Brightline lays off 250 after it suspends South Florida service due to coronavirus
Virgin Trains USA, the parent company of the Brightline express train, confirmed it laid off 250 out of more than 300 South Florida workers this week after announcing Wednesday it was suspending its South Florida service amid coronavirus concerns.
The company said it hopes to rehire most of the workers once service resumes, but said it was too soon to say when that would be. The layoffs were not limited to local station and track workers: Among those laid off was Bob O’Malley, vice president of corporate development.
“I’m sad to share that I’ve been laid off from Virgin Trains USA, but still proud of our good work in FL, CA & NV,” O’Malley tweeted. “I’ll continue to advocate for transportation, which will be even more important in the post-pandemic recovery. And obviously I’m looking for a new job, so please [retweet].”
I’m sad to share that I’ve been laid off from Virgin Trains USA, but still proud of our good work in FL, CA & NV.
I’ll continue to advocate for transportation, which will be even more important in the post-pandemic recovery. And obviously I’m looking for a new job, so please RT.— Bob O’Malley (@bomalley) March 25, 2020
Meanwhile, more than 700 construction workers on the company’s Orlando route remain employed. In addition to the Orlando project, Virgin Trains is also building an express line from Las Vegas to Southern California.
