A local congressman is calling for Brightline to suspend its service immediately, following two deaths on the tracks in 5 days time.
U.S. Representative Brian Mast has written to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, requesting an oversight hearing on high speed rail safety in Florida. Police say both the woman killed last Friday and the man killed this week in Boynton Beach were trying to beat the train, attempting to cross the FEC tracks once the gates were down.
Republican Mast wants Brightline to stop running until the Department of Transportation has the time to do a thorough safety review. Democrat Senator Bill Nelson has asked the Federal DOT to investigate the deaths as well.
Two others also lost their lives after being struck by Brightline trains while the rail service was conducting test runs.
Mast has opposed the project from the start, concerned it would disrupt travel and safety on the Treasure Coast, a large portion of the district which he represents.
Meanwhile, Brightline is holding a press conference in Boca Raton Friday morning to bring awareness to rail safety.