Online trouble for new train

Brightline temporarily suspended sales as glitch hit reservation system

The trains haven’t even left the station, but South Florida’s new higher-speed train hit a bump Thursday.

Within hours of opening, Brightline’s online reservation system fouled up, showing that tickets were sold out for weeks. The train service had to stop selling tickets until the problem is fixed.

Brightline attributed the “glitch” to overwhelming demand.

“We have temporarily suspended booking rides where train times are displaying as ‘sold out’ while we work through the kinks,” according to a statement on the website.

The train is scheduled to begin express service Saturday between Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, with service planned soon to Miami and later to Or-

lando.

For months, people waited to find out when the trains would begin running and how much tickets would cost. Brightline finally announced the startup day Thursday morning — two days ahead of the launch — and began to sell tickets at an introductory price.

By early afternoon, the website showed — erroneously — that tickets were sold out through March. Brightline officials did not say how many tickets were actually booked before sales were suspended.

“We are working to resume booking through the website and mobile apps as soon as possible,” they said.

Brightline has not said how long the introductory price will last or what the regular fare will be. For now, $10 will buy a one-way ticket in the 66-seat regular coach, called Smart Coach. Tickets cost $15 one-way for the more-spacious Select Coach, Brightline’s version of first class, with 50 seats.

Children up to age 12 will get a 50 percent discount. Seniors, active military and veterans will receive a 10 percent discount.

The Fort Lauderdale station is at 101 NW Second Ave. just north of Broward Boulevard. The West Palm Beach station is at 240 S. Quadrille Blvd., a few blocks south of Clematis Street, but you can access it from 524 Datura Street.

Brightline is expected to add Miami in the coming months when construction on the MiamiCentral station is finished at 600 Miami Central Ave., about four blocks west of Biscayne Boulevard and Bayside Marketplace.

Construction on the connection between the West Palm Beach station and Orlando International Airport will begin later this year and could end sometime in 2021.