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Front Page » Transportation » ‘Improved’ Tri-Rail gains 30% in ridership

‘Improved’ Tri-Rail gains 30% in ridership

Written by on February 7, 2023
  • www.miamitodayepaper.com
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‘Improved’ Tri-Rail gains 30% in ridership

Tri-Rail ridership in January increased 30% over January 2022, the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA) reported last week.

Miami-Dade Tri-Rail trains averaged over 12,000 weekday riders last month, close to 3,000 (30%) more riders than January 2022. Weekend ridership also rose 30%, averaging more than 6,000 riders.

“Between passengers that are returning to their regular commute to avoid the traffic on I-95 and new passengers that have figured out the benefits of this great system, we are happy to see a continued growth in ridership,” said David Dech, SFRTA executive director. “My belief is that Tri-Rail will continue this upward trend as passengers share their experience with their friends and families and convince them to give it a try.”

Mr. Dech told Miami Today that he hopes the increase also is due to “more people having noticed some of the improvements incorporated recently.”

Since taking the post last August, he has stressed “stations and trains being regularly cleaned and [in] great working order.”

Mr. Dech also pointed to a kind of “educational upgrade,” telling his staff he wanted passengers to be “well informed and have the best experience possible.” The director conceded there is still a lot to do but said he is confident SFRTA will get there.

Tri-Rail surpassed 12,000 riders just weeks after Mr. Dech’s start, and reached 13,000 several days this January, totaling over 320,000 for the month, the highest since February 2020.

Connections with Miami International Airport, Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport and Palm Beach International Airport play a significant role in the system’s ridership increase, Mr. Dech said. Tri-Rail stations connecting to the airports are among the top ridership drivers, even during off-season travel months.

“We take pride in providing a dependable commuter rail service that the public can rely on to get them where they need to go,” he said, “and we will continue to look for ways to improve upon the service that we deliver.”

The SFRTA Governing Board recently approved an expansion of “first-mile/last-mile” services at all Tri-Rail stations. “First-mile/last mile” means how a passenger gets to a station and then from the station to a job or other destination.

Already in place is a program that offers an Uber voucher of up to $15 or free taxi service, which mimics what was previously a free shuttle bus service that was terminated during the pandemic. Details: https://www.tri-rail.com/pages/view/commuter-connectors.

As well as taxis and Uber, a scooter/bike sharing program is being explored. An update on Tri-Rail’s Ride Partner services is being prepared for spring.

2 Responses to ‘Improved’ Tri-Rail gains 30% in ridership

  1. al

    February 9, 2023 at 9:53 am

    its always great to ride the rails regardless who they are coming from nyc most of the time for travel is taking the trains so it
    feels great to feel a smooth ride love it

    • Pam Ori

      February 22, 2023 at 6:45 am

      WOW, we are not typical public transport types but love being able to zip to Miami for events from our home in WP Beach,stress-free. At a fraction of the cost of Brightline (ridiculous) and without the fear of a Brightline fatality delaying and blighting our trip. And most importantly no reservations needed. The connections are stellar and seamless and the trains spotless, no torn seats. Plus a silent and smooth ride. Very impressed, will ride often now. FANTASTIC.

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