MIAMI, Fla., -  Brightline is pleased to announce it was awarded the Operation Lifesaver (OLI) Rail Transit Safety Education Grant for $20,000 to continue its efforts to educate the public about rail safety. The grant will be used to extend Brightline’s award-winning Buzz Boxx initiative. Buzz Boxx is an out-of-the-box campaign created by Brightline to engage with residents in communities along its train corridor to promote rail safety and mental health awareness through a mobile barbershop experience. To date, Brightline and Buzz Boxx have done over 60 activations throughout Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties, including partnering with 211 and the Broward County Sheriff’s organizations.

 

Brightline’s Buzz Boxx is already active and has held community events at various locations along the rail corridor, including The Lords Place, Camillus House, and Angels for Humanity. The new grant will support 10 additional events (four in Miami-Dade, four in Broward, and two in West Palm Beach) from November 2021 to February 2022 with one-to-three barbers per activation.

 

Barbers will be provided with mentorship and safety training as well as resources (like suicide prevention) to improve the overall wellbeing of the youth and homeless population. Additional materials will be available to participants to take with them as a resource for themselves or to help others in need of mental health support.

 

"It is quite evident to me that when you look better, you feel better and when you feel better, you tend to do better,” said Amir Youssef, chief creative officer at Buzz Boxx USA. “That is what we hope to accomplish through this campaign with Brightline.”

 

In coordination with several organizations and law enforcement throughout the Tri-County area, dozens of residents can enjoy the mobile barbershop experience with a free haircut. Prior to their haircuts, all will sign the Operation Lifesaver Rail Safety Pledge promising to stay safe around railroad tracks. During their “buzz’s,” residents will engage in meaningful barbershop talk with their barber.

 

“Brightline believes in finding unique ways to connect with the community to promote awareness and education on rail safety and mental health,” said Ali Soule, VP of Community Relations at Brightline. “The Buzz Boxx has been a key partner as we reach out to underserved communities and work together to help those in need. This grant will help us expand our services and outreach.”

 

Brightline Launched Buzz Box in 2018 to connect with people that may not respond to traditional safety messaging methods, such as public service announcements or vehicle message signs at highway-rail grade crossings. In 2019, Brightline Trains was awarded the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Certificate of Merit for Safety.

For more information on the Buzz Boxx, partnership inquiries for events and activations, or interest in bringing Buzz Boxx to your facility, please email buzzboxx@gobrightline.com.

 

About Brightline

 

Brightline is the only provider of modern, eco-friendly, high-speed rail service in America. The company currently operates between Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach in Florida and is scheduled to complete construction to the Orlando International Airport by the end of 2022. Brightline was recognized by Fast Company as one of the Most Innovative Companies in travel, offering a guest-first experience designed to reinvent train travel and take cars off the road. Brightline plans to bring its award-winning service to additional city pairs and congested corridors across the country that are too close to fly and too long to drive, with immediate plans to connect Las Vegas to Southern California. For more information, visit www.gobrightline.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

 

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