Tri-Rail commuter service turns 30

The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA) today will mark the 30th anniversary of Tri-Rail commuter-rail service.

Tri-Rail has logged more than 92 million passengers since beginning service Jan. 9, 1989.  The service initially was conceived as a five-year temporary traffic mitigation measure while Interstate 95 was under construction.

The Florida Department of Transportation began planning the regional commuter-rail service in 1983. Now operated by SFRTA, Tri-Rail is a major component of South Florida's evolving transportation network, operating 50 trains on weekdays and 30 trains on weekends and holidays, authority officials said in a press release.

"The agency has come a long way since its inception 30 years ago. 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," said SFRTA Executive Director Steven Abrams.

The authority plans to mark the occasion today by placing staff members on select peak-hour morning trains to hand out gifts commemorating the anniversary. Abrams also expects to ride trains to introduce himself to passengers as the new executive director. On Jan. 1, he succeeded Jack Stephens, who retired at 2018's end.