Virgin and Brightline form strategic partnership

Brightline branded train
Image from Brightline
Head shot of Tania Steere.  She is smiling, with long, wavy blonde hair
by Tania Steere
16 November 2018

Brightline, America’s first new major private intercity passenger railroad in over a century, has announced a new strategic partnership and trademark licensing agreement with the Virgin Group. 

Brightline launched services between Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach in May 2018 and currently has plans to expand to Orlando and Tampa. Pending approvals, it will begin railway construction next year to connect Las Vegas to Southern California. Virgin Group will make a minority investment in Brightline, which will be managed and operated by Brightline’s executive team and affiliates of Fortress Investment Group.

“Our private sector-led effort to reinvent passenger rail service in America is taking another leap forward with the addition of the Virgin team,” said Wes Edens, chairman of Brightline and co-founder of Fortress Investment Group. “Virgin has built a respected and trusted brand in travel and hospitality. With our shared focus on customer experience, powered by a culture of innovation and disruption, we are well positioned to build on our success.”

Three Brightline trains with brightly coloured stripes on them
Image from Brightline

Richard Branson added: “We have had a lot of fun and success creating innovative transport businesses that shake up markets and establish loyal followings. We transformed domestic air travel with Virgin America. Tens of millions of Americans travel on the railways every day, and we have tried for over a decade to find an opportunity to provide them with that same excellent service experience. Brightline is at the forefront of innovation in this market, and the ideal partner for Virgin to work with to alter perceptions and travelling habits across the United States.”

The partnership could help to provide access to millions of customers with the potential for increased ridership from other Virgin branded travel and hospitality businesses, including Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Hotels and Virgin Voyages.

Head over to Richard’s blog to read more about Virgin Trains USA.