Reimaging a better future through sustainable, eco-friendly rail

At Brightline, we are reimagining the ride, and alongside it we are committed to improving the environment and the communities we serve. From supporting the use of solar power at our stations to working towards operating completely carbon-free rides; we know every choice we make has an impact, and we are proud to be focussed on making all the right ones.

Are Brightline trains eco-friendly?

By using clean biodiesel and emissions (after treatment) to power our locomotives, Brightline is on track to realise carbon-free rides. This results in removing 72K metric tonnes of CO2 emissions from the communities we serve every day and helps to remove three million cars from roads each year. Travelling by our train is also 378 per cent more efficient than a car, and 44 per cent more efficient than a plane. You can reduce your carbon footprint by 59-83 per cent taking the train over other forms of transportation.

Here is a breakdown of what travelling by a Brightline train vs car or plane looks like:

• You can reduce your emissions by approximately 60 per cent by taking the train vs the plane
• You can reduce your emissions by approximately by 83 per cent by taking the train vs the car.

As gas prices continue to increase and the global impact of CO2 emissions becomes more evident every day, Brightline is focussed on providing millions with a more viable, greener, and convenient transportation solution.

We source our biodiesel locally from Florida Power and Light out of West Palm Beach. They provide a custom blend for Brightline, designed specifically for our locomotives. This diesel emission fluid (DEF) is used to chemically convert the oxides of nitrogen to nitrogen gas and water. That is what makes Brightline so clean on the emissions side, and as a result, you have a high‑functioning product that comes at a low footprint.

Our transit service in Florida also provides an alternative mode of transportation for inter-city travel and reduces transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions. Our Florida operations utilise the Siemens Charger locomotive, an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Tier 4 emission certified locomotive. Tier 4 emission standards are EPA’s most stringent emission standard for non-road engines and requires the use of Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel, which results in approximately 90 per cent reduction of emissions as compared to Tier 0 locomotives.

What you need to know about Brightline’s trains

Dual locomotives

Every Brightline trainset is powered by two locomotives, with one on each end. The train will never have to turn around; it just runs back and forth. Having two locomotives provides backup power in case one engine fails and keeps the A/C blowing in all conditions. Also, the locomotives are modular; the roof can be easily removed, and every major component can be lifted out and replaced.

Sustainability

Brightline operates the most environmentally friendly biodiesel-electric trainsets in service. Its locomotives meet the highest emission standards set by the federal government.

Diesel-electric engine

The train is powered by a 16-cylinder, 4,000hp Cummins EPA Tier-IV compliant diesel-electric engine, and there is one in each of the trains’ two locomotives. That is a hugely powerful engine which is known for how cleanly and quietly it runs.

Brightline West will be fully electric and the cleanest high-speed train in the U.S.

Brightline also has plans for a high-speed rail out west, called Brightline West. This future Southern California service will utilise fully electrified trainsets and we intend to maximise the power generated by renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, which is expected to provide even greater reductions in transportation‑related greenhouse gas emissions. Running with zero emissions, it will be the cleanest high-speed train in America and will reach speeds exceeding 180mph. This high-speed train model is based on an existing European high-speed train design.

Going beyond

Brightline is taking eco-consciousness and zero emission operations to the next level through its mobility as a service, Brightline+.

Integrating clean micromobility for door-to-door service

As the most significant enhancement made to Brightline since its inception, the Brightline+ service enables passengers to leverage an upgraded Brightline mobile app to plan, book, and pay for their entire journey across a variety of eco-friendly transport modes, leading to a lower environmental impact. These vehicles include Brightline+’s fleet of Tesla cars, shared electric vans, and Circuit neighbourhood electric vehicles (fully electric shared shuttles). All Brightline+ vehicles will be operated by private chauffeurs vetted and trained by Brightline and its mobility partner, Via, the global leader in TransitTech. Customers who choose to use their own vehicle to arrive at the station can pre-book and pay for their parking through the app; they will use the QR code on their boarding pass to enter and exit the parking garage.