SEBASTIAN — Brightline told passengers Friday that its Miami-to-Orlando trains will keep running on their regular schedules after affiliated companies sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to restructure debt.
Sebastian Daily received a statement Brightline sent to ticket holders after reports circulated about the filing.
“It is business as usual for Brightline,” the company said. “We are operating our full schedule of trains, and our teammates are ready to welcome you onboard.”
Brightline said entities associated with the railroad used Chapter 11 “to restructure the company’s debt,” but that the trains, the staff and the service “are not impacted and will continue to run as usual.”
Court records show Brightline Holdings LLC and certain related parent companies filed a Chapter 11 petition Thursday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New Jersey. The petition listed assets and liabilities each between $1 billion and $10 billion.
The operating company, Brightline Trains Florida LLC, did not file. That is the entity that runs the passenger trains.
Brightline told guests their tickets and reservations are unchanged.
Treasure Coast riders who use the service typically drive to the West Palm Beach station, the closest stop to Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin counties. Brightline does not stop in Sebastian, Vero Beach or Fort Pierce.
In the message to passengers, the company listed four points:
- Trains are running on time and on their normal schedules.
- Tickets and reservations are unchanged.
- Stations remain open and staffed.
- Customer service is available for questions.
The company said it built “a world-class passenger experience with growing ridership,” but that it needs to “right-size our balance sheet to strengthen the business for the long term.”
A separate company release Friday said existing financial stakeholders have committed $490 million in new long-term capital to Brightline Trains Florida LLC under a restructuring support agreement. Brightline Florida CEO Patrick Goddard said the deal “comes at a time of real momentum” and that the restructuring is not expected to affect operations.
Brightline began South Florida service in 2018 and extended trains to Orlando International Airport in 2023. Ridership has grown, but the railroad has carried a heavy debt load from building the Miami-to-Orlando line.
The company closed its note to guests by saying it is grateful for their loyalty and looks forward to seeing them onboard.
