THE RIGHT-OF-WAY LEASE THAT BRIGHTLINE/VIRGIN TRAINS USA NEEDS TO CONNECT ORLANDO WITH TAMPA IS ON HOLD. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has extended the negotiation deadline for this lease due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The FDOT and Brightline have extended the negotiation deadlines regarding this lease five times before.

Read more about this article here.

A WOMAN WAS KILLED AFTER THEIR CAR WAS STRUCK BY A BRIGHTLINE TRAIN TUESDAY MORNING, reports NBC Miami. The Broward Sheriff's Office pronounced her dead at the scene.

This is the 44 death after being struck by a Brightline since the its initial test runs in 2017.

Read more here.

THE FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINSTRATION RELEASED A FOURTH-QUARTER 2019 REPORT FEB 27, highlighting the status on railroads' progress in implementing positive train control (PTC) systems as required by Congress.

According to the report, eight host railroads, including Florida East Coast Railway—and their tenant railroad, Brightline/Virgin Trains USA— are at risk of not fully implementing a PTC systems by the Dec 31, 2020 deadline.

Read more here.

A WOMAN WAS TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL TUESDAY AFTER HER PICKUP WAS STRUCK BY A BRIGHTLINE TRAIN. Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Michael B. Kane reported that the woman sustained back injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital.

Read more here.

FLORIDA OFFICIALS ARE CONSIDERING LEGISLATION TO CURB HIGH NUMBER OF DEATHS ON THE TRACKS OF THE BRIGHTLINE/VIRGIN TRAINS USA PASSENGER RAIL. Since Brightline's launch, an average of more than one person a month has been killed, designating it as the "nation's deadliest railroad."

During a news conference, Brightline stated that 75% of the incidents were results of suicide or drugs, but a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) study reveals that suicides only account for 30% of all rail fatalities.

IN APRIL 2014, FLORIDA BULLDOG REPORTED THAT BRIGHTLINE (NOW VIRGIN TRAINS, USA) REJECTED RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MORE SUFFICIENT SAFETY FEATURES AT PLANNED RAIL CROSSINGS, where their train would be running up to speeds of 79 mph. These safety measures were recommended by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), which included sealed corridors at 31 crossings as well as fenced bridges and underpasses.

THE U.S. COURT OF APPEALS REJECTED INDIAN RIVER COUNTY'S CLAIMS OF IMPROPERLY APPROVED FUNDS FOR BRIGHTLINE/VIRGIN TRAINS USA FRIDAY.

However, this is not the end to the fight.

A MAN WAS KILLED AFTER BEING STRUCK BY A TRAIN FRIDAY NIGHT. The Palm Beach County Fire Rescue reported that the man died at the scene.

Read more here.

Original article written by Sabrina Lolo of the 12 News.

TRAIN WRECK TIMES

BY SUSAN MEHIEL

GOOD NEWS AND BAD

We are pleased to report our Guest Column in the TC Palm newspapers ran today. Read the article here.

STATE SENATOR DEBBIE MAYFIELD PLANS TO PUSH BILL FOR INCREASED SAFETY REGULATIONS FOR HIGHER-SPEED PASSENGER RAILROADS. Mayfield plans to submit her proposal later this month.

This bill follows the findings in the 2018 Office of Program Policy and Government Accountability report, which reported that more deaths and injuries occur along the Florida passenger-rails lines than the national average.

Read more here.