Tri-Rail starts ‘fund or fail’ campaign

The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA) is mounting a major grassroots effort to bring the financial plight of the Tri-Rail commuter rail service to the attention of Gov. Charlie Crist, State Senators and Representatives. 

The “Fund or Fail” campaign is being organized to inform the public of the impact the impending revenue shortfalls will have on service and to encourage them to contact the Governor and their elected representatives in the House and Senate with the message that Tri-Rail service is critical to the livelihood and welfare of the people of South Florida and it must be saved. 

“The need to let our elected officials in Tallahassee hear our voices is greater now than ever before. Due to revenue shortfalls at the local level, the counties simply cannot afford to continue to fund Tri-Rail as they have in previous years. Passing legislation to provide Tri-Rail with a new dedicated revenue stream is the only way to ensure that commuter rail service in South Florida, as we know it, will survive,” said SFRTA Executive Director Joe Giulietti.

If dedicated funding legislation does not pass in the Legislature, service reductions will take place on or about Oct. 5, 2009. SFRTA would be forced to cut back Tri-Rail service to possibly as few as 30 trains each weekday, down from the current level of 50. Service on the weekends and holidays would be eliminated. 

The easiest way for the public to assist in this effort is to log onto www.tri-rail.com and click on the “Fund or Fail” banner. Respondents will be given the option of signing a petition supporting dedicated funding or of sending either the pre-written or a personalized message to the Governor, State Senators and Representatives.