High-speed rail service from Las Vegas to Los Angeles is one of the projects Brightline West is working to complete. This has required obtaining government support for federal funds and signing a labor contract with a union representing railroad construction workers.
Starting in San Bernardino, California, the Brightline West service travels to Victor Valley before reaching its final destination near the Las Vegas Strip. Brightline expects the project to be completed in 2027.
The company told Travel + Leisure that the train would travel at a speed of 186 mph over a distance of 260 miles, cutting the current travel time between the two cities in half. When you factor in delays at security and check-in, traveling by train could even be a faster alternative than flying – flights take an average of an hour and 15 minutes.
According to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitor Authority, more than 38 million visitors came to Las Vegas in 2022, a 20% increase over the previous year. According to the Las Vegas Sun, the city has seen a decline in visitors from California before the pandemic, but the new train could make it easier for people in Southern California to travel there.
According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, officials in California and Nevada have shown support for the project and are requesting $4 billion in federal funding to make it a reality. U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen said, “This project is a major priority because it will make southern Nevada more accessible to millions of visitors each year.”
When completed, the Brightline West train will offer amenities such as free Wi-Fi, food, beverages, the ability to check luggage, and more.