Miami, FL

Brightline trains break 4 March records as Miami-Orlando eclipses South Florida service

Published

2 years ago

April 25, 2024

Brightline trains break 4 March records as Miami-Orlando eclipses South Florida service

Brightline’s growing long-distance ridership continued to eclipse the fluctuating short-distance ridership, helping the high-speed rail company break four records in March, according to its latest reports.

The Miami-Orlando service that launched Sept. 22 broke records in March for:

4,600 average daily bookings
133,928 monthly ridership

That boosted total ridership for Miami-Orlando and South Florida service combined:

8,332 total daily average bookings, up from 7,887 in February
258,307 total monthly ridership

Brightline has prioritized online seat bookings for Miami-Orlando, cutting the share available for South Florida. Lower ridership and higher ticket prices for the short-distance service is “consistent with Brightline’s strategy as it rolls out long-distance service,” according to S&P Global Ratings.

But Brightline plans to add more Siemens coaches to accommodate more passengers. The new coaches will arrive later this year, spokesperson Katie Mitzner previously told TCPalm. Each 240-seat train now contains four coaches flanked by two engines. Stations can accommodate 10 coaches, Mitzner said.

Miami-Orlando ridership eclipsed South Florida ridership for the first time in January and again in March, but not in February. TCPalm doesn’t know whether the shorter month was the reason. Miami-Orlando ridership has been growing since the service began over six months ago:

17,578 in September
79,686 in October
93,184 in November
115,683 in December
122,703 in January
113,874 in February
133,928 in March

South Florida ridership increased 9% to 124,379 in March compared to February, but was 31% less than 179,576 in March 2023. It has fluctuated since the Miami-Orlando service started:

125,475 in September
126,059 in October
112,423 in November
121,386 in December
113,560 in January
114,264 in February
124,379 in March

Combined ridership was:

143,053 in September
205,745 in October
205,607 in November
237,069 in December
236,263 in January
228,138 in February
258,307 in March

Miami-Orlando average daily bookings for months Brightline has released data were:

2,800 in October
4,200 in January
4,300 in February
4,600 in March

Ananya Tiwari is a business reporter for TCPalm. You can reach her via email at ananya.tiwari@tcpalm.com or follow her work on Facebook, Twitter or X, and MuckRack.

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Miami, FL

Miami Central students prepare for life changing trip to Zimbabwe amid funding challenges

Published

1 hour ago

June 19, 2026

Press Room

Miami Central students prepare for life changing trip to Zimbabwe amid funding challenges

A group of South Florida students is preparing to travel more than 8,000 miles to Zimbabwe next Wednesday, though organizers say reaching their fundraising goals has become increasingly difficult this year.

Ten students from Miami Central Senior High School are scheduled to spend 18 days in the country as part of the Blindfolded International Student Cultural Exchange Program (BISCEP). The initiative aims to provide students with cultural immersion and foster global relationships.

“I’m really excited but also a tad bit nervous,” said 11th grader Shonneice Ferris.

For student Samir Rios, the trip offers a chance to engage with a new community. “The most anticipated thing that I’m looking forward to is most likely the students and the kids,” Rios said.

During the 18-day excursion, students plan to attend local schools, volunteer at an orphanage, and visit sites including Victoria Falls. “The first week we’re going to be going to school in Zimbabwe,” Ferris said.

Despite the program’s history of successful trips, BISCEP founder Edwin Sheppard said fundraising efforts have stalled. Many longtime donors have reduced their contributions due to budget constraints.

“A lot of our donors, our past donors, have not been able to donate what they’ve donated in the past,” Sheppard said. “A lot of budget cuts, and so we’re still struggling to raise all of the funding.”

Organizers confirmed the trip will proceed as scheduled despite the financial hurdles.

“This is two different schools, two different sides of the world and two different continents, and I think we’re going to do something amazing out of this,” Rios said.

The students are scheduled to depart next Wednesday. Organizers continue to seek donations to cover the remaining costs. Those interested in supporting the Miami Central Senior High students can find more information at biscep.org.

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Miami, FL

Miami ‘At the Top’ for Star In-State 2028 Running Back

Published

11 hours ago

June 18, 2026

Press Room

Miami ‘At the Top’ for Star In-State 2028 Running Back

The contact period for 2028 recruits officially opened on June 15th, and Miami has been active on the recruiting trail.

Now more than ever, recruiting players early matters, with several committing before taking their official visits in their senior season.

Miami has been high on 2028 running back Terriel Harmon for a while, and he discussed the Hurricanes with Miami Hurricanes on SI.

READ MORE: Miami Hurricanes’ 2027 Football Commitment Tracker

The Hurricanes contacted Harmon almost immediately after the contact period opened and got down to business with him.

“The running backs coach (Coach Merritt) hit me up, and we just talked about the leadership I am going to bring to Miami and the environment of Miami,” Harmon said.

Even before the contact period opened up, Harmon already had a sense of what Miami was like.

“They bring the energy,” Harmon continued. “I love the players like Javian Mallory, Malachi Toney, and Mark Fletcher.”

Mallory is an incoming freshman running back at Miami, and he played high school ball at West Boca. Harmon just transferred to the South Florida power. The two of them have a great connection, and Mallory is recruiting Harmon to join him in college.

“He’s been telling me that Miami is the place to be and that it is great,” Harmon said.

Even though it’s still early in his recruitment, the Hurricanes are still in a prime position for the local three-star running back.

“I’m still not sure where I will go to school, but Miami is for sure at the top,” Harmon finished.

More About the 2028 Class

Jan 19, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal reacts after the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The 2028 class will be crucial for the future of Miami. Arguably, the two best prospects of the past few years, Amir Sears and Bryson Wright, are right in the Hurricanes’ backyard, and the two could change the course of Hurricanes football if they come.

Overall, the 2028 class in Florida might be one of the best in any state ever. There is so much talent throughout the state, and Miami is looking to get a class that rivals this 2027 class, which is the top three in the country per Rivals.

Some other in-state prospects that the Hurricanes are targeting include Gabriel Player (four-star linebacker), Asher Ghioto (four-star defensive lineman), Antonio Thompson Jr. (four-star defensive back), and George Selvie (four-star offensive lineman), amongst a ton of others.

While Harmon is only a three-star now, it would not be surprising if he becomes a four-star by the end of his senior season.