Brightline – The deadliest train in the country
Bottom Line: It’s been one of the biggest arguments against Brightline since day one. It’s not safe. The safety concern hasn’t been for passengers but for pedestrians. As Brightline is rapidly working on their Orlando expansion project while looking to put the finishing touches on new stations in Aventura and Boca – we have a new study that will only aid critics of Brightline. There are 821 train operators in the United States. Brightline is the deadliest according to a study by the American Railroad Administration.
The ARA measures safety per mile operated. Brightline is averaging one death per 29,000 miles traveled. That compares to other South Florida operators – Tri Rail at one death per 110,000 miles traveled – nearly four times lower than Brightline and the Florida East Coast railroad averaging a death for every 160,000 miles traveled. That’s a rate that’s five and a half times lower than Brightline.
No reason was specifically cited in by the American Railroad Administration for the significantly higher death rate by Brightline. Also, Brightline hasn’t been at fault, as determined by authorities in any deaths thus far. The most likely reason comes down to the most common reason for deaths via trains. According to the ARA, 63% of deaths are the result of suicide. It may be that Brightline’s public profile make it a more likely company to be subjected to those committing suicide. One of the harshest realities of the deaths is the impact on engineers.
Under a federal program railroad engineers, not determined to be at fault, are granted three days off and grief counseling after a death. The high death rate for Brightline equals a greater emotional toll on engineers. This is something acknowledged by Brightline.
It’s full speed ahead for Brightline’s expansion plans across our state. As I’ve stated from the onset, given South Florida’s traffic woes and ever-growing population – I'm rooting for Brightline to be successful. The news that it’s already the deadliest train in the country brings new meaning to growing pains.