resorts. This shared shuttle service provides access to over 25 top resorts. Exceptional convenience comes standard: one-way adult fares start at just $16, and child fares begin at $13. As a bonus, little adventurers aged 3 and under ride for free.
  • Luxury Private Rides Powered by Mears: For guests seeking to elevate their Orlando travels to the level of luxury they’ve come to expect from Brightline+, we introduce Luxury Private Rides powered by Mears. Arrive in style at your Orlando destination aboard our carefully curated fleet of luxury sedans, plush SUVs, and versatile vans. Elegance is just a booking away, with rates starting at $63 per vehicle.

BRIGHTLINE+ IN SOUTH FLORIDA 

  • Fixed Route Shuttles: offer pickup and dropoff service to and from Brightline MiamiCentral and Fort Lauderdale Stations with complimentary shuttles to and from Aventura Mall at Brightline Aventura Station. Shuttles depart 10 minutes after each train arrival.
  • Airport Shuttles: bi-directional, fixed route shuttles provide pick ups at Miami International Airport (MIA) and Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport (FLL) at a flat rate of $10 per person and can be paid upon boarding shuttles. Live Airport Connector shuttle status can be tracked here. 
  • Neighborhood Electric Vehicles powered by Circuit: complimentary, all-electric, walk-up, first-and-last-mile shuttle with services around stations and nearby downtown areas in West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale and Miami. 
  • Special Event Shuttles: offer complimentary direct service to select games and events including the Miami Heat, Miami Marlins, Inter Miami, Miami Dolphins and events at Hard Rock Stadium.
  • Scooter rentals, BrightBike and CitiBike rentals are available at all south Florida stations.

Avis Car Rentals are now available in Orlando joining MiamiCentral, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Boca Raton and Aventura Mall Stations. In Orlando, guests can reserve a rental car available in Terminal C, a short walk from the Train Station. In addition to enjoying BrightLine preferred pricing, guests can manage their rental by downloading the Avis app.  

BRIGHTLINE+ UBER ORLANDO AND SOUTH FLORIDA

Riders can utilize private rides powered by Uber and its multiple mobility options in Central and South Florida, which can be reserved during the train booking process on the Brightline app or website. This Brightline+ service includes complimentary private rides available for PREMIUM ticket holders within a five-mile radius of all Brightline South Florida stations (Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach). 

Brightline+ was launched in South Florida in 2021 to make it seamless for guests to connect to Brightline stations and surrounding destinations. For more information and details on Brightline+ including Orlando connectivity options visit gobrightline.com/mobility.

BRIGHTLINE ORLANDO TICKETS 

Tickets between Orlando and Miami are now on sale for travel through March 2024 with one-way SMART fares starting at $79 for adults and $39 for kids. Groups of 4+ automatically save an additional 25 percent on SMART fares. One-way PREMIUM fares start at $149, a first class experience with added amenities including a dedicated PREMIUM lounge, priority boarding, checked luggage, and complimentary snacks and beverages throughout the journey. Purchase tickets now at  gobrightline.com.

Disney Pulls Out of Brightline Project – No Stop Coming to Disney Springs

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Uncategorized

For years, Disney has been working with Brightline to bring a train stop to the Disney Springs area of Walt Disney World Resort. The Brightline currently runs from Miami to West Palm Beach, but has been building track to extend operations all the way to Orlando. Both Disney and Universal were working with the train company to create stops at their respective Resorts, which would give Guests more airports to be able to fly into to get to the parks. However, in a move that not many saw coming, Disney announced that they are pulling out of the project.

The Orlando Sentinel reported on Disney’s decision and, according to Disney, they decided to pull out once they saw new plans for the project and realized the new route would not actually go through Disney. Per The Sentinel:

“As many people who are involved in this project are aware, the new route configuration does not support a Disney Springs station and as a result, we don’t anticipate being part of this project,” said Disney spokesperson Avery Maehrer, who declined to provide further detail.

Disney and Brightline have been in talks since at least 2018 over opening a station on resort property. Brightline expects to start service from South Florida to Orlando International Airport about one year from now and has been deeply engaged in planning for an extension from the airport to Tampa, passing along Interstate 4 near Disney.

But this spring, SunRail and International Drive interests announced planning for a rail corridor from the airport to the tourism district, which includes Universal Orlando, and that Brightline would pivot to cooperate in that route as well. The underlying expectation is for major federal grants to finance much of that corridor.

The new route would take the Brightline through International Drive, which is right near the Universal Orlando Resort, which is why the Resort is still a part of the project. Universal Orlando is currently building a massive third theme park called Epic Universe and will be adding 14,000 new employees in the coming years to work there. Adding in Universal’s employees to the ones who will need to work along the new route, more than 100,000 jobs will be added to the Orlando area in total, which makes the route a necessary one for new employees and Guests as well.

Epic Universe

Should Brightline decide to change the route once again and go through Disney Springs as originally planned, it is possible the company could decide to go back in on the project. Disney made it clear that the move to pull out of the project had nothing to do with the issues that the House of Mouse is having with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

Brightline Train Reaches New Milestone

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Disney Resorts

Looking for the best and easiest way to get to and from Central Florida? With theme park giants like Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort, traffic is always a pain… but how about taking a train?

I-4 not only recently opened new express lanes for a toll fee, but Walt Disney World has even announced it is expanding outside of its property bubble with a new Disney Store and digital display for all to enjoy while traveling I-4.

orlando international airport mco

Now, we’re shifting our focus to Orlando International Airport (MCO) where construction is under work to expand with a new Terminal C opening later this summer to keep up with MCO’s massive volume of travelers. MCO had a new visitor however as Brightline has set a new milestone in the Orlando area.

With planes and automobiles covered… Orlando is shifting its focus to TRAINS! On Wednesday, May 18, 2022, the very first Brightline train arrived at the Orlando International Airport. The high-speed rail service has been the center of much buzz lately as it works to connect Orlando to Miami.

Check out the video below from FOX 35 Orlando:

What makes this even sweeter for Disney travelers? Well, Walt Disney World Resort (and Universal Orlando Resort) are currently in talks with Brightline and Orlando’s local commuter rail, SunRail, to provide train service to the theme parks. The initial proposal is to open a Disney train station in the Disney Springs area.

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There is still much discussion and planning in the works for the Disney Springs station, but we are eager to experience a high-speed train as the perfect transportation to take Guests from the airport to Disney’s property easily. Of course, we’re still missing Disney’s Magical Express, but are happy to have other transportation possibilities in the works.

Train Route to Walt Disney World Delayed Indefinitely

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

We’re sorry to say Walt Disney World travelers, but the highly anticipated train route with Brightline that was planned to deliver guests from Orlando’s airport to Disney World and Tampa has been delayed indefinitely.

As reported by OrlandoSentinel: “The Central Florida Expressway Authority agreed unanimously Tuesday (July 20) to delay indefinitely a decision over whether to allow Brightline Trains to build passenger rail beside the agency’s State Road 417 on the way from Orlando’s airport to Walt Disney World and Tampa. The vote came after nearly 3.5 hours of discussion dominated by a coordinated push from representatives of the International Drive tourism strip and the Hunter’s Creek residential community to deny access by the private rail company to the tolled S.R. 417 expressway. Such a denial would force Brightline to consider a significantly more costly route to the tourism strip.”

So, what’s Universal’s involvement? A consultant hired by Universal and International Drive merchants said the alternative route could cost as little as $294 million more than Brightline’s choice. On the other hand, a consultant hired by Brightline said they estimate the $1 billion cost for the preferred route would increase to $1.7 billion to take the International Drive route.

“We will put our money and our resources where our mouth is,” said John Sprouls, executive vice president and chief administrative officer for Universal Parks & Resorts, adding that his company would donate 17 acres for the rail corridor at the convention center. “We want to be part of the solution.”

Central Florida Expressway Authority Votes To Delay Brightline Orlando to Tampa Connector

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

During a meeting lasting over three hours, members of the Central Florida Expressway Authority voted to delay Brightline construction along State Route 417. The decision was unanimous. The Authority’s decision puts construction of the Brightline Orlando to Tampa connector in limbo.

The Expressway Authority has been under pressure from International Drive businesses as well as the Hunter’s Creek residential area. Those groups do not want Brightline to build along State Route 417. Current plans call for a stop at Disney Springs between Tampa and Orlando.

brightline-2021-complete-florida-service-map

This evening’s decision will force Brightline to consider a more costly route. Meanwhile, work continues on the Miami to Orlando line, which reached its halfway point in late May.