12-05-2025
Brightline hikes commuter passes 125%, angering riders
Brightline just rolled out a new South Florida commuter pass that some riders say is way too expensive.
Why it matters: The privately run rail service announced in January that its new commuter pass — funded by a $33 million federal grant — was "expected to save daily commuters money," according to the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
Reality check: The new passes unveiled this month actually cost as much as 125% more than the old ones.
The Miami-to-West Palm Beach bundle costs $899 for 40 one-way rides, or $22.50 per ride.
The old commuter bundle, called the SoFlo Solo pass, cost $399 for 40 rides, or $10 each, before Brightline discontinued it last June.
What they're saying: "WHO can afford THIS?" local sports reporter Jeremy Taché asked on X.
Taché, who appears on "The Dan LeBatard Show with Stugotz" and Fanduel Sports Network, said he used to be a "loyal" Brightline commuter before prices crept up to $399 a month, which he said was "tough to swallow but worth it considering our traffic patterns."
"@GoBrightline why do you only want rich people to have access to transportation?"
He's not the only one complaining, as Miami New Times first reported.
The other side: Brightline did not respond to a request for comment, but the company touted the new passes in a May 6 press release.
"Whether it's for weekday commutes or weekend escapes, the new Brightline Passes offer a reliable, modern ride with a fixed-rate fare to get frequent travelers where they need to go," said Barbara Drahl, senior vice president of marketing and commercial strategy.
Zoom in: Brightline also offers passes connecting Miami to Aventura ($299 for 40 rides) and Miami to Fort Lauderdale ($699 for 40 rides).
The Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach passes also come in 10- and 20-ride bundles, too. Full pricing here.
The passes are valid for 30 days.
The new passes are technically cheaper than the 10-ride bundles Brightline rolled out last summer to replace the old commuter passes.
Those cost between $250 and $350.
Between the lines: Brightline, which launched in South Florida in 2018, has shifted seating capacity from local trips in favor of long-haul rides to Orlando, which launched in 2023.
The Sun Sentinel wrote last year that Brightline was always intended to be a regional train between Miami and Orlando — "not the upscale commuter service that has become popular among South Florida riders during an interim build-out period."
