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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 September 28, 2009
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Posted August 14, 2009
Palm Beach County has completed a new parking lot adjacent to the west platform at Tri-Rail’s West
Palm Beach Station. The new parking lot provides 118 additional spaces for passengers and 45
designated spaces for South Florida Regional Transportation Authority/Tri-Rail and Palm Tran
employees. The parking lot also provides special spaces for scooters and motorcycles, along
with bicycle lockers which will be used as part of a new passenger program/amenity to be launched
in the near future. The new lot, accessible from Clearwater Avenue, will open to the public
on Tuesday, August 18.
“Parking has long been at a premium at Tri-Rail’s West Palm Beach Station, which is also utilized
by Amtrak and Greyhound patrons,” said Commissioner Jeff Koons, Palm Beach County Commission board
chairman and SFRTA Governing Board chair. “The opening of the new parking lot will definitely
enable us to better serve our passengers and greatly enhances the new West Palm Beach Intermodal
Center, overall.”
The lot was built at a cost of approximately $1 million with funding provided by the Federal
Transit Administration and the Florida Department of Transportation.
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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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Posted May 5, 2009
A STATEMENT FROM BROWARD COUNTY COMMISSIONER JOSEPHUS EGGELLETION, JR., CHAIR, SOUTH FLORIDA REGIONAL
TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY GOVERNING BOARD
“We have just learned that there are no additional funds to save Tri-Rail in the state of Florida’s FY10
budget. Clearly, this is a serious issue, which will create a hardship for the people of South Florida
who rely on the train for their livelihood and well-being. It will also have a devastating effect on
thousands of businesses that depend on the train to get their employees to work.
The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority is faced with two scenarios, at this time. In scenario
number one, Tri-Rail can operate for only 18 months as of October 5, 2009, based on the counties funding
Tri-Rail at the $1.565 million provided by legislation. This would mean a drastic reduction in Tri-Rail
service with only 30 trains per day and no weekend or holiday service. I have asked the Executive Director
to prepare a budget based on this scenario for the Friday, May 22, 2009 Governing Board Meeting.
In the second scenario, Tri-Rail can only operate for nine to 12 months as of October 5, 2009, with the
reduced schedule as mentioned above, if any one of the three counties elects to give zero dollars to the
SFRTA/Tri-Rail, which is a very real possibility.”
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Posted April 27, 2009
The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority is offering free rides on Tri-Rail to members
of the military in town for the annual Fleet Week. Beginning Monday, April 27 through Saturday,
May 2, anyone possessing a valid military ID may enjoy unlimited travel throughout the commuter
rail system.
For additional information, call 1-800-TRI-RAIL (874-7245).
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Posted April 13, 2009
Federal Transit Administration Program Funds Now Available
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
year 2007. 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 amounts of funds available for fiscal year 2007 include $2,950,084 for JARC projects and
$1,677,667 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 April 13 at
www.sfrta.fl.gov/grants.html.
The application deadline is May 8, 2009 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 May
8, 2009 will not be considered for funding. Completed applications must be submitted to the SFRTA
at 800 NW 33rd Street, Pompano Beach, FL 33064.
For additional information, or to request the application in another format, please contact SFRTA
Grants Administrator Carla McKeever at 954- 788-7953 or at JARC-NF@sfrta.fl.gov.
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Posted April 1, 2009
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Posted January 20, 2009
New character to promote public transportation as a “green” alternative
The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority has recently introduced Tri-Rail’s first-ever
mascot, Conductor George Green. The new mascot will serve as a community ambassador, educating
families about the benefits of riding Tri-Rail and promoting public transportation as the single
most important choice an individual can make to “go green.”
“We created Conductor George Green to engage families and further brand Tri-Rail as a cost-effective
and ‘green’ way to get to work, school and exciting destinations throughout South Florida,” said
Executive Director Joseph Giulietti, South Florida Regional Transportation Authority/Tri-Rail.
“The opportunities for Conductor George Green to promote public transportation across the region
are endless. We believe that the mascot will become a recognized symbol of Tri-Rail, which is a
vital ‘green’ solution as a key component of South Florida’s public transportation network.”
Conductor George Green recently took an inaugural ride onboard Tri-Rail to be welcomed by a crowd
of nearly 2,000 people attending Tri-Rail’s 20th Anniversary “Rail Fun Day” celebration. The
mascot will continue to make appearances at several tri-county community events and visit local
schools to educate children about train safety and public transportation’s role as an environmentally
friendly way to travel.
Children will also have the opportunity to celebrate their birthday with Conductor George Green by
registering for Tri-Rail’s new Birthday Club, sponsored in part by Pollo Tropical®. Adults can
register their children ages 10 or younger, to receive a complimentary Conductor George Green
coloring book and a train ticket for a future ride onboard Tri-Rail. Everyone who registers will
be automatically entered for the chance to win a Key West getaway, including a three-day/two-night
stay in a fully-furnished two-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bath beach house at the ultra-luxurious Parrot
Key Resort, passes on the Conch Tour Train and dinner at Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville.
Tri-Rail, South Florida’s premier commuter rail system, is the way to go for traveling to work,
school, major airports, popular South Florida attractions and special events, seven days a week.
Tri-Rail is the ticket to a stress-free commute with low fares, convenient bus connections and 18
easily accessible train stations along a 72-mile rail corridor throughout Broward, Miami-Dade and
Palm Beach counties. For more information about Tri-Rail, please call 1-800-TRI-RAIL (874-7245).
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Posted January 7, 2009
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Posted January 5, 2009
Passenger Count Tops 4,000,000 for First Time in History
The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority announced today that Tri-Rail carried
more than four million passengers during 2008, marking the first time in the system’s 20-year
history that ridership has broken that benchmark in a single, calendar year. Preliminary figures
show that Tri-Rail carried 4,303,509 passengers in 2008, representing a 22.9 percent increase
over the 2007 total of 3,501,704 passengers.
“These statistics show that the trend of double-digit growth that we have experienced over the
past three years is continuing,” said SFRTA Executive Director Joe Giulietti. “Even with the
dramatic reduction in the price of fuel, ridership continues to grow at a record pace. People
in South Florida, like record numbers across the country, have come to realize that using public
transportation isn’t just about saving money on gasoline; it’s also about mobility, sustainability
and taking responsibility for the environment.”
According to the American Public Transportation Association, Tri-Rail has consistently been one of
the nation’s leaders for ridership growth in the commuter rail sector since 2006, when it showed
the largest percentage of growth of any system in the country. Ridership on Tri-Rail has more than
doubled since 2005.
For more information, call 1-800-TRI-RAIL (874-7245).
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Posted December 1, 2008
The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority has launched a comprehensive website questionnaire
to survey the opinion of South Florida residents regarding transportation issues. The effort is part
of a broad-based program to reach current riders, area companies and their employees, non-users of
public transportation and the public at-large, through onboard surveys, an internet-based
questionnaire at www.helpsouthfloridatransit.com,
telephone polling and forums held at various employment sites throughout the region. The effort will
continue through mid-December.
The internet-based component of the survey will seek input from frequent, infrequent and non-users
of public transportation by soliciting ideas and opinions on how to attract new riders and how to
make the experience better for current and potential riders.
In order to expand the public transportation system in South Florida, a dedicated source of funding
will be required. The survey is also intended to gather the public’s opinion regarding the future of
our region’s transportation funding and to help identify the mechanisms that could generate sufficient
resources to support a system that serves the needs of the people efficiently and effectively.
The questionnaire, which is user friendly and should take less than 10 minutes to complete, can be
accessed through the link
www.helpsouthfloridatransit.com and through additional links found on
Tri-Rail’s website at www.tri-rail.com and the South Florida
Regional Transportation Authority’s website at www.sfrta.fl.gov.
For additional information concerning the questionnaire, call 1-866-618-6525.
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Posted October 29, 2008
99 Percent Blend is Among Purest Biodiesel Used by Any Commuter Rail System in the Country
The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority announced today that effective immediately,
Tri-Rail trains will operate on biodiesel fuel. The goal is to operate trains on a 99-percent blend,
when available. Tri-Rail is one of the few commuter rail systems in the country that can operate on
such a pure blend of fuel, due to South Florida’s temperate climate. The transition to biodiesel
fuel will have a significantly positive impact on the region’s environment and is supported and
encouraged by many public transportation oversight and regulatory agencies.
“The Federal Transit Administration is committed to encouraging the use of alternative fuels in
the nation’s rail and bus systems,” said FTA Administrator James S. Simpson, whose agency funded
the locomotives that will be part of Tri-Rail’s biodiesel fleet. “By taking this important step,
Tri-Rail is leading the way toward energy independence.”
“The switch to biodiesel fuel has been long in coming,” said Commissioner Josephus Eggelletion, Jr.,
chair of the SFRTA Governing Board. “It follows in the path of Governor Crist’s mission to ‘green’
the state of Florida and we are pleased that the economies and efficiencies have come together to
allow us to make this change for the betterment of the environment.”
The biodiesel fuel will consist of either palm or soy oil, depending upon availability. According
to tests done at the Southwest Research Center in San Antonio, Texas and funded by the FTA, Tri-Rail
locomotives use approximately seven percent more fuel when operating on biodiesel; however, it
currently costs approximately 30 cents per gallon less than diesel fuel and the environmental
benefits outweigh the additional cost. Furthermore, possibilities of environmental impact to
the soil in the event of a fuel spill is significantly reduced in instances where biodiesel fuel
is used, because biodiesel fuel does not present the same hazards as a typical diesel-fuel spill,
foremost among them - soil pollution.
Additional benefits to using biodiesel fuel in lieu of diesel fuel are low emissions, comparable
power and efficiency, capability of being mixed with diesel fuel without modification, and safer
storage and transport. Biodiesel fuel is non-toxic, biodegradable and has a flashpoint of 300
degrees Fahrenheit compared to diesel fuel’s flashpoint of 125 degrees Fahrenheit.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, biodiesel fuel produces approximately 43 percent less
carbon monoxide, 56 percent less hydrocarbons, 55 percent less particulates, 60 to 90 percent
less air toxins and 78 percent less carbon dioxide than diesel fuel. Biodiesel fuel produces no
sulfur emissions, and produces five percent more nitrous oxide than diesel fuel.
Biodiesel will be used in all of Tri-Rail’s conventional train sets. The Diesel Multiple Units
will continue to operate on standard diesel fuel, due to warranty restrictions. Separate fueling
stations located at the Hialeah Yard make it possible for the SFRTA to operate trains on both types of fuel.
The SFRTA currently operates 50 Tri-Rail trains daily, Monday through Friday and 16 trains on
Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. A study by the American Public Transportation Association has
shown that the single most effective choice an individual can make to help the environment is
to utilize public transportation. With a Tri-Rail Monthly Ticket available for only $80,
riding Tri-Rail not only provides an environmental solution for commuting, but an economical
one, as well. For more information, call 1-800-TRI-RAIL
(874-7245).
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