Tri-Rail has a strong legal case to force the state to reverse the $27 million funding cut to the commuter line that threatens to put it out of business in less than two years, officials said Friday.
But taking the Florida Department of Transportation to court should be a last resort — negotiating with the state to restore funding is likely to yield results before Tri-Rail runs out of cash in July 2027, said David Dech, executive director for the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority, which operates Tri-Rail.
This year’s budget slashed the state’s contribution to Tri-Rail from $42 million a year to $15 million, a cut that represents FDOT’s interpretation of a Florida statute mandating funding of the commuter line that serves 4.4 million riders a year.
The board of the Regional Transportation Authority met Friday to discuss ways to respond to the cut, striking a note of optimism to counter the disturbing prediction for Tri-Rail’s future. Teresa Moore, the board’s general counsel, said the state is misreading the funding law and should be looking at the original $42 million as an annual requirement, not a one-time expense.
Board members painted the current crisis as an opportunity to streamline Tri-Rail’s operations, identify new funding sources, tap into highway express lane revenues, and find other ways to make Tri-Rail more immune to future economic threats.
“There are ways we can do this. We’re going to have to get creative,” said Marci Woodward, chairwoman of the transportation board and a member of the Palm Beach County Commission. “If we’re going to save this line, ask for everything.”
Board member Raquel Regalado, a Miami-Dade County commissioner, called for the development of a strategic plan to demonstrate a long-term commitment to steady revenue generation and fiscal responsibility.
Tri-Rail carries 4.4 million commuters a year to and from locations in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties.
County governments have been asked to chip in $10 million a year to Tri-Rail, but none of the three counties have indicated an ability to do so.
Rafael Olmeda can be reached at rolmeda@sunsentinel.com or 954-356-4457. Follow him on Threads.net/@rafael.olmeda.
Originally Published: