Tri-Rail Celebrates 30 Years of Service on January 9, 2019
The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA) celebrated the 30th anniversary of the date Tri-Rail service was launched on Wednesday, January 9, 2019. The SFRTA marked the occasion by having staff on select peak-hour morning trains expressing their appreciation to riders and providing a gift commemorating Tri-Rail’s 30th anniversary. SFRTA’s new Executive Director, former Palm Beach County Commissioner and daily Tri-Rail commuter, Steven L. Abrams, also rode the train and introduced himself to passengers in his new role.
“We are very excited to celebrate Tri-Rail’s 30th anniversary. Over the past 30 years, we have become an essential part of the fabric of South Florida, helping residents and visitors travel throughout the region while taking cars off the roads. On this day, we want to thank Tri-Rail riders for their support over these years”, shared Abrams. “On a personal note, I look forward to greeting my fellow passengers in my new capacity as I continue to ride along with them into the next chapter of Tri-Rail’s service.”
Tri-Rail has carried more than 92 million passengers since beginning service on January 9, 1989. It has become the go-to public transportation resource for commuters, students, leisure travelers, youth and senior citizens alike. The rail service reaches many popular attractions, shopping centers, corporate centers and educational facilities, regionalizing employment opportunities for all South Floridians, enhancing the area’s economic vitality.
Many riders consider their fellow passengers and train crews to be family. Over the years,
Tri-Rail trains have been the scene for holiday parties, weddings, baby showers, and even Thanksgiving dinners. That feeling is, in part, fostered by the longevity of conductors and engineers. The SFRTA salutes five members of the train crews who have been operating trains since day one of service: conductors Juan Fernandez, Barry Eames and Michael Eames, and engineers Larry Maddox and Andy D’Egidio.
Tri-Rail was conceived as a five-year temporary traffic mitigation measure while I-95 was under construction. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) began planning the regional commuter rail service in 1983. Now operated by the SFRTA, Tri-Rail is a major component of South Florida’s ever-evolving transportation network. The completion of the Double Track Corridor Improvement Program in 2006 and the New River Bridge in 2007 enabled Tri-Rail to extend its schedule to the current 50 trains a day on weekdays and 30 trains a day on weekends and holidays. It operates 365 days a year.
Tri-Rail passengers may have experienced slight delays at the end of 2018, mostly noticed due to the system’s great on-time performance experienced earlier in the year. The delays were mostly due to a large-scale replacement of wood railroad cross ties on the corridor between September and December. The work is mandatory in order to remain compliant with current federal safety regulations. It will also improve the rider experience as passengers will be able to notice a much smoother ride.
We thank our passengers for their patience during this much needed upgrade.
Winter Wonderland Brings Snow and Family Fun to Miami Airport Station
Tri-Rail hosted its 2nd annual Winter Wonderland event at the Miami Airport Station, with as many as 2,000 South Florida children and families in attendance. In addition to a 20-ton snow playground, attendees enjoyed bounce houses, food trucks, face painting, cookie decorating, a coloring station, holiday carolers from the UM Frost School of Music and costumed characters on select southbound trains and at the event.
With 8,040 passengers riding the train on the date of the event, Winter Wonderland was a success as the 7th highest Saturday ridership on record. Tri-Rail extends a huge “thank you” to Herzog for supporting this event as a generous sponsor.
SFRTA Finance Department Wins National Award for Excellence
The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority was awarded a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for the agency’s 2017 comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR). The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management. The agency’s Finance Department has been recognized with this award for the past twenty-one consecutive years.
The CAFR was judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story.
GFOA is a major professional association servicing the needs of nearly 19,000 appointed and elected local, state and provincial-level government officials and other finance practitioners. It provides top quality publications, training programs, services and products designed to enhance the skills and performance of those responsible for government finance policy and management.
Tri-Rail’s 30th Anniversary marks another historic milestone for the agency and the region. History buffs can learn and share more of South Florida’s history at any of the following historical centers along our corridor.
Historical Society of Palm Beach County. Visit the Richard and Pat Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum in downtown West Palm Beach. www.hspbc.org
Historical Society of Lake Worth. View artifacts, books and photographs that record the development of the city at the Lake Worth Historical Museum. www.historicalsocietyoflakeworth.org
Boynton Beach Historical Society. Explore hundreds of photos of Boynton Beach’s pioneers and access the online newsletter. www.boyntonhistory.org
Delray Beach Historical Society. Download archived newspapers and learn more at visiting centers. www.delraybeachhistory.org
Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum. Located at Town Hall in the heart of Boca Raton, the Boca Express Train Museum is less than a mile away. www.bocahistory.org
The Deerfield Beach Historical Society. Visit four local sites listed on the National Register of Historical Places. www.deerfieldbeachhistoricalsociety.com
Pompano Beach Historical Society. Learn more about the second oldest city in Broward County, fifth oldest in all of South Florida. www.pompanohistory.com
History Fort Lauderdale. Enjoy public lectures, workshops, tours, a research center, museum, exhibitions and public structures. www.historyfortlauderdale.org
HistoryMiami. Discover and celebrate Miami’s history through exhibitions, city tours, education, research, collections and publications. www.historymiami.org
SFRTA Finance Department Wins National Award for Excellence
