Brightline tests express trains from Palm Beach to Lauderdale

South Florida drivers are facing something new in traffic this week: Brightline high-speed passenger trains are running up to 20 times per day between Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach.

These are test runs for training crews, so no passengers will be aboard.

Brightline officials have said service between the new Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach train stations would begin before the end of the year and service to the MiamiCentral station would be added early in the new year.

No exact start date ticket pricing has been

This week’s simulations include the daily running of 10 northbound and 10 southbound trains between Broward Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale and 15th Street in West Palm Beach.

Some trains have been doing test runs between West Palm Beach and Deerfield Beach in recent months, but this week’s tests are the first forays into Fort Lauderdale.

Officials are reminding pedestrians and motorists to beware of the frequent trains crossing major roadways or revealed. during these runs.

A woman was killed last month when struck by a Brightline train.

Brightline has five colorthemed trains that each include two locomotives and four passenger coaches that can carry about 240 passengers.

The trains can reach top speeds of 125 mph but will travel only the 79 mph speed limit when full service begins between Miami and West Palm Beach, officials said.

Future plans include extending the route from West Palm Beach to Orlando beginning sometime in 2020.