Downtown developers: Brightline fares could hamper ridership numbers

By: Jeff Ostrowski, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Bob Vail, president of developer Kolter Urban, counts himself as a regular user of the Brightline train. But he wonders if South Floridians without an expense account can afford to join him.

“It’s $20 round-trip,” Vail said. “That’s going to add up if you’re doing it every day.”

Vail’s office is within walking distance of the Brightline station in West Palm Beach, and Kolter is developing a project in downtown Fort Lauderdale. The train is a convenient way to travel between the two points.

Vail and other South Florida developers spoke Thursday in Palm Beach at an event hosted by commercial real estate site Bisnow. Miami developer Todd Michael Glaser said higher-income commuters can justify Brightline’s fares because they can work while they ride…