Tri-Rail scores record daily ridership due to Miami Heat parade

On Monday, the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA) announced Tri-Rail posted its highest paid daily ridership in the commuter-rail system's 24-year history on June 24.

Tri-Rail transported 19,060 people, many of whom attended a "victory parade" for the Miami Heat, which recently won this year's National Basketball Association national championship.

Most trains operated at or near capacity, SFTRA officials said in a press release. Special four-car sets were operated to accommodate the anticipated overflow crowd.

Previous Miami Heat victory parades resulted in high ridership counts for Tri-Rail, as well. On June 23, 2006, Tri-Rail transported 18,613 riders; and on June 25, 2012, the agency carried 18,355 passengers.