A Brightline train leaves the Miami Central station to Orlando for the first time, fulfilling the private company’s goal six years after it began operation, Sept. 22, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier).

For the first seven months of the year, Brightline had more than 900,000 long-distance passengers — those traveling to and from Orlando.

Brightline prepares to expand its rail service with extra train cars and a new loyalty program after a successful year of Orlando-South Florida connections.

Now that Brightline has activated its 170-mile extension between South Florida and Orlando, the higher-speed rail line is turning its attention to laying foundations for a commuter line in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, a new stop along the Treasure Coast, and expansion to Tampa.

Brightline is celebrating its one-year anniversary of service to Orlando. Yahoo Sports