“In recent filings that seek to raise $2.5 billion in a bond offering, Brightline West revealed that ticket prices for the trip would range from about $119 to $133 one way,” SFGATE reports. That’s a preliminary estimate, and it’s projected a round-trip ticket could eventually cost more than $400. “In comparison, Brightline’s prices for its original line from Miami to Orlando start as low as $29 for a ticket, though that can increase depending on the time, date and class of the ticket.”
The projected $12 billion venture aims to connect Las Vegas and Southern California by 2031 with fully electric, zero-emission, 200-mile-per-hour rail service along the I-15 corridor. It promises to complete a one-way trip in about two hours, intermediate stops included. A 270-mile car trip on the interstate now takes four to five hours with no traffic but can exceed six hours with congestion. Brightline would face major competition from airlines.