MIAMI — Three counties served by commuter operator Tri-Rail are being asked to pay $10 million each to cover a $30 million annual deficit, with the possibility looming that deficit could reach $90 million per year.
The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports in a paywalled article that the executive director of the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority, Tri-Rail’s parent agency, told a meeting today (Feb. 28, 2025) that Tri-Rail is currently surviving with the help of federal COVID-19 stimulus money. But that funding will run out in 18 months, and the state of Florida has indicated it wants to end its contribution, currently $60.7 million.
Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties currently contribute $4.2 million per year. Another $15 million comes from fares, and $4 million from the federal government. The annual operating budget for the 73-mile, 19-station commuter line is $150 million.
Tri-Rail, which launched in 1989, was used by about 14,700 riders per day in 2024 and 4.5 million for the year, according to American Public Transportation Association figures. That would be roughly equivalent to its pre-pandemic high of 4.49 million.
Officials from the three counties indicated finding the additional funds will be a challenge.
“We have to continue Tri-Rail,” Broward County Commissioner Steve Geller said at the meeting of the South Florida and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Councils. “I don’t know how we do it, and I don’t know how we don’t do it.”
$15 million in fares from 4.5 million riders works out to $3.33 average fare. Maybe they need to raise the fares??
Do I read this correctly …. that 10% comes from fares?