Passenger Trains > Brightline West not expected to meet July 2028 olympic deadline

Excerpted from KTNV Las Vegas TV:

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Over the last couple of years, transportation officials have set the goal of opening the new Brightline West high-speed rail line to Southern California in time for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. However, it doesn't look like the project will be able to meet that goal.

Last week, Brightline West officials posted over 1,200 pages of documents related to a new bond offering on MuniOS. According to those documents, the line won't be ready for passengers until December 2028. The company is looking to raise about $2.5 billion in additional funding and the offering states that money would be broken down into private activity bonds with $1,875,000,000 coming from California and $625,000,000 coming from Nevada. The project is expected to cost about $12.4 billion overall and Brightline West has already received billions in federal funding.

According to those documents, Brightline West will operate as a catenary system, have substations, and is intended to use renewable power.

The entire article is free at the link: https://www.ktnv.com/news/brightline-west-high-speed-rail-line-to-socal-not-expected-to-be-ready-by-2028-olympics

Trains Newswire also has a story on this: https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/brightline-west-now-expecting-to-launch-in-december-2028/



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/27/25 12:39 by Cumbresfan.

As long as they do it right it'll be better than CA HSR!

Posted from Android

Further down in the article, it says that for ticket prices, Brightline hasn't finalized their ticket pricing strategy yet. But "based on their 2024 Revenue and Ridership Supplement, they project the average fare for a one-way standard ticket will be $119 and a one-way premium ticket will be $133."  That's very much cheaper than the $400 cost they projected for a round trip ticket in March 2024.

Cumbresfan Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Further down in the article, it says that for
> ticket prices, Brightline hasn't finalized their
> ticket pricing strategy yet. But "based on their
> 2024 Revenue and Ridership Supplement, they
> project the average fare for a one-way standard
> ticket will be $119 and a one-way premium ticket
> will be $133."  That's very much cheaper than the
> $400 cost they projected for a round trip ticket
> in March 2024.

You can fly between LA and Vegas for much cheaper than $400. And in certain instances, I found one way flights for $89, cheaper than Brightlines $119 one way fare. They're gonna have to find a way to compete with an $89, 45 minute, one way flight.

Factor in the terminal waiting times and it's a lot more than 45 mins to fly.

Might not matter now since Trump cut all funding for active infrastructure rail projects going on. But hey, those egg prices should be coming down now, right? 🙄

westcoastrails Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Cumbresfan Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Further down in the article, it says that for
> > ticket prices, Brightline hasn't finalized
> their
> > ticket pricing strategy yet. But "based on
> their
> > 2024 Revenue and Ridership Supplement, they
> > project the average fare for a one-way standard
> > ticket will be $119 and a one-way premium
> ticket
> > will be $133."  That's very much cheaper than
> the
> > $400 cost they projected for a round trip
> ticket
> > in March 2024.
>
> You can fly between LA and Vegas for much cheaper
> than $400. And in certain instances, I found one
> way flights for $89, cheaper than Brightlines $119
> one way fare. They're gonna have to find a way to
> compete with an $89, 45 minute, one way flight.

Brightline does a great job with pricing in Florida using yield management science

Their advertised pricing is just the retail rate. Depending on the load on the day you travel pricing is not retail in many cases.

Don’t get caught up on this advertised price. You build it people will ride

Posted from iPhone

westcoastrails Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Might not matter now since Trump cut all funding
> for active infrastructure rail projects going on.
> But hey, those egg prices should be coming down
> now, right? 🙄

That thread ("Trump stops rail funding" posted by co614) has been removed from the forum. In my opinion it was like Chicken Little running and shouting "the sky is falling." The facts are somewhat different and, unless someone has more up to date info, the action was taken to remove funds for the Green New Deal (aka Green New Scam).

The executive order was signed on the day of Trumps inauguration and applies specifically to funds for climate projects though other funds are mentioned too (Sec. 7.  Terminating the Green New Deal.  (a)  All agencies shall immediately pause the disbursement of funds appropriated through the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-169) or the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58), including but not limited to funds for electric vehicle charging stations made available through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program and the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program, and shall review their processes, policies, and programs for issuing grants, loans, contracts, or any other financial disbursements of such appropriated funds for consistency with the law and the policy outlined in section 2 of this order. [Sec. 2.  Policy.  It is the policy of the United States:...(e)  to eliminate the “electric vehicle (EV) mandate” and promote true consumer choice, which is essential for economic growth and innovation, by removing regulatory barriers to motor vehicle access; by ensuring a level regulatory playing field for consumer choice in vehicles; by terminating, where appropriate, state emissions waivers that function to limit sales of gasoline-powered automobiles; and by considering the elimination of unfair subsidies and other ill-conceived government-imposed market distortions that favor EVs over other technologies and effectively mandate their purchase by individuals, private businesses, and government entities alike by rendering other types of vehicles unaffordable;  (f)  to safeguard the American people’s freedom to choose from a variety of goods and appliances, including but not limited to lightbulbs, dishwashers, washing machines, gas stoves, water heaters, toilets, and shower heads, and to promote market competition and innovation within the manufacturing and appliance industries;]).
).  

Here are two articles that discuss the limits of the executive order action:
https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/5100846-white-house-budget-office-guidance-ira-funds/
https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/trump-infrastructure-funding-pause-impact-cities-states/738206/

So no tier 4 locos for Trona?....

December 2028? That is less than 4 years away and they haven't started building anything yet and don't have money to do it.  Money is expensive to borrow right now and seeing they don't have it yet I don't see this ever getting built.

 

Todd Clark
Canyon Country, CA
Trainorders.com

webmaster Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> December 2028? That is less than 4 years away and
> they haven't started building anything yet and
> don't have money to do it.  Money is expensive to
> borrow right now and seeing they don't have it yet
> I don't see this ever getting built.
>

The "pause" certainly puts a crimp in their plans as their reliance on using awarded government funds as a basis to solicit private funds to begin major construction may not materialize. Work so far has been geotechnical surveys and drilling for preparing detailed engineering design specifications.

Cumbresfan Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> That thread ("Trump stops rail funding" posted by
> co614) has been removed from the forum. In my
> opinion it was like Chicken Little running and
> shouting "the sky is falling." The facts are
> somewhat different and, unless someone has more up
> to date info, the action was taken to remove funds
> for the Green New Deal (aka Green New Scam).

Thank you for the rational explanation and quote of a very reasonable Executive Order.
 

Topfuel Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Cumbresfan Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > That thread ("Trump stops rail funding" posted
> by
> > co614) has been removed from the forum. In my
> > opinion it was like Chicken Little running and
> > shouting "the sky is falling." The facts are
> > somewhat different and, unless someone has more
> up
> > to date info, the action was taken to remove
> funds
> > for the Green New Deal (aka Green New Scam).
>
> Thank you for the rational explanation and quote
> of a very reasonable Executive Order.
>  

Another executive order was issued by the new president stopping all funding of projects from the bipartisan infrastructure bill. That's probably what co614 was referring to.

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/01/21/trump-fight-biden-infrastructure-money-00199796

webmaster Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> December 2028? That is less than 4 years away and
> they haven't started building anything yet and
> don't have money to do it.  Money is expensive to
> borrow right now and seeing they don't have it yet
> I don't see this ever getting built.
>
Talking to a couple of bond fund manager friends who are still on the trading floor,  they said this is a 'story' bond.   A polite way of saying high interest rates needed to find buyers.  Having spent 45+ years in the muni bond business,  without state guarantees of bond debt service, I'd guess these isues are going to be a tough sel at any price.  Stay tuned.

westcoastrails Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Cumbresfan Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Further down in the article, it says that for
> > ticket prices, Brightline hasn't finalized
> their
> > ticket pricing strategy yet. But "based on
> their
> > 2024 Revenue and Ridership Supplement, they
> > project the average fare for a one-way standard
> > ticket will be $119 and a one-way premium
> ticket
> > will be $133."  That's very much cheaper than
> the
> > $400 cost they projected for a round trip
> ticket
> > in March 2024.
>
> You can fly between LA and Vegas for much cheaper
> than $400. And in certain instances, I found one
> way flights for $89, cheaper than Brightlines $119
> one way fare. They're gonna have to find a way to
> compete with an $89, 45 minute, one way flight.

Not really. I’ve yet to have flown anywhere in 45 minutes. 3+ hours given time to get to or from the airport plus checking in. And you have to include the cost of parking at the airport or taking an Uber.

Brightline will be competitive and offer a better experience than economy class on Spirit.

Posted from iPhone

Cumbresfan Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> westcoastrails Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Might not matter now since Trump cut all
> funding
> > for active infrastructure rail projects going
> on.
> > But hey, those egg prices should be coming down
> > now, right? 🙄
>
> That thread ("Trump stops rail funding" posted by
> co614) has been removed from the forum. In my
> opinion it was like Chicken Little running and
> shouting "the sky is falling." The facts are
> somewhat different and, unless someone has more up
> to date info, the action was taken to remove funds
> for the Green New Deal (aka Green New Scam).
>
> The executive order was signed on the day of
> Trumps inauguration and applies specifically to
> funds for climate projects though other funds are
> mentioned too (Sec. 7.  Terminating the Green New
> Deal.  (a)  All agencies shall immediately pause
> the disbursement of funds appropriated through the
> Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (Public Law
> 117-169) or the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs
> Act (Public Law 117-58), including but not limited
> to funds for electric vehicle charging stations
> made available through the National Electric
> Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program and the
> Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary
> Grant Program, and shall review their processes,
> policies, and programs for issuing grants, loans,
> contracts, or any other financial disbursements of
> such appropriated funds for consistency with the
> law and the policy outlined in section 2 of this
> order.  It is the policy of the United
> States:...(e)  to eliminate the “electric
> vehicle (EV) mandate” and promote true consumer
> choice, which is essential for economic growth and
> innovation, by removing regulatory barriers to
> motor vehicle access; by ensuring a level
> regulatory playing field for consumer choice in
> vehicles; by terminating, where appropriate, state
> emissions waivers that function to limit sales of
> gasoline-powered automobiles; and by considering
> the elimination of unfair subsidies and other
> ill-conceived government-imposed market
> distortions that favor EVs over other technologies
> and effectively mandate their purchase by
> individuals, private businesses, and government
> entities alike by rendering other types of
> vehicles unaffordable;  (f)  to safeguard the
> American people’s freedom to choose from a
> variety of goods and appliances, including but not
> limited to lightbulbs, dishwashers, washing
> machines, gas stoves, water heaters, toilets, and
> shower heads, and to promote market competition
> and innovation within the manufacturing and
> appliance industries;]).
> ).  
>
> Here are two articles that discuss the limits of
> the executive order action:
> https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/5100
> 846-white-house-budget-office-guidance-ira-funds/
> https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/trump-infrast
> ructure-funding-pause-impact-cities-states/738206/

The “Green New Deal” is something that only exists on paper and not anywhere in actual legislation. You’re lying.

Does LA already have the facilities that are needed for the 2028 Olympics, or is any new construction needed?

The whole issue about construction in southern California, I'm afraid, will be problematic as far as labor and materials goes for the next few years.

Lodging, I think, will be a particular concern.

AmtrakMidwest Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Cumbresfan Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > westcoastrails Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Might not matter now since Trump cut all
> > funding
> > > for active infrastructure rail projects going
> > on.
> > > But hey, those egg prices should be coming
> down
> > > now, right? 🙄
> >
> > That thread ("Trump stops rail funding" posted
> by
> > co614) has been removed from the forum. In my
> > opinion it was like Chicken Little running and
> > shouting "the sky is falling." The facts are
> > somewhat different and, unless someone has more
> up
> > to date info, the action was taken to remove
> funds
> > for the Green New Deal (aka Green New Scam).
> >
> ....>
>
> The “Green New Deal” is something that only
> exists on paper and not anywhere in actual
> legislation. You’re lying.

Maybe where you live, but very real here in New Mexico. Examples -- 40+% of new vehicles sold beginning in 2026 must be EV's, rising to 80% in coming years. New homes and commercial buildings have to be wired for EV charging increasing costs by many tens of thousand dollars. We are a rural state with no infrastructure for EV vehicle charging stations in 60 to 100 miles between some communities where roadside powerlines are absent. Finally, windmills everywhere while reliable power plants in NW NM required to shut down. Power in coming years will be more expensive and less certain. Definitely not just on paper for us that live here.

ts1457 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Does LA already have the facilities that are
> needed for the 2028 Olympics, or is any new
> construction needed?
>
> The whole issue about construction in southern
> California, I'm afraid, will be problematic as far
> as labor and materials goes for the next few
> years.
>
> Lodging, I think, will be a particular concern.

Considering that this will be the THIRD Olympics that LA has hosted, yes they have the facilities. Many of the facilities built for the 1984 games are still available plus there are a couple of brand new stadiums that weren't here in 1984.  And the Los Angeles Basin has a lot of lodging available.

PHall Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Considering that this will be the THIRD Olympics
> that LA has hosted, yes they have the facilities.
> Many of the facilities built for the 1984 games
> are still available plus there are a couple of
> brand new stadiums that weren't here in 1984. 
> And the Los Angeles Basin has a lot of lodging
> available.

OK, no problem!