The Board of the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority unanimously voted Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, to award Veolia Transportation the three remaining option years for the company's Tri-Rail contract. The contract now extends through June 2017.
The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA) originally awarded the operations contract for the Tri-Rail system to Lombard, Ill.-based Veolia Transportation in early 2007.
At the board meeting Thursday, United Transportation Union Local Chairman Andy D'Egidio addressed the Board expressing labor's support of awarding the extension to Veolia based on the collaborative relationship between Veolia and the union that represents Veolia employees.
Veolia Transportation Rail Division CEO Ron Hartman said, "We are excited to have the opportunity to operate the Tri-Rail service for three more years. I am proud of the performance of our local team and of our partnership both with the union and with SFRTA as Executive Director Joe Giulietti and his team have worked to consistently provide better mobility solutions in the three-county region. SFRTA and the citizens and visitors in south Florida have our ongoing commitment to provide top quality service, bring innovation, and seek continual improvement."
Tri-Rail, which began operations in January 1989 stretches 72 miles along the southeast Florida coast between West Palm Beach and Miami, serving 18 stations, including Fort Lauderdale. Plans call for extending Tri-Rail service north to Jupiter, Fla., on existing right-of-way owned by Florida East Coast Railway.