Florida's Tri-Rail Hits Ridership Milestone

South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA), the operating agency for Tri-Rail, reported the commuter rail system averaged 15,000 weekday riders in the month of February 2024.

This is the first time the average weekday ridership was over 14,000 in any month since February 2020, exactly four years ago, when Tri-Rail ridership was regularly at 15,000 daily rides.

Tri-Rail’s Ridership Success

Tri-Rail services also experienced the highest average for weekend ridership in February 2024, nearing 8,000 passengers on Saturdays and Sundays.

The system set a new weekend record with 10,129 passengers riding the trains on February 24, on the day the agency held its annual Rail Fun Day event, and 7,797 passengers on March 10, the date of the Calle Ocho Music Festival. Both days represent the highest ridership on each respective day for the system.

“We are super excited that more and more people are realizing the value that Tri-Rail provides to our communities,” said David Dech, SFRTA executive director. “It’s not only the best way to get to the airport and avoid I-95 every day, but also to get you to a wide variety of major events that we get to enjoy in South Florida.”

Restoring Frequencies, Ridership

Tri-Rail recently expanded service by including a stop at MiamiCentral Station, providing passengers with a new connection to downtown Miami.

The new service was introduced on January 13, and has grown from 100 to over 300 daily passengers in its first few weeks of service, with an opportunity to continue to grow as more passengers become accustomed to the new service.

One of the agency’s pushes to promote the new station is reengaging its partnership with the Ultra Music Festival on March 22, 23, and 24, to offer special train service at the conclusion of each night’s concert for the weekend-long event, as done in previous years. The difference in 2024 is a Tri-Rail train will depart directly from downtown Miami.

“There is room onboard Tri-Rail for more people looking to avoid traffic jams, unpredictable car expenses, and fluctuating gas prices,” added Dech. “And we will keep working on opportunities to provide the best possible service so more people can enjoy their travels around town by train.”