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City leaders discuss adding Virgin Trains stop, formerly Brightline, to Boca Raton

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BOCA RATON, Fla. — Officials in Boca Raton have been meeting with Virgin Trains, formally known as Brightline, this week to discuss adding a stop in the city.

WPTV confirms the company has expressed interest in adding another stop along its route from West Palm Beach to Fort Lauderdale.

Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer said he spoke with Virgin Trains representatives to express the city’s interest in exploring a possible station off N. Dixie Hwy. and Palmetto Park Rd., right next to the Boca Raton Public Library.

🔽 MAP OF PROPOSED TRAIN STATION 🔽

City councilman Andy Thomson said he met with Virgin officials on Thursday to talk about a station in Boca.

"Where it would go, on whoes land it would go, what the parking facilities would be for the station," said Thomson.

The city is currently looking at creating a Government Campus where they would reconstruct a new city hall, police department, community center, and library. Included in those plans is a transit facility where a Virgin Trains station could be built.

Thomas said he feels that is a good spot for a Brightline station.

"Going back for years, part of the hope of the city was to have a Virigin Trains or Brightline station here," he said.

🔽 GOVERNMENT CAMPUS PLAN 🔽

Gina Diventrua said she would love a Brightline station in Boca.

"We need to have more public transpiration downtown," she said.

Diventura owns a pizza shop close to the potential train station and said she would love it for her businesses and for her.

"I could jump on the train and be able to go to Miami and have dinner," she said.

WPTV confirms city council members have also met individually with Virgin Trains officials about the plan.

RELATED: Virgin Trains expands service during morning, evening rush hour

Last year, the company considered a property in Fort Pierce to add a train station, which would be part of Virgin Trains' expansion from West Palm Beach to Orlando.