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Posted June 30, 2008
- New, Online Trip Planning Tool for Passengers -
As of June 19, bus passengers who prefer online trip planning assistance for travel on Broward
County Transit (BCT) can log on to Google Transit™ at www.google.com/transit.
Google Transit is a feature of Google Maps™ that provides public transportation trip planning
as an alternative to driving directions. Passengers start by entering their starting and
ending destination and their expected departure or arrival time. Google Transit will provide
them with up to three suggested trip plans, featuring trip maps, any transfer instructions,
and estimated arrival times.
Icons show bus stop locations and arrows show the walking direction and distance to and from
the bus stop. A cost comparison of the BCT trip versus taking an automobile provides
information to those who are uncertain of the cost savings by using public transportation.
Users of Google Maps can also click on the “Street View” button in Google Maps to see panoramic,
street-level views where one can explore or zoom in on the final destination to become more
familiar with the area they are traveling to and preview bus stops.
“Google Transit will allow us to reach out to new customers and provide them with an
alternative to driving, especially with the cost comparison features,” said Chris Walton,
Director, Broward County Transportation Department. “We hope that this service will benefit
a wide range of users and encourage more people to use public transportation. It can be
helpful for anyone, from the first-time to the frequent bus rider.”
Passengers can access the trip planner directly at www.google.com/transit, via directions
searches in Google Maps, or by logging on to BCT’s web site at www.broward.org/bct and click
on Google Transit.
For more information, call the Broward County Transit marketing section at 954-357-8355.
For more information about Google Transit services, contact press@google.com.
Google Transit and Google Maps are trademarks of Google Inc.
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Posted June 26, 2008
The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority received the Federal Transit Administration Region IV’s first-ever 2008 MegaSTAR Award, during the FTA Region IV’s conference, “The Route to Success… Today and Beyond.” The Southeast Transit Achievements and Recognition awards are given annually, recognizing FTA Region IV grantees’ significant contributions and excellence in public transportation.
The MegaSTAR Award is designated for the Transit Model of Excellence, illustrating “creativity and transferability of initiatives and on the magnitude of the ridership gain,” showcasing an agency’s use of innovative methods in the areas of ridership, partnership, environmental stewardship and customer service.
“The number of people turning to public transportation as a mobility option is a reward in itself,” said SFRTA Executive Director Joseph Giulietti. “Having this agency and Tri-Rail being recognized by the FTA and presented with this wonderful award, is the icing on the cake.”
Ridership on Tri-Rail has steadily increased by double-digit percentages since the beginning of 2008, continuing a trend that began in 2006, when Tri-Rail led the nation in growth in the commuter rail sector by percentage.
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Posted June 26, 2008
The American Council of Engineering Companies announced that the New River Bridge design/build project handled by the URS Washington Division (formerly known as Washington Group International), on behalf of the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority/Tri-Rail, has been awarded the ACEC 2008 Engineering Excellence Award.
Measuring engineering excellence on a national level, the award showcases URS Washington Division’s exceptional engineering expertise in providing a design for the double-tracked, 3,692-foot-long bridge, and for seeing the design through to completion.
“The New River Bridge Project is a perfect illustration of how a design and construction team can work together and engineer innovative solutions,” said SFRTA Executive Director Joseph Giulietti. “SFRTA staff and design engineers, in conjunction with the Florida Department of Transportation, participated as full partners from start to finish. Their cooperation and professionalism resulted in a finished project which overcame severe access and space limitations, with significantly reduced costs.”
The bridge, 55-feet high at its summit, parallels Interstate 95 for approximately two miles between Tri-Rail’s Fort Lauderdale Station and Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport Station at Dania Beach and carries Tri-Rail and Amtrak trains over the New River. The bridge was built over four-and-a-half years at a cost of approximately $78 million, solely funded by the FDOT. The completion of the New River Bridge in April 2007, allowed the SFRTA to implement a new schedule in June 2007, increasing the number of weekday trains from 40 to 50 a day. Trains previously operated on a bascule bridge over the river, which was raised and lowered to accommodate trains and nautical traffic.
The ACEC is touted as the voice of America’s engineering industry and engages in a wide range of engineering works geared toward propelling the nation’s economy and enhancing/safeguarding America’s quality of life.
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Posted June 24, 2008
On the weekend of June 21, the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority/Tri-Rail handled the relocation of the New Bridge Corridor dispatching system from the Operations Center in Hialeah, Florida to the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority Headquarters in Pompano Beach, Florida. The relocation of the dispatching system to the authority’s headquarters enhances train accessibility for dispatching staff, as well as enhanced project management and quality assurance initiatives.
Aside from some minor technical difficulties which prompted the transition work extending to Monday, June 23, the overall process was a great success, thanks in large part to the authority’s partners.
“We owe a debt of appreciation for the support we received from CSX Transportation during our dispatch relocation this weekend,” said SFRTA Executive Director Joseph Giulietti. “Their team approach and focus to assist us was a contributing factor in the success of this work.”
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Posted June 10, 2008
The Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners has named attorney Felix M. Lasarte as the business representative for the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority Governing Board. Mr. Lasarte began serving his term at the Governing Board’s regularly scheduled meeting on May 23, 2008.
Mr. Lasarte recently left law firm Holland & Knight to open The Lasarte Law Firm. He specializes in real estate law, with a concentration in the areas of land use and zoning. He represents clients before local municipalities and counties in obtaining land use and zoning entitlements. He has represented national, commercial and residential developers pertaining to permitting and zoning functions.
Mr. Lasarte is admitted to practice in the state of Florida and is a member of the Miami-Dade County Development Process Advisory Committee. He received his Bachelor of Arts in political science from Florida International University in 1991 and his Juris Doctor., with honors, from St. Thomas University in 1994.
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Posted June 3, 2008
The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority announced that yesterday, on June 2, Tri-Rail carried 16,319 passengers, making it the second highest ridership day in Tri-Rail history. That number of riders was exceeded only by the 18,452 passengers carried the day the Miami Heat celebrated their National Basketball Association championship on June 23, 2006.
“Tri-Rail’s unprecedented ridership growth has truly become a national news story,” said SFRTA Executive Director Joseph Giulietti.
In recent weeks, Tri-Rail’s 28 percent ridership increase in April 2008 over the same month in 2007 has been reported by the The New York Times and USA Today, as well as on The Today Show, CNN, ABC World News with Charles Gibson, NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams and internationally on Noticiero Univision.
A large percentage of the ridership growth is attributable to increased membership in the Employer Discount Program. Last month, 55 new employers and 861 new employees joined the program, so that members can enjoy unlimited rides on Tri-Rail for just $60 a month. For information about how to join the EDP, call 1-800-TRI-RAIL (874-7245).
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Posted June 2, 2008
The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority announced today that Tri-Rail carried 371,798 passengers in May, making it the highest ridership ever reported in a single month since service began in 1989. The system carried on average 15,343 passengers on weekdays during the month of May. The number of passengers carried last month represents a 22.4 percent increase from May 2007.
“As gas prices escalate, so do our ridership numbers,” said SFRTA Executive Director Joseph Giulietti. “This is a trend that is being seen by public transportation systems across the country, and we continue to be one of the leaders in the industry.”
Ridership on Tri-Rail has steadily increased by double-digit percentages since the beginning of 2008, continuing a trend that began in 2006, when Tri-Rail led the nation in growth in the commuter rail sector by percentage.
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Posted May 30, 2008
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Posted May 22, 2008
The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority announced that on yesterday, May 20, 2008, ridership topped 16,000 passengers. With 16,024 riders, the day marks the second highest ridership day in Tri-Rail history, exceeded only by the 18,452 passengers carried on the day the Miami Heat celebrated their National Basketball Association championship on June 23, 2006.
“We continue to be one of the nation’s leading commuter rail systems as far as growth in ridership,” said SFRTA Executive Director Joseph Giulietti. “With gas prices hovering at $4 a gallon, and predicted to go to $5 a gallon in the near future, our low fares can truly make a difference in the quality of life for our passengers. Unfortunately, due to the tragic incident on the tracks in Pompano Beach yesterday involving Amtrak and a vehicle, riders experienced significant delays. We hope the new passengers will understand that some things are beyond our control and will continue to use the train,” said Giulietti.
Helping the boost in ridership are the hundreds of employers and their employees who are joining the Employer Discount Program. Members enjoy unlimited rides on Tri-Rail for just $60 a month, as part of the program. For information about how to get discounted train tickets through the EDP, call 1-800-TRI-RAIL (874-7245).
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Posted May 9, 2008
Record Numbers of South Floridians are Hopping Onboard the Train
The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA) announced today that on Thursday, May 8, Tri-Rail carried the second highest number of passengers in the history of the 19-year old commuter rail system. Yesterday’s count of 15,871 passengers was surpassed only by the 18,452 passengers carried on June 23, 2006, the day of the Miami Heat parade celebrating their NBA championship.
Tri-Rail ridership has been growing steadily since the completion of the Double Track Corridor Improvement Program in March 2006. That year, Tri-Rail led the nation in growth in the commuter rail sector with a 21 percent increase. In 2007, ridership grew another 10.2 percent. April’s ridership was up 28 percent over April 2007.
The SFRTA attributes the growth to the high price of gas, when compared with some of the lowest commuter rail fares in the country. Members of Tri-Rail’s Employer Discount Program can enjoy unlimited rides for $60 a month, less than the price of a single fill-up in many of today’s vehicles. For more information about Tri-Rail, call 1-800-TRI-RAIL (874-7245).
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Posted April 30, 2008
March Highest Ridership Month Ever Posted
The high cost of gas and concern for the environment has led to the strongest ridership in the history of Tri-Rail. The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority, which operates the commuter rail system, announced today that this month’s ridership increased 28.2 percent over April 2007. April’s average daily ridership was 14,391. Yesterday, Tri-Rail carried 15,504 passengers, making it one of the highest ridership days on record. This marks the ninth day in 2008 that ridership has exceeded 15,000 passengers.
“The overwhelming increase in Tri-Rail’s ridership underscores the need to offer efficient, cost-effective and environmentally friendly public transportation as an alternative to commuters as they grapple with the day-to-day challenges of South Florida’s economical climate,” said SFRTA Executive Director Joseph Giulietti.
Statistics show that March 2008 was the highest ridership month ever, with a passenger count of 348,997, up from 306,783 in 2007. April ridership is expected to exceed that number when the final count is in, tomorrow.
A key component of Tri-Rail’s ridership growth is the Employer Discount Program, which has more than 3,000 members. Employees of companies who register for the free program can purchase a monthly ticket for unlimited rides for just $60 a month.
For additional information, please call 1-800-TRI-RAIL (874-7245).
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Posted April 16, 2008
An Important Message to our Passengers:
Your 4,000 Voices Have Been Heard Reach Out to Your Senators Now
Click here to see how you can continue to help.
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Posted April 7, 2008
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Posted February 7, 2008
February 6 Passenger Count Third Highest in Agency History
The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority announced today that 15,025 passengers rode Tri-Rail on February 6, 2008. This is the third highest ridership count in the history of the agency, with only June 23, 2006, the day of the Miami Heat Victory Parade surpassing that number with 18,613 passengers and a Valentine’s Day promotion on February 15, 1995 surpassing it with 15,921.
“I think people are finally getting the message that public transportation is the economical, environmentally friendly way to commute,” said SFRTA Executive Director Joseph Giulietti. “We’ve been consistently carrying more than 14,000 passengers a day over the past two weeks, but this number certainly puts our ridership growth into a new perspective.”
The SFRTA attributes the recent ridership increases to the ongoing high price of gas, a growing awareness that taking public transportation is a significant way to help the environment, and to a major regional marketing campaign that partners Tri-Rail with McDonalds®. In 2006, Tri-Rail led the nation’s commuter rail systems in ridership growth. The number of passengers has increased by more than 30 percent since the completion of the Double Track Corridor Improvement Program. Tri-Rail operates 50 trains a day, Monday through Friday, and 16 trains a day on Saturday, Sundays and holidays.
For additional information, call 1-800-TRI-RAIL (874-7245).
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Posted January 25, 2008
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Posted January 2, 2008
Ridership Increases 10.2 percent with more than 3.5 million passengers counted
The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority announced today that Tri-Rail carried more passengers in 2007 than during any previous year in its history. In 2007, Tri-Rail transported 3,501,704 riders, marking a 10.2 percent increase over last year’s previous high of 3,177,573 passengers. The highest single ridership day in 2007 was Friday, December 14, when Tri-Rail carried 13,981 passengers.
In 2006, Tri-Rail led the nation in ridership growth in the commuter rails sector, according to the American Public Transportation Association. Since the March 2006 completion of the Double Track Corridor Improvement Program, Tri-Rail ridership has increased by more than 31 percent. The SFRTA operates 50 Tri-Rail trains daily, Monday through Friday, and 16 trains daily on Saturday, Sunday and holidays. Trains operate 365 days a year.
“It is terrific to see ridership growth that falls right in line with Governor Crist’s plan to reduce emissions. Studies have proven that the single way people can most positively impact the environment is by taking public transportation,” said SFRTA Executive Director Joseph Giulietti. “We feel this growth is just the beginning, and look forward to continuing this trend in the coming year. We sincerely appreciate every single one of our passengers,” he concluded.
Tri-Rail is the economical, efficient choice of South Florida commuters, seasonal residents and tourists. Fares start as low as $2 for a roundtrip ticket, with monthly fares available from as little as $40 for qualified passengers. Tri-Rail serves 18 stations from Miami to Mangonia Park, including all three of the region’s international airports. Tri-Rail offers convenient connections to South Florida’s other transit providers, including Broward County Transit, Miami-Dade Transit and Palm Tran. For more information about Tri-Rail, please call Customer Service at 1-800-TRI-RAIL (874-7245).
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Posted December 27, 2007
When the Marketing Department of the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA) was looking for a project to take on as a team-building exercise, they needed look no farther than Bruno Packs, a national effort that originated in Chicago. The program sends snacks, treats, toys and goods to K-9 units abroad, primarily in Iraq. These are items which greatly enhance the quality of life for the troops, but are virtually inaccessible in the field.
When other SFRTA departments found out about the project, the enthusiasm for it spread throughout the agency, and then on to colleagues at Miami-Dade Transit, and customers and employees at Sadie’s Grill in Pompano Beach, as well. The choice of a project to help canines was a natural one for the SFRTA Marketing Department, which won statewide and national advertising competitions for a recent campaign which touted the expanded Tri-Rail service with the help of a dachshund, golden retriever, and trio of miniature poodles.
Altogether more than 200 pounds of items including doggie goggles and eye wipes, tennis balls, chew toys and biscuits were collected for the canine troops, along with sun screen, after sun lotions, soaps, wet wipes, and edible treats for their handlers. In addition, a poster was created to accompany the packs to help cover the cost of postage. For a $5 contribution, sponsors could send a photo of their own pets to the troops, personalizing the effort for both the donors and the recipients. Between the poster and refreshments sold at the recent “Rail Fun Day” event, held last month at the Fort Lauderdale Airport Station, more than $425 was raised. After sending off the Bruno Packs, the remaining $200 was contributed to the Daily Bread Food Bank.
Service dogs improve and save the lives of our soldiers abroad. Their loyalty to our troops is legendary. Bruno Packs is a year-round effort. For more information about the program, log onto www.thehousehound.net.
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Posted December 27, 2007
The National Purchasing Institute presented the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority with the 2007 “Achievement in Excellence in Procurement” Award. The award recognizes excellence in procurement and is achieved by those organizations obtaining a high score on a rating of standardized criteria designed to measure innovation, professionalism, productivity and leadership attributes in public procurement.
The SFRTA has received this prestigious national honor for three consecutive years, and five times altogether. The award was presented to the SFRTA at the 2007 National Institute of Governmental Purchasing Annual Conference.
This year, the SFRTA also won the Florida Public Association of Public Purchasing Officers 2007 “Award for Excellence in Public Procurement.” The award recognizes organizational excellence in procurement for agencies meeting or exceeding benchmarks and best practices in the procurement profession.
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Posted October 4, 2007
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Posted September 26, 2007
Pompano Beach, FL…The most powerful weapon you can use to combat global climate change may be a daily transit pass, according to a new
study that was released today by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). The study, Public Transportation’s Contribution
to U.S. Greenhouse Gas Reduction, was prepared for APTA by Science Applications International Corporation.
The research shows that when compared to other household actions that limit carbon dioxide (CO2,), taking public transportation can be
more than ten times greater in reducing this harmful greenhouse gas. It takes one solo commuter of a household to switch their daily
driving to using public transportation and he or she can reduce their household carbon footprint by 10 percent. If one household’s
driver gives up that second car and switches to public transit, a household can reduce its carbon emissions up to 30 percent.
“Public transportation use should be at the top of the list of ways for households to become greener,” said Joe Giulietti, Executive
Director of the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority. “Switching to public transit gives a person the opportunity to
immediately become part of the solution to help reduce carbon dioxide, a harmful greenhouse gas.”
While it is very important to employ environmentally friendly household activities, commuting by public transportation makes a more
substantial impact. An individual switching to public transit can reduce their daily carbon emissions by 20 pounds; that’s more than
4,800 pounds in a year. This is far greater than the many actions people are being encouraged to take, for instance;
- Home weatherizing and adjusting the thermostat for heating and cooling saves 2,847 pounds of carbon per year. Transit use saves almost twice the carbon.
- Replacing five incandescent bulbs to lower wattage compact fluorescent lamps saves 445 pounds of CO2 per year. Transit use saves more than ten times the CO2.
- Replacing an older refrigerator freezer with a high efficient one saves 335 pounds of CO2 per year. Taking public transportation saves more than fourteen times the carbon.
“Commuting by public transportation is one of the most significant actions a household member can take to reduce their carbon footprint,” Giulietti added.
The research points out that due to increases in vehicle miles traveled, the problem of pollution from vehicle emissions is accelerating. Greenhouse gas
emissions from mobile sources have grown 27 percent from 1990 to 2004. Autos and light duty trucks represent about 61 percent of the total mobile source
of greenhouse gas emissions. The report says single occupancy drivers switching their work commute to public transportation is one of the more effective
ways to reduce the nation’s vehicle miles traveled while reducing harmful carbon dioxide.
“While it is good public policy to require more fuel efficient automobiles, increasing the use of transit can have a more immediate impact
on our nation’s transportation fuel consumption,” said Giulietti. “It could take twenty to thirty years to see a complete turnover of the
vehicle fleet. A household does not need to go to the expense of buying a new vehicle to make a difference; they can simply take advantage
of the nation’s existing bus or rail service to dramatically reduce their carbon footprint.”
The American Public Transportation Association is calling on Congress to incorporate public transportation into a national climate
strategy and the report recommended key elements. It includes providing additional funding levels for more public transportation
investment; providing tax credits to major employers who spend resources to support mass transit ridership programs; and tax credits
to developers for mixed development residential, commercial and transportation sites that encourage greater use of public transportation.
The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority operates Tri-Rail, Florida’s only commuter rail system. According to APTA, Tri-Rail led
the nation’s commuter rail systems in ridership growth for 2006. For additional information call 1-800-TRI-RAIL (874-7245).
APTA is a nonprofit international association of 1,500 member organizations including public transportation systems; planning, design,
construction and finance firms; product and service providers; academic institutions, and state associations and departments of
transportation. APTA members serve the public interest by providing safe, efficient and economical public transportation services
and products. Over ninety percent of persons using public transportation in the United States and Canada are served by APTA members.
SAIC is a leading provider of scientific, engineering, systems integration and technical services and solutions to all branches of U.S.
military, agencies of Department of Defense, the intelligence community, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and other U.S.
Government civil agencies, as well as to customers in selected commercial markets. With more than 44,000 employees in over 150 cities
worldwide, SAIC engineers and scientists solve complex technical challenges requiring innovative solutions for customers' mission-critical
functions.
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Posted July 10, 2007
Joseph Giulietti, executive director of the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority, was named the recipient of the Thomas G. Neusom Founders Award at the 2007 Conference of Minority Transportation Officials, held this past June in Miami, Florida.
As COMTO’s highest honor, the award recognizes distinguished leadership by an individual in the transportation industry. The award is presented to a COMTO member or member group for outstanding contributions made toward the growth and development of minorities in the transportation industry.
“I am proud and humbled to be the recipient of this honor. The SFRTA has been nationally recognized for the hiring and mentoring of minority professionals in our industry. This award only reaffirms our belief that this practice is the best practice,” said Mr. Giulietti in accepting the award.
Mr. Giulietti brings more than 35 years of transportation experience to his position with the SFRTA. He began his railroad career in 1971 as a brakeman/assistant conductor for Penn Central Railroad. In 1978, he assumed his first management post, road foreman for Conrail. He joined Metro North Commuter Railroad in 1983 and held a series of increasingly responsible management and senior management positions, culminating with his appointment as director of the Organizational Staffing Review Project in 1993.
Mr. Giulietti joined Tri-Rail as deputy executive director in 1998 and was named executive director in August 2000. As such, he leads the only commuter rail system in Florida. In 2003, he oversaw the transition of the Tri-County Commuter Rail Authority into the SFRTA. Under his direction, and as part of the SFRTA, Tri-Rail led the nation in ridership growth in the commuter rail sector (by percentage) in 2006, according to the American Public Transportation Association.
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Posted June 28, 2007
The Governing Board of the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority unanimously re-elected
Miami-Dade County Commission Chairman Bruno A. Barreiro as chair and Broward County Mayor,
Commissioner Josephus Eggelletion, Jr., as vice chair at the SFRTA Governing Board Meeting on Friday,
June 22, 2007.
Commissioner Barreiro was originally elected as chair at the SFRTA Governing Board Meeting on December
8, 2006. Commissioner Barreiro served on the Tri-County Commuter Rail Authority Board of Directors
from November 2000 to July 2003, and served as vice chair from July 2001 to July 2002 and chair from
July 2002 to July 2003. He was elected to the Miami-Dade County Commission, representing District 5,
in June 1998 and was reelected in subsequent terms. Commissioner Barreiro’s district includes portions
of Miami and Miami Beach, as well as the communities of Little Havana, South Beach and Downtown Miami.
Elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 1992, Commissioner Barreiro represented District
107 until his election to the Miami-Dade County Commission. While serving in the House, Commissioner
Barreiro chaired the Tourism Committee and served on the General Government Appropriations and
Long-Term Care committees.
Commissioner Barreiro serves as chair of the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners,
Miami-Dade Metropolitan Planning Organization and Miami River Commission. Commissioner Barreiro has
served as chair of the Transportation, Infrastructure and Environment Committee, Miami-Dade County
General Obligation Bond Committee and the Office of Public Transportation Management Subcommittee,
as well as chair and vice-chair of the Internal Management and Fiscal Responsibility Committee.
Commissioner Barreiro is an active community participant and has received numerous awards for his
service and dedication to the city, county, region and his constituents. Professionally,
Commissioner Barreiro is the President of BABJ Investment Corporation in Miami, Florida.
Broward County Mayor, Commissioner Josephus Eggelletion, Jr., was originally named to the SFRTA
Governing Board by the Broward County Commission at the December 5, 2006 meeting. At his first SRFTA
board meeting, Friday, December 8, 2006, Mayor Eggelletion was unanimously elected vice chair of the
SFRTA Governing Board.
Mayor Eggelletion was elected to the Broward County Commission on October 3, 2000, after serving
in the Florida House of Representatives for eight consecutive years, running unopposed in the
elections of 1992, 1994, 1996 and 1998. As state representative, he served on numerous committees,
and had the distinction of being one of only two freshman members appointed to the prestigious House
Appropriations Committee. He accumulated an outstanding voting record and was ranked in the top
quarter of the Florida Legislature by the Miami Herald.
A passionate environmentalist, Mayor Eggelletion passed legislation including the Environmental
Equity and Justice Commission, Florida Clean Vessel Act, Risk-Based Priority Council, Neighborhood
Preservation and Enhancement Bill, as well as the Environmental Regulatory Commission Reorganization
Act.
In addition to the SFRTA Governing Board, Mayor Eggelletion serves on the board of the Broward County
Metropolitan Planning Organization. Mayor Eggelletion has served on the boards of the Broward
Employment and Training Administration Council, the South Florida Regional Planning Council and
the Broward County Water Advisory Board.
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Posted January 2, 2007
The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority today announced that, for the first time in its history, Tri-Rail carried more than three-million passengers in a single calendar year. The total passenger count for 2006 was 3,177,573. The number represents a 21.2 percent growth over last year’s ridership of 2,619,693. The highest previous annual passenger count was 2,911,560 riders in 1993, when commuting patterns changed due to the impact of Hurricane Andrew.
“While these year-end comparisons are certainly impressive, even more so is the fact that since double tracking was completed in March, we have been seeing growth in excess of 30 percent,” said SFRTA Executive Director Joseph Giulietti. “We look forward to even higher passenger counts as we expand our service this spring, when the completion of the New River Bridge will allow us to increase service to 48 or 50 trains a day.”
Ridership has consistently shown double-digit increases since the completion of the Double Track Corridor Improvement Program, Segment 5 Project in March and the addition of 10 daily trains, Monday through Friday. Special events such as “Commuter Challenge” and the American Public Transportation Association’s national events, including “National Dump the Pump Day” and “Communities in Motion Day,” have focused attention on the positive impact of riding public transportation. On June 23, 2006, the day of the Miami Heat victory parade, Tri-Rail carried the most passengers in a single day in its history -- 18,452.
Factors contributing to Tri-Rail’s ridership growth include the high price of gas, increasing traffic congestion on South Florida roadways, an aggressive marketing campaign (letting commuters know about increased service and improved on-time performance following a four-year period of delays due to double-tracking construction) and excess traffic on the South Florida Rail Corridor.
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Posted November 13, 2006
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Posted November 8, 2006
The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority won four first place awards in the Florida Public Transportation’s annual marketing awards competition. The “More Trains. More Often.” campaign took top honors in the categories of print collateral, print advertising, sustaining campaign, and TV spot. The awards were presented at the FPTA’s annual conference, held November
5-8, 2006 in West Palm Beach, FL.
The dog-themed campaign features three different images. A golden retriever jumps through hoops over Tri-Rail’s increased service. Three white poodles howl into a microphone, singing praises to Tri-Rail passengers for their patience during the recent double tracking construction. “Aviator Dog,” a dachshund in full old-fashioned pilot’s regalia, touts the fact that he can get passengers to work faster.
The campaign recently took a top prize in the national AdWheel Competition, sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association. The popular campaign, which was launched in May, promotes the fact that Tri-Rail has gone from 30-40 trains a day, Monday through Friday, and that at $60 a month for members of the Employer Discount Program, it provides an affordable, efficient commuting alternative to single occupancy vehicles.
Since unveiling the campaign, Tri-Rail has recorded a 30% increase in ridership over the same period in 2005. The campaign was created by the SFRTA’s longstanding advertising agency of record, Bitner Goodman.
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Posted November 8, 2006
Joe Giulietti, Executive Director of the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority, was elected
Chair of the Florida Public Transportation Association yesterday at the group’s annual conference.
As Chair, Giulietti will preside over an organization that supports 28 public transportation agencies
across the state. This year’s Conference and Exhibition was held in West Palm Beach November 5 through 8.
Giulietti brings more than 30 years of transportation experience to his new responsibilities. He held a
series of increasingly responsible managerial positions with rail systems in the northeast, including
New York’s Metro-North. He has been with the SFRTA for more than eight years, joining the organization
as Deputy Executive Director of Tri-Rail in 1998 and then becoming Executive Director in August 2000.
Under his guidance, Tri-Rail was transitioned into the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority
in 2003. During his tenure, the SFRTA completed the Double Track Corridor Improvement Program, which has
allowed for service expansion from 28 to 40 trains a day, Monday through Friday. The agency expects to
expand service even further in early 2007, when an additional 8 daily trains will be placed into operation.
The system is currently experiencing ridership growth of more than 30% over the same period in 2005.
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Posted October 5, 2006
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Posted August 15, 2006
The American Public Transportation Association announced today that the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority has won an AdWheel Award in the Group 2 Print category for the Tri-Rail “Getting You There Faster” campaign. This marks the fifth consecutive year that the transportation authority has taken first prize for its marketing initiatives in this prestigious, national competition. According to APTA, there were more than 750 entries this year from transit agencies across the country.
The lighthearted campaign, themed “More trains. More often.” features three different print messages delivered by three different breeds of dogs. It was launched in May to promote the fact that the SFRTA had completed the Tri-Rail Double Track Corridor Improvement Program, Segment 5 Project. This allowed the SFRTA to go from operating 30 to 40 Tri-Rail trains on weekdays, enhance weekend service and dramatically improve overall, on-time performance.
“We chose a dog theme for the first major campaign we’ve mounted since construction began, because, let’s face it, the majority of people love dogs and the way they make them feel,” according to SFRTA Director of Marketing Bonnie Arnold. “They inspire loyalty, reliability, warmth and they make us smile, which is just what we want the new and improved Tri-Rail to do,” she said.
The winning entry features “Aviator Dog,” a brown-haired Dachshund sporting a leather pilot’s cap, goggles and a waving scarf. His message is that the new service can get you to work faster and for just $60 a month. The other two images feature a Golden Retriever flying through hoops over the increased service, and three Miniature Poodles howling, “We’ve got a lot to sing about,” into a microphone, to thank passengers for their patience during the four-year construction period.
The broad-based regional campaign used a diverse mix of media, including billboards, radio, television, websites, direct mail, newspaper and chamber inserts, as well as special events and a partnership with Pollo Tropical. The success of the campaign was underscored by ridership increases of 36 percent in June and July of 2006, above the ridership figures for those same months in 2005.
The “More Trains. More Often.” campaign was created by the SFRTA/Tri-Rail’s longstanding agency of record, Bitner Goodman.
Click here for a look at the winning ad - PDF (large file).
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Posted August 2, 2006
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