A new high-speed train

is supposed to start running in a couple of months, but the Brightline service — which eventually will connect South Florida and Orlando — still has a long way to go with its initial phase.

Florida’s new high-speed train is supposed to hit the tracks in only two months, but it still has a long ways to go.

If Brightline is going to start up by the end of the year — as it continues to insist — it must:

Complete its Miami station, its biggest. Upgrade several rail crossings. Hire employees. Finish testing trains. Announce schedules and fares.

Even now, Brightline has declined to say exactly when the service will begin or how much tickets will cost.

“Pricing, schedules and our mobile app and new website will be released closer to launch,” said Brightline CEO David Howard. “We look forward to launching introductory service by the end of the year.”

The service between Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach was initially expected to launch in September but was delayed by financing issues, construction, litigation and Hurricane Irma.

Stations in Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach have been issued certificates of occupancy. Upgrades at several railroad crossings in Broward and Miami-Dade are being completed, Howard said.

The service is supposed to expand to Orlando, although that is not expected until 2020. That link faces continued opposition from Citizens Against Railroad Expansion, which cites the safety and financial costs to Martin and Indian River counties.

The company is hiring for jobs that include train engineers, conductors, mechanics, train station managers, security personnel, and maintenance staff.

And all five Brightline trains are being tested daily in West Palm Beach to train the onboard crews. One of the cars derailed at 4 mph in the rail yard in February, but no injuries were reported, according to the Federal Railroad Administration.

Brightline on Friday secured state support to sell bonds to continue funding the $3 billion private enterprise. Officials have said no public funds were being used.

In South Florida, cities and businesses say they are awaiting word on Brightline’s progress and how it will affect them.

Though the details about the opening and the cost of the service are still unknown, Dennis Grady, CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches, is optimistic it will stimulate Florida’s economies. He attended a state finance committee meeting with Brightline officials in Orlando on Friday to support Brightline.

“It’s like Christmas Eve, everybody wants to know what’s in that package and we can’t wait,” he said. “It’ll happen when it happens.”