On Friday, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced that the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority was awarded approximately $13.5 million in stimulus funds, as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). Categorized under Rail and Fixed Guideway Funds, this grant will allow the SFRTA/Tri-Rail to purchase a minimum of three new locomotives to be fully covered by federal funds.  

This news comes on the heels of the FTA's announcement on July 14, awarding the SFRTA/Tri-Rail $2.5 million in stimulus funds, under Urbanized Area Formula Funds, to be used for the purchase of one locomotive. 

"This news couldn't have come at a better time for our passengers who rely on our service for a better quality of life, and who deserve the enhancements that these funds will make possible," said Commissioner Jeff Koons, Palm Beach County Commission board chairman and SFRTA Governing Board chair. "The SFRTA is once again extremely grateful for the unwavering support of the FTA, and although our fight for dedicated funding is far from over, support like this is always wonderful to receive and beneficial to the entire South Florida region.".

Aside from locomotives, the procurement of rolling stock, including 10 new cab cars and four new trailer cars, is currently under way; two cab cars are scheduled to arrive by the end of this year. Funding for this procurement is made possible by the FTA, Florida Department of Transportation and Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties.