Comments on: Tri-Rail’s One Year Reprieve

By: Gabriel Lopez-Bernal

Gabriel Lopez-Bernal — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 12:07:08 +0000

You’re not stupid Ellen, we often use silly acronyms thinking that everyone knows what they are…

TOD = Transit Oriented Development

Glad you asked…

By: Ellen

Ellen — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 02:09:21 +0000

Ok, I’m stupid. What does TOD stand for?

By: Steven

Steven — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 18:09:38 +0000

I think that the biggest thing that concerns me about the tri-rail situation is the constant push by some to move it to the FEC tracks. At least in their current allignment they have space (albeit only a little space in some places) to build more TOD. I have seen some of the plans to TOD along the current Tri Rail corridor and hope that they end up being successfull and further boost the successfull growth of TriRail.

On the topic of transfers from TriRail to Metrorail in Miami, I have to say that Miami-Dade County really should do something about their station there. I took TriRail recently up to Palm Beach County for business purposes and didn’t really notice the sad state of the Metrorail station until I was on my way back in the evening. Especially at night, the TriRail stations are clean and well lit, but you look to where the Metrorail station begins and it is dark, the roof is leaking, and its very cave-like. Getting on Metrorail from TriRail in the evening felt almost like decending (even though it is technically ascending since the platform is above you) into a level of hell in comparison with the clean state of the trirail station. Also, in addition to the dark, dank, leakiness, the escalators all moved in the opposite direction of where they needed to go and the elevator was broken. The elevator especially was a far cry from the talking elevators TriRail has at their stations.

By: Gabriel J. Lopez-Bernal

Gabriel J. Lopez-Bernal — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 17:13:42 +0000

Kyle - I’m aware of their TOD projects but I haven’t really gotten a good look at either one of them - I’ll see what I can find so that we can better address TOD’s in the region.

Given the increased demand for Tri-Rail’s service, I believe it is only natural that parking fees eventually be instituted ( I agree, you don’t want to scare off new riders, either.) However, a lack of parking facilities will - in the long run - hurt the system’s overall capacity. A minimal fee would provide a greater stream of cash which can be used to improve existing parking facilities or acquire new ones while encouraging commuters to utilize other forms of transportation (or Carpooling) to the stations…

We’re frustrated about the metropass situation too…It’s a disgrace…

By: Kyle

Kyle — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 13:26:18 +0000

Tri-Rail’s done an amazing job this last year, and I congratulate them. I ride Tri-Rail twice a week and it’s very pleasant and convenient.

On the topic of TOD. Tri-Rail already has two of such projects underway one at the Deerfield Beach Station and the other at the Boca Raton Station. If you do a google search for them you’ll find renderings. They’ll include affordable housing, retail, offices and a park area.

On the topic of parking, however, I must disagree with you. I think it’s best parking is kept free for the immediate future as Tri-Rail is continuing to grow. As such, many of these riders are new and just “testing the waters”. Having to pay for parking might detract a lot of riders. Either that, or you can have riders in the Employer Discount Program as well as Metropass holders not pay and the rest can pay a small parking fee.

One complaint you didn’t mention which I think is a major complaint is the fact that Miami’s Metropass doesn’t work on Tri-Rail. You have to two separate Metropasses and it’s complicated and annoying with transfers and everything. They should integrate Metropass into Tri-Rail.