January 1999

A Message from the Executive Director Happy New Year! As part of our commitment to better serve the needs of Tri-Rail's riders, our goal during this New Year is to continue to make improvements that result in greater reliability, convenience and efficiency. As Tri-Rail begins its second decade of operation, I would like to highlight last year's improvements and this year's initiatives. All are geared toward our goal of doubling Tri-Rail's ridership in five years. During this past year, we've become more reliable through a new partnership with CSXT, which has improved Tri-Rail's on-time performance. We've become more convenient with increased state funds for improved feeder bus service, a new Miami Airport station and an additional shuttle stop at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. We've become more efficient with our Zero Tolerance Fare Evasion Program, reduced train consist size and streamlined Tri-Rail administration. Our fare box return is now 27%, exceeding the required 25% return and our average fare is up almost 15% compared to last year. All good trends that show Tri-Rail is improving. In 1999, Tri-Rail's big push will be to finish its infrastructure. Tri-Rail's Board of Directors recently approved the new, $478 million, 1999-2004 Capital Plan. The Plan has re-sequenced and accelerated the completion of the $338 million Double Track project. In fact within two years, we can finish adding a second track to over 35 miles - or 50% of our 71-mile corridor. Currently, only nine miles - or 13% of our corridor - is double tracked. Double tracking the corridor will help us achieve our goals of more frequent train service and on-time performance 95% of the time or better. This spring, Tri-Rail will secure a multiyear commitment of the needed state and federal funds. We will start the New Year with the celebration in January 1999 of Tri-Rail's Tenth Anniversary! To mark this monumental occasion, we will be promoting a "Friends Ride Free" campaign and launching Tri-Rail's new look for the future. The anniversary celebration will kick-off a year-long marketing campaign, which will not only target new riders, but will benefit loyal riders as well. I will be celebrating an anniversary this month as well, that of my first year leading Tri-Rail. I would like to personally thank all of Tri-Rail's riders, all of the hard-working Tri-Rail, Herzog, Wackenhut staff and our Rail Corridor partners who ensure the smooth operation of South Florida's commuter railroad. I'm looking forward to another successful year here in South Florida. See you on board! Linda Bohlinger -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Take Tri-Rail to Super Bowl XXXIII The Big Game is right here in South Florida. You've got tickets to the Jan. 31 extravaganza at Pro Player Stadium but you're still looking for an easy way to get to and from the game. Avoid the traffic congestion and parking headaches that are sure to surround this huge event. Take a ride on Tri-Rail! Two regularly scheduled southbound trains are available for Super Bowl service on the day of the game: Train No. P685 will arrive at the Golden Glades station at 1 p.m. From there, free shuttle bus service is available to Pro Player Stadium, where the gates will open at 3 p.m. For those preferring to arrive closer to the 6 p.m. kick-off time, Train No. P687 will arrive at the Golden Glades station at 3:37 p.m. Again, shuttle service to the stadium is included in the cost of the train ticket. A special northbound train will train will depart from the Golden Glades station one hour after the game. The round-trip fare for Tri-Rail's Super Bowl service is $25 per person, which includes connecting shuttle bus service. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tri-Rail's 10-Year Ride Tri-Rail has been in service for the past decade, but the planning process that led to the inception of South Florida's commuter rail system dates back to 1971, when the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) began studying the future mass transit needs of South Florida. Some Highlights of Tri-Rail's History: 1983 FDOT begins planning a regional commuter rail service. 1986 FDOT begins building the system. 1988 FDOT purchases 71-mile rail corridor from CSXT for $264 million. 1989 Tri-Rail begins operating with 18 trains; Tri County Commuter Rail Authority is created. 1990 Rider No.1 million is served. 1991 State of Florida invests $85 million for first Capital Program (1991-1995). 1992 Tri-Rail adds six weekday and 10 Sunday trains with Federal Emergency Management Agency funding received as a result of Hurricane Andrew. 1993 Tri-Rail becomes a permanent fixture in South Florida's mass transit network. 1994 Tri-Rail signs interlocal agreement with FDOT and Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties to continue operating. 1995 Highest ridership day ever achieved: 15,921. Zone fare program implemented. Double tracking and signal system replacement project begins. 1996 Tri-Rail completes installation of Automated Ticket Machines at stations. Opening of Sheridan Street and Opa-locka stations. Tri-Rail initiates first-ever television ad campaign. 1997 Tri-Rail introduces half-hour train service during rush hour. Double tracking is completed on 8.14 miles in center of corridor (Phase I). 1998 Tri-Rail begins a targeted marketing program with the goal of increasing ridership. FY 1999-2004 Capital Plan is adopted. Zero tolerance fare enforcement policy is put into action. 1.5-mile extension to the Miami Airport Station (Phase II) is completed. Double tracking is started (Phase III) from Pompano Beach to Boca Raton and (Phase IV) from Opa-locka to Golden Glades. State-of-the-art signal installation completed. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Friends Ride FREE January 22-24 In celebration of Tri-Rail's 10th Anniversary, one friend rides free with each Tri-Rail ticket that is purchased from Friday, January 22 through Sunday, January 24. If your friends haven't been on Tri-Rail lately, now is the time to get them on board especially while FRIENDS RIDE FREE. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- January Rider of the Month Tri-Rail's passenger of the month is Dean Hill, who works for the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station in Opa-locka and commutes from West Palm Beach. He writes: I have been riding the train for the past two years and I will agree that on-time delivery is improving. However, what action plan does Tri-Rail have for situations that result in a train hitting a person or car? Major disruptions occur when this situation happens. If a plan does not exist, why not develop an action plan that will have an immediate effect to limit delays? Answer: Tri-Rail's System Safety Plan currently dictates action for incidents like those you mentioned. However, responses to major disruptions can vary significantly depending on where train equipment is located at the time of an incident, the nature of the incident, whether or not buses are available and which jurisdiction the incident occurs in. Double tracking will help alleviate severe delays caused by service disruptions, assuming an incident does not block both tracks. Improved efficiency at the scene of accidents by local police jurisdictions will also help resume regular service rapidly. Currently each local jurisdiction has responsibility for clearing an accident on Tri-Rail's corridor. Tri-Rail is working with the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) to develop more consistent response procedures. State legislation is also being considered that would designate FHP as the response authority for rail corridor incidents. In theory, FHP officers patrolling 1-95 would respond to incidents along the rail corridor. Together with standardizing response procedures, Tri-Rail is working operationally to limit disruptions in case of an accident. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be Our Rider of the Month Have a question or comment about Tri-Rail? Here's your opportunity! Simply mail your question to: Tri-Rail Marketing Department, Attn: Rider of the Month, at our new administrative office, 800 NW 33rd St., Suite B-100, Pompano Beach, Fla., 33064, to be featured in an upcoming issue.