The Florida Tri-Rail, Serving the Miami Region

The Florida Tri-Rail commuter railroad system, operated and maintained by the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (or SFRTA), has been in operation since 1987 and today is a north-south linear system stretching 72 miles from the Miami International Airport to Mangonia Park Station where it connects with Amtrak’s Silver Service operation. Interestingly Tri-Rail was initially meant only as a temporary means of mass transit until upgrades to Interstate 95 were completed but became so popular in the Miami area that has remained in operation for the last 20+ years and extended to its current length in 1998. Today, it has become an even popular mode of transportation for commuters and vacationers in and around the Miami region, particularly as gas prices continue to rise.

The Florida Tri-Rail trackage was purchased from CSX Transportation in 1989 of ex-Seaboard Coast Line lines although CSX continues to dispatch and maintain the route through contract with the Florida Department of Transportation and Veolia Transportation, who currently manages the system, although eventual plans hope to allow the commuter system to do its own maintenance and dispatching.

Today, Tri-Rail sees daily ridership exceeding 15,000 commuters serving 18 stations and a system that just completed a double-tracked route in 2007 allowing for even faster and more efficient commuting times between all three of South Florida’s international airports (Miami, Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood, and Palm Beach). According to Tri-Rail the double-tracking, “was a $333.8 million project that included the installation of 43.5 miles of second mainline track; upgrades to the existing signal system; construction of 11 new bridges; replacement and/or rehabilitation of 13 bridges; modification and renovation of 10 stations; acquisition of five locomotives and two cab cars, as well as enhancements to grade crossing - providing full closure at all 70 grade crossings.

The long-awaited completion of the Segment 5 Project this past March has given commuters more options in making transportation choices with added trains, reduced times between trains, shorter travel time from end to end within the Tri-Rail service area and more flexibility. As a result, the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority has expanded Tri-Rail operations from 30 to 40 trains per day, representing a 33 percent increase in weekday service. Additional improvements facilitated by the completion of the Segment 5 Project include enhanced comfort at stations, future expansion capabilities, more efficient movement of goods and freight and less traffic congestion. South Florida Regional Transportation Authority/Tri-Rail estimates that these improvements will serve 27,900 average daily boardings by 2015.”

Even Tri-Rail’s equipment is the latest featuring bi-level coaches from both Bombardier and Colorado Railcar bedecked in a flashy tropical theme of blue, white, orange, and green. The agency’s motive power fleet is all-EMD either rebuilt or currently being modified for commuter rail service:

· #801 – 805: F40PHL-2 - Rebuilt by Morrison-Knudsen

· #807 – 809: F40PH-2C - Rebuilt by Morrison-Knudsen

· #810 and #811 : F40PHR - Ex-Amtrak rebuilt by Morrison-Knudsen

· #812 – 817: GP49PH – Ex-Southern GP49s rebuilt by Morrison-Knudsen

All in all, the Florida Tri-Rail system has become a much more successful and larger endeavor than ever originally planned or anticipated. However, since its inception it has given commuters and travelers another means of transportation, particularly one that is less stressful and more pleasant than facing nearby congested I-95. Future plans hope to see the system extended onto the nearby Florida East Coast Railway and expanding commuter rail operations further throughout Florida, which, with any luck, will become reality. If you would like to learn more about Florida Tri-Rail or are perhaps considering using the system please click here to visit their website.