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Posted December 14, 2009
I want to thank everyone who has worked diligently to bring this bill to fruition. Passage of this
legislation would not have been possible without the support of the leadership in the House and the
Senate, especially that of Senate President Jeff Atwater. Our gratitude also goes out to our three
county commissions, our partners around the state, and the SFRTA Governing Board. This bill benefits
the thousands of riders who depend on Tri-Rail, the 320 employees who keep the system running each
and every day, and the people of Tampa, Orlando and Jacksonville, who are that much closer to making
passenger rail a reality in their communities.
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Posted November 30, 2009
Application Deadline Revised on 1/21/10*
The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority, in partnership with the Metropolitan Planning
Organization in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties, is announcing a call for projects in the
Miami Urbanized Area for Job Access & Reverse Commute and New Freedom program funds for fiscal years
2008 and 2009. These Federal Transit Administration program funds are available for projects that
improve transportation for individuals with low incomes, recipients of welfare and / or persons with
disabilities.
The amount of funds available for fiscal year 2008 includes $3,195,924 for JARC projects and
$1,812,295 for New Freedom projects. The amount of funds available for fiscal year 2009 includes
$3,751,178 for JARC projects and $2,088,998 for New Freedom projects. Funds can be used for capital,
operating and administrative expenses. Eligible applicants include private, non-profit organizations;
state or local governmental authorities and operators of public transportation services, including
private, for-profit operators of public transportation services. The solicitation will be limited to
projects that have been derived from an adopted Human Services Transportation Coordination Plan.
The funds can be used to support up to 80 percent (an 80 / 20 match) for capital projects and not
more than 50 percent (a 50 / 50 match) of project costs for operating assistance.
The application form, as well as details concerning specific eligibility requirements, local- share
requirements and allowable activities, can be found in the Miami Urbanized Area JARC & New Freedom
Application Package, available online the week of December 7, 2009 at
www.sfrta.fl.gov/grants.html.
The application deadline is *Friday, February 19, 2010 at 12 p.m. Applications must be received by
this time to be eligible for consideration. Applications found to be incomplete or received after
12 p.m. on Friday, February 19, 2010 will not be considered for funding. Completed applications
must be submitted to the SFRTA at 800 NW 33rd Street, Pompano Beach, Florida 33064.
For additional information, or to request the application in another format, please contact
Natalie Yesbeck at 954-788-7957 or at JARC-NF@sfrta.fl.gov.
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Posted November 24, 2009
The Broward County Board of County Commissioners has appointed Commissioner Kristin Jacobs to the
Governing Board for the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority, effective October 6, 2009.
Commissioner Jacobs replaces former commissioner Josephus Eggelletion.
Commissioner Jacobs was elected to represent the people of District 2 on the County Commission in 1998.
During her tenure on the County Commission, she served as Broward County mayor in 2005 and as vice-mayor in 2004.
Her first priority continues to be her work as an outspoken advocate for protecting Broward’s quality of life.
Whether fighting for a common sense approach to growth-management planning, protecting our environment,
securing fair wages for workers, creating attainable housing or creating a public transportation system that
moves people, not cars, it is Broward County’s homes, families and neighborhoods she is working to sustain.
She has always been an ardent supporter of mass transportation as a means to ease traffic congestion in Broward
County. She spearheaded the Community Bus Transportation Network, which connects neighborhoods to Broward County
Mass Transit in more than 20 cities and was instrumental in obtaining support through the dedication of gas tax
funds to establish this service. In 2005, Commissioner Jacobs presented a successful resolution to the Board of
County Commissioners opposing the Florida Department of Transportation’s increase in high-occupancy vehicle
lane travel restrictions by four hours a day.
Commissioner Jacobs believes that the welfare of our community is dependent on a healthy environment. While
“going green” is a popular practice now, it was several years ago that she championed the NatureScape Broward
and Water Matters initiatives. Each volunteer program promotes water conservation, wildlife habitat creation and
pollution prevention through the use of Florida-friendly landscape practices. Her preservation efforts have earned
her the James D. Webb Public Service Award from the Everglades Coalition for her outstanding contribution to the
protection of the Everglades ecosystem. Commissioner Jacobs’ environmental leadership has also been recognized by
the Florida Environmental Resource Agency, the Southeast Society of Environmental Engineers and the Broward County
Audubon Society.
Commissioner Jacobs lives with her husband Stuart and their three children, Rick, Lauren and Mitchell in Pompano Beach.
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Posted October 1, 2009
Phase 2 of the South Florida East Coast Corridor (SFECC) Study is developing a Master Plan of
recommendations for transit service along the 85-mile project corridor. The study is considering
which types of transit will function best, where stations will be located and what kind of station
will best suit each location.
The study is being conducted by the Florida Department of Transportation, in partnership with
the planning and transit agencies of Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties. Please log
onto www.sfeccstudy.com for dates and times of the
various public meetings being held across all three counties. You can also utilize the contact
information listed below for each county:
- Broward County: Ali Soule at 1-800-330-7444, info@communikatz.com
- Miami-Dade County: Charesse Chester at 305-944-7564, info@cchesterpr.com
- Palm Beach County: Denis Eirikis at 561-798-9633, eirikis@clearlightpr.com
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Posted July 24, 2009
Funds to Be Used In Purchasing New Locomotives
As part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Federal Transit Administration announced on July 24, 2009, that the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority was awarded approximately $13.5 million in stimulus funds, as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Categorized under Rail and Fixed Guideway Funds, this grant will allow the SFRTA/Tri-Rail to purchase a minimum of three new locomotives to be fully covered by federal funds.
This news comes on the heels of the FTA’s announcement on July 14, awarding the SFRTA/Tri-Rail $2.5 million in stimulus funds, under Urbanized Area Formula Funds, to be used for the purchase of one locomotive.
The commitment of all of these funds totals $16 million in monies awarded to the SFRTA/Tri-Rail this month as part of the ARRA of 2009.
“This news couldn’t have come at a better time for our passengers who rely on our service for a better quality of life, and who deserve the enhancements that these funds will make possible,” said Commissioner Jeff Koons, Palm Beach County Commission board chairman and SFRTA Governing Board chair. “The SFRTA is once again extremely grateful for the unwavering support of the FTA, and although our fight for dedicated funding is far from over, support like this is always wonderful to receive and beneficial to the entire South Florida region,” said Commissioner Koons.
Aside from locomotives, the procurement of rolling stock, including 10 new cab cars and four new trailer cars, is currently underway; two cab cars are scheduled to arrive by the end of this year. Funding for this procurement is made possible by the FTA, Florida Department of Transportation and Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties.
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Posted July 13, 2009
The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority Governing Board elected Palm Beach County
Commissioner Jeff Koons as chair and Miami-Dade County Commissioner Bruno A. Barreiro as vice
chair at the June 26, 2009 meeting. The commissioners will each serve a one-year term, beginning
July 1, 2009.
Commissioner John “Jeff” Koons was first elected to the Palm Beach County Board of County
Commissioners in November 2002 and was re-elected to his second term in November 2006, currently serving as board chairman. Known
for his knowledge of transportation issues, Commissioner Koons has focused his efforts on
improving transportation options, including rapid transit bus corridors and establishing a
dedicated funding source for regional transportation projects. He has served as the chair of
the Palm Beach County Metropolitan Planning Organization from 1993 - 2008. Commissioner Koons served
on the Board of Directors in 1999 for the Regional Transportation Organization, which evolved
into the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority. Commissioner Koons has served on the
Governing Board of the SFRTA since 2003, serving as chair in 2005 - 2006 and vice chair in
2004 - 2005 and in 2008 - 2009.
Commissioner Koons is a Board appointee to the Children’s Services Council, and as a nature
enthusiast is involved in many greenway projects, including planning and implementation efforts
for the North and South Everglades. Commissioner Koons attended Miami University in Oxford,
Ohio and has resided in West Palm Beach since 1972.
Commissioner Bruno A. Barreiro served on the Tri-County Commuter Rail Authority Board of Directors
from 2000 - 2003, and served as chair in 2002 - 2003 and vice chair in 2001 - 2002. Commissioner
Barreiro was named to the SFRTA Governing Board in January 2006, and served as chair in 2006 - 2007
and again in 2007 - 2008, after being re-elected. He was first elected to the Miami-Dade County
Commission, representing District 5, in June 1998. Since then, he has been re-elected for
subsequent terms to represent constituents in portions of Miami and Miami Beach, as well as the
communities of Little Havana, Downtown Miami and South Beach.
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 served as chair of Miami-Dade
County’s General Obligation Bond Committee and the Office of Public Transportation Management
Subcommittee, as well as serving as vice chair of the Internal Management and Fiscal Responsibility
Committee. Commissioner Barreiro served as chairman of the Board of County Commissioners in 2007
and 2008. Currently, Commissioner Barreiro serves as the vice chair of the Recreation, Culture
and Tourism Committee, which oversees all matters concerning parks, culture and tourism-related
activities in Miami-Dade County. He also sits on the Airport and Seaport Committee and Health,
Public Safety and Intergovernmental Committee, as well as the State Intergovernmental Affairs
Subcommittee.
Commissioner Barreiro attended the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida and is the
president of BABJ Investment Corporation located in Miami, Florida.
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Posted July 10, 2009
Funds to Be Used In Purchasing New Equipment
As part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Federal Transit Administration announced on July 9, 2009, that the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority was awarded approximately $2.5 million in stimulus funds, as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Categorized under Urbanized Area Formula Funds, this grant will allow for the SFRTA/Tri-Rail to purchase one new locomotive to be fully covered by federal funds.
“The SFRTA is extremely grateful for the unwavering support of the FTA,” said Commissioner Jeff Koons, Palm Beach County Commission board chairman and SFRTA Governing Board chair. “To be able to tell our passengers last month that we were able to secure train service this year at current levels, and then to be able to now announce that we will be purchasing new equipment thanks to the strong show of support from our federal partners, helps me to believe we are on the right track.”
A second grant applied for by the SFRTA in the amount of $13.5 million under Rail and Fixed Guideway Funds, is still pending. If awarded, these stimulus funds would be utilized in purchasing approximately four additional locomotives. Aside from locomotives, the procurement of rolling stock, including 10 new cab cars and four new trailer cars, is currently underway; two cab cars are scheduled to arrive by the end of this year. Funding for this procurement is made possible by the FTA, Florida Department of Transportation and Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties.
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Posted June 26, 2009
The Governing Board of the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority adopted an amended budget for fiscal year 2009 - 2010 this morning which will enable the Agency to maintain Tri-Rail’s current level of service. The budget goes into effect July 1, 2009, the beginning of the SFRTA’s new fiscal year.
The budget that was passed at this morning’s meeting uses the total county contributions to maintain service. The mandated amounts include $1.567 million for operations and $2.6 million in tax contributions. These amounts reflect a $3 million per county reduction over fiscal year 2008-2009 funding levels. The reduction was necessary due to reduced revenues, primarily property taxes, at the county levels. The Florida Department of Transportation has committed to match the counties’ contributions.
Tri-Rail will continue to run the full schedule of 50 weekday trains and 16 trains on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. If the amended budget had not been passed, Tri-Rail service would have been reduced to approximately 30 weekday trains and service on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays would have been eliminated.
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