Brightline Stations Reopen

BRIGHTLINE STATIONS REOPEN WITH ELEVATED EXPERIENCES:

Patrick Goddard, President at Brightline, On Transforming the American Railway with Eco-Friendly, Modern Luxury Amenities

By Nicole Schubert

This season, as Brightline stations reopen, experience a new way to travel and jockey to the railway for an elevated experience that calls for modern luxury from every angle. The only intercity rail in America to present contemporary, eco-friendly amenities, both on and off-board, locomotive goers can now indulge in the best of the best in ultra-glamorous offerings, from an integrative booking service to an enhanced gastronomic culinary program. This includes a signature sitdown bar called Mary Mary and MRKT, the first fully autonomous retail market in South Florida. To Patrick Goddard, the president at Brightline, the

brand’s relaunch marks a new journey in railway transportation unlike any other in the industry and the perfect alternative - outside of automobiles - for Palm Beach locals to travel to Fort Lauderdale and Miami in record time.

So, as Brightline trains resume with a new vision grounded in accessibility and fully loaded luxury, Metropolitan Palm Beach exclusively interviewed Goddard on how this modern locomotive plans to change how locals travel, what passengers can expect to experience while on-board, it’s gastronomic offerings, and it’s pathway to future, becoming the consummate vehicle for luxury traveling. METROPOLITAN PALM BEACH: Patrick, relaunching Brightline, tell me how this modern locomotive will change how South Florida locals travel?

PATRICK GODDARD: Our relaunch opens a new chapter for Brightline, which includes an enhanced guest experience, from the moment our travelers book their plans on the Brightline app to the moment they reach their final destination. Every stage of the Brightline journey has been built through the lens of today’s modern traveler and creates a travel journey unlike any other in the industry. MPB: What can passengers expect to experience while on the railway? PG: Both Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale will be welcomed to the station by the signature Brightline experience and hospitality that our travelers know and love, with some upgraded amenities and experiences, including Brightline+, our new door-todoor service supported by our app and powered by our electric vehicle fleet. All our stations will also

feature an elevated sit-down bar called Mary Mary, along with MRKT, the first fully autonomous market in South Florida, which makes picking up snacks and other convenience items like chargers or umbrellas simple. Once onboard, guests can experience a new premium service, previously known as Select. This first-class experience offers added amenities, including cold refreshments, individual sanitation wipes, an onboard snack basket, complimentary alcoholic beverages at the Premium lounge and complimentary alcoholic beverages on board. MPB: Tell me more about Mary Mary, Brightline’s newest culinary offering. PG: Upon relaunching, we proudly introduced a new signature bar, Mary Mary, which is located once our guests pass security at each station. Mary Mary was inspired and named for two wives of Henry Flagler, founder of Florida East Coast Railway, Mary Lily Kenan, and Mary Harkness Flagler. Mary Mary is located in all three stations, serving all-day breakfast,

lunch, and dinner, in addition to craft cocktails, which were created by our local hospitality partner Breakthru Beverage Group, juices, Lavazza coffee, a selection of local and imported beer and wine by the glass and bottle provided by Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits.

MPB: The first intercity rail in America to present a luxury amenity like this, what inspired Mary Mary’s vision? PG: We really wanted to have something unique to the railroad history in South Florida as part of our station and as a tribute to Henry Flagler. His contributions to the development of Florida’s Atlantic coast is really what has made Brightline possible today and is a great example of the importance of well thought-out infrastructure in our country moving forward. MPB: You continue to push the envelope on railway transportation. What continues to drive you to elevate the industry? PG: As the only provider of modern, eco-friendly,

intercity rail in America, it’s important that Brightline provides an experience for the modern traveler. Our goal is to reshape the face of train travel in America and through these enhancements and upgrades, we are on the right path to do so. MPB: Do you envision Brightline as becoming South Florida's premier vehicle for intercity travel? PG: Going into 2022 we see a big need for Brightline’s service, especially with companies and jobs continuing to look to South Florida. With our return to service, we will take more cars off the road and get travelers to their destinations quickly and easily. Brightline projects over nine million annual passengers once all Florida stations are completed. As we continue to expand towards Orlando, we believe our commuters will see even more benefit in using Brightline giving our them time to spend with their family and friends, work while on the train and relax comfortably in one of our coaches while avoiding congested highways.