Why is the Tri-Rail so limited? (Miami, Fort Lauderdale: house, construction, beach)

[LIFL]

How come the Tri-Rail commuter rail has so few stations, and only one line? On Long Island where I'm from, (and it seems a lot of people down here are from there) there is a lot of lines, and stations in every town. In DC their system is big even in the suburbs. You get the picture, why is it so small?

[Caleb Longstreet]

Originally Posted by isles20

How come the Tri-Rail commuter rail has so few stations, and only one line? On Long Island where I'm from, (and it seems a lot of people down here are from there) there is a lot of lines, and stations in every town. In DC their system is big even in the suburbs. You get the picture, why is it so small?

Welllll, much like longislanduh, they only need one route? You have an ocean 5 miles to the east, a swamp 10 miles to the west, where would you have them put it?

Besides, it's a freight line. I don't think the fine residents of west Broward, Dade, and West Palm Beach really want to see the box car double decker conversions go rattling by with the distinctive ding ding ding cadence, do you? Hard to make it look fashionable enough for Bernice, the new joiker to accept that as she sits out on her patio in a jersey knit in west boca, now is it?

If you think those yaks down there ***** now???

Anyway, Perhaps if you dressed it up in some gold lamais and baggy sweaters, threw a yellow, fading "sale" sign in the windows from yet another, failed boutique, you might get it through....that or a hydraulic facelift like Joanne Rivers...maybe...dahhhhlingsuh.....

[LIFL]

Originally Posted by Caleb Longstreet

Welllll, much like longislanduh, they only need one route? You have an ocean 5 miles to the east, a swamp 10 miles to the west, where would you have them put it?

Besides, it's a freight line. I don't think the fine residents of west Broward, Dade, and West Palm Beach really want to see the box car double decker conversions go rattling by with the distinctive ding ding ding cadence, do you? Hard to make it look fashionable enough for Bernice, the new joiker to accept that as she sits out on her patio in a jersey knit in west boca, now is it?

If you think those yaks down there ***** now???

Anyway, Perhaps if you dressed it up in some gold lamais and baggy sweaters, threw a yellow, fading "sale" sign in the windows from yet another, failed boutique, you might get it through....that or a hydraulic facelift like Joanne Rivers...maybe...dahhhhlingsuh.....

Maybe like in Davie up to the Mall, and where the Panthers play. I think Miami is one of the few places without service to its stadiums, including Dolphins stadium. Keep in mind my house in Syosset was like 2 minutes from the train station, and while annoying, it was somewhat tolerable.

[ruski]

it is what it is, I don't think there is a good explanation to it

[JacobMAX]

Probably poor planning by the people who made it. It isn't good at all. Not to mention the pretty limited schedule.

[Coconut1]

Tri-Rail was originally opened to ease congestion on 95 while there was major construction going on. The system was never meant to be permanent but due to higher than expected ridership it was kept after construction ended.

The line was originally supposed to be run on the FEC tracks but FEC refused to allow it, thus it went on CSX tracks.

Tri-Rail has suffered from inadequate funding which almost killed the entire line a few years ago which is why major expansion hasn't happened. Additionally, Tri-Rail is a commuter rail line and commuter rail isn't for intra-city rail which is why you won't see it go to large local destinations like malls, stadiums, etc.

[transitfan]

Originally Posted by Coconut1

Tri-Rail was originally opened to ease congestion on 95 while there was major construction going on. The system was never meant to be permanent but due to higher than expected ridership it was kept after construction ended.

The line was originally supposed to be run on the FEC tracks but FEC refused to allow it, thus it went on CSX tracks.

Ironically, now it seems that FEC might welcome commuter rail after all:

Fast Start plan for commuter trains on FEC promoted - South Florida Business Journal

I hope this goes through, as the FEC tracks are closer to the downtowns of Miami and Fort Lauderdale (and in the latter city, the station would literally be next door to the Broward County Transit Central (bus) Terminal. Also, the FEC track is in great shape for a freight railroad, FEC refurbished it some time ago with concrete ties (maybe welded rail as well). The freights pratically fly by on some segments.

[LIFL]

Originally Posted by Coconut1

Tri-Rail was originally opened to ease congestion on 95 while there was major construction going on. The system was never meant to be permanent but due to higher than expected ridership it was kept after construction ended.

The line was originally supposed to be run on the FEC tracks but FEC refused to allow it, thus it went on CSX tracks.

Tri-Rail has suffered from inadequate funding which almost killed the entire line a few years ago which is why major expansion hasn't happened. Additionally, Tri-Rail is a commuter rail line and commuter rail isn't for intra-city rail which is why you won't see it go to large local destinations like malls, stadiums, etc.

Thank you!

[Coconut1]

Originally Posted by transitfan

Ironically, now it seems that FEC might welcome commuter rail after all:

Fast Start plan for commuter trains on FEC promoted - South Florida Business Journal

I hope this goes through, as the FEC tracks are closer to the downtowns of Miami and Fort Lauderdale (and in the latter city, the station would literally be next door to the Broward County Transit Central (bus) Terminal. Also, the FEC track is in great shape for a freight railroad, FEC refurbished it some time ago with concrete ties (maybe welded rail as well). The freights pratically fly by on some segments.

It would be great to see, that's for sure. I know in Downtown Miami the tracks for FEC have all been upgraded. I'm not sure how the All Aboard Florida plan will work, but hopefully once trains start running on the tracks they won't stop. There have been so many decades wasted since those tracks have been vacant of passenger rail.

Originally Posted by isles20

Thank you!

You're welcome! There is a local advocacy group on local transit (more Miami based but they also cover FTL issues like the Wave) if you are interested, Transit Miami

[Magnolia Bloom]

The more riders it gets, the closer we are to expansion. I love Tri-Rail, but it works for me. It is limited, but I am amazed the empty seats during rush hour.

If you want expansion, contact your elected officials (just an email) and ride it when it works for you. Lots of opportunities now that it offers hourly service on weekends. Make it part of your weekend adventure!