Brightline Partners for Train Safety Week

(Press Release) MIAMI (Sept. 12, 2025) – Brightline is partnering with local communities and law enforcement across Central and South Florida for National See Tracks? Think Train® Week (formerly Rail Safety Week). Taking place Sept. 15 through 21, the week is spearheaded by Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI), which is committed to preventing collisions, injuries and fatalities on and around railroad tracks and highway-rail grade crossings. 

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Brightline’s rail safety priorities are focused on education, enforcement and engineering. Throughout the week, Brightline is partnering with Hollywood Police Department, Riveria Beach Police Department, Melbourne Police Department, City of Miami Police Department, Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Department among other law enforcement agencies up and down the corridor with PSAs, safety demonstrations, flier distributions and enforcement sweeps. Brightline is also sharing social media posts and the rail safety pledge with local communities.

“Safety is our top priority, paramount to everything we do at Brightline, which is why we continually invest in our communities alongside local partners to educate, support enforcement and identify engineering solutions,” said Michael Lefevre, vice president of operations, Brightline. “We all need to do our part – motorists, pedestrians and community members – to act safely and follow the laws around the tracks.” 

Since its inception, Brightline has satisfied or exceeded every safety requirement set forth by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) which oversees the Florida rail system. Brightline has invested nearly $230 million in crossing upgrades, plus $266 million for Positive Train Control. The intercity rail system has also continued supporting municipalities to apply, receive and implement over $65 million in state and federal grants including a CRISI Grant to improve 48 crossings in the Tri-County area completed in 2023, and a RAISE Grant to enhance corridor safety resulting in a $45 million investment.  

Additionally, in partnership with the lead applicant Broward MPO, Brightline partnered with Broward County, local municipalities (Dania Beach, Wilton Manors, Ft. Lauderdale, Hallandale Beach, Hollywood, and Pompano Beach), and Florida East Coast Railway (FECR) in the 2022 Rail Crossing Elimination Program.  The project improves 21 crossings by constructing exit gates and/or medians at each location.  The FRA has agreed to invest $15.44 million in the project, with an additional $3.86 million in funding from local municipalities, for a total of $19.3 million.   

For over nine years, including prior to operation in South Florida, Brightline has implemented an aggressive safety program that includes tri-lingual materials distributed in schools, at railroad crossings, local businesses and community events. To date over 50,000 individuals have signed the Rail Safety Pledge promising to be safe around railroad tracks and trains. 

Making the right decisions near railroad tracks can truly be the difference between life and death, today – and every day. Keep yourself, family and friends safe by following Operation Lifesaver's top five rail safety tips:

1) Look and listen for a train as you approach all railroad crossings – obey all signs, warning lights and gates. 
2) Trains might be quieter and faster than you think – never try to beat a train.
3) Because of their size and weight, it can take a mile or more to stop a train.
4) Always expect a train on any track; avoid distractions when you approach a crossing.
5) Railroad property is private property. Walking on the tracks is illegal and dangerous.

Brightline also encourages the media to share the 988 Suicide Prevention & Crisis Lifeline as a free, confidential resource available 24/7/365 via phone, text and online chat to provide mental health support. 

“We thank the thousands of people who make safe decisions around railroad tracks every day and we will continue to take a proactive approach to advancing public safety,” added Lefevre. "We look forward to working with more organizations and municipalities interested in amplifying the message to stay safe around railroad tracks.

To learn more about Brightline safety efforts and initiatives visit www.gobrightline.com/safety. More information on See Tracks? Think Train® Week on can be found here. Social media materials and the rail safety pledge can be found here.