Upcoming High-Speed Electric Bullet Train Could Go From LA To Vegas In Two Hours
By Alexa Heah, 28 Apr 2023
Soon, those traveling from Los Angeles to Las Vegas could see the four-hour-long commute cut in half, as train operator Brightline has recently announced plans to build a high-speed railway between the two cities, scheduled to open its doors in 2027.
The forthcoming ride, which will take place on an electric bullet train, will only take two-and-a-quarter hours. This could be even quicker than a flight, as it takes the same time but requires additional wait time at check-in, boarding, and baggage claim.
Brightline CEO Mike Reininger told Robb Report the new service would “serve as the blueprint” for how other major regions in the United States can be connected if they’re too near to fly to and too far to drive.
According to the company, the 260-mile route will set off from San Bernardino, California, while making stops in Victor Valley before finally reaching Sin City. As the plans involve using a bullet train, it’s expected that the ride will travel as fast as up to 186 mph.
Plus, as the train will be fully electric, it won’t be releasing any harmful carbon emissions during the trip, with the firm claiming the service could reduce three million cars on the road annually, or the equivalent of 400,000 tons of carbon dioxide.
When the ride is fully up and running, it’s expected that the train will execute 12 million one-way trips per year. At the moment, an estimated 50 million such single-destination trips are made annually between the two cities, 85% of which take place via car or bus.
Travelers on the train will get Wi-Fi, food, beverages, luggage storage, and even hotel check-in services. While the company waits for funding on this project, it’s also working on connecting Orlando to Miami and another service between Raleigh, North Carolina, and Richmond, Virginia.
[via Robb Report and Time Out, images via Brightline]