Brightline trains subject of congressional hearing Brian Mast requested

By: George Andreassi, Treasure Coast Newspapers

WASHINGTON — A congressional hearing on the Brightline passenger train's business practices will be conducted next week, U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, R-Palm City, said Friday.

The House Oversight Subcommittee on Government Operations scheduled the hearing for 10 a.m. Thursday at 2154 Rayburn House Office Building. Mast in February requested the hearing.

“Despite their claims to the contrary, Brightline has pursued public, taxpayer-funded financing,” Mast said in a news release Friday.

Brightline provides passenger train service between Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach on Florida East Coast Railway's tracks. Brightline is poised to begin service to Miami in May and eventually plans to expand the service to Orlando…