What Tri-Rail does

Tri-Rail is a 37-year-old commuter rail system operated by the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA), a government transportation authority serving Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties in South Florida. Founded on January 9, 1989, the service operates across 19 stations spanning a tri-county corridor from Mangonia Park to MiamiCentral, carrying a record 4.5 million passengers annually. Tri-Rail connects South Florida residents and visitors to employment centers, Miami International Airport, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, colleges, and leisure destinations, with daily commuters as the primary customer segment, supplemented by students, airport travelers, and leisure travelers.

The core offering is regional rail transportation supported by digital infrastructure including the Train Tracker (real-time train monitoring via etaspot.net), an online Fare Calculator, Schedule Planning tool with Metrorail transfer information, the VIP Alerts email notification program, and the SoFloGO multimodal mobile app launched in August 2025. SoFloGO integrates Tri-Rail with Broward County Transit, Palm Tran, and Miami-Dade's Metrorail/Metrobus/Metromover services into a single platform for unified trip planning and mobile ticketing, funded by the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization. The fleet modernization program includes seven new Siemens Mobility locomotives arriving by 2029, supported in part by federal grant pursuit.

Tri-Rail's revenue model combines passenger fares (average $3.24 collected per ride) with operational subsidies from the Florida Department of Transportation through the Florida Rail Enterprise. The system previously received $42-62 million annually in state funding; in February 2026 the board approved a 10% fare increase—the first adjustment since 2019—to offset a $27 million funding cut. The railroad is also pursuing federal grant funding for fleet modernization and faced a critical fiscal situation when state subsidies were reduced to $15 million in FY2025-26, with a proposed restoration to $60 million in the FY2026-27 state budget. Customer acquisition occurs at physical stations and through the SoFloGO app, with no private equity or venture capital ownership; control rests with the three counties through the SFRTA governing board chaired by Marci Woodward.

Name

Tri-Rail

Legal name

South Florida Regional Transportation Authority

Website

https://tri-rail.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Tri-Rail is a South Florida commuter rail system operated by the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority, serving 19 stations across Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties. It carries over 4.5 million annual passengers, connecting commuters, students, and travelers to regional employment centers, airports, and educational institutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Pompano Beach

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Passenger Fares: Collects fares from passengers using the rail service. Average fare collected is $3.24, significantly below competitor Brightline's double-digit fares. Fare types include one-way, round-trip, 12-trip passes, and monthly passes.
2. State Funding (Florida Rail Enterprise): Primary operational funding from Florida Department of Transportation through Florida Rail Enterprise. Previously received up to $42-62 million annually; reduced to $15 million starting fiscal year 2025-26; proposed restoration to $60 million for fiscal year 2026-27.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Tri-Rail provides commuter passenger rail transportation across 19 stations connecting Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties in South Florida. The service operates multiple daily train routes including P600-P690 series and X301/X302 express trains, offering one-way, round-trip, 12-trip, and monthly fare products. Supporting tools include a real-time Train Tracker, online Fare Calculator, schedule planner with Metrorail transfer information, and the SoFloGO multimodal mobile app integrating Tri-Rail with regional transit partners.

Product overview

Tri-Rail, operated by the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA), is a commuter rail system offering a unified transportation platform with multiple integrated products. The core product is the Tri-Rail Commuter Rail Service operating 19 stations across Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties. This core service is supported by the SoFloGO Mobile App (a collaborative multi-agency transit integration launched in August 2025), the Train Tracker for real-time train monitoring, a Fare Calculator for trip cost estimation, and the VIP Alerts Program for service notifications. Additional fare products include One-Way, Round-Trip, 12-Trip passes, and Monthly/Regional Monthly Passes, while Express Train Service (X301/X302) provides non-stop connectivity between MiamiCentral and Metrorail Transfer stations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Tri-Rail Commuter Rail Service Core commuter rail passenger service operated by SFRTA, providing regional transportation across 19 stations spanning Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties in South Florida. The service carries daily commuters, airport travelers, students, and leisure travelers through multiple train routes including P600-P690 series and X301/X302 express trains.
• SoFloGO Mobile App Multimodal mobile trip planning application that integrates Tri-Rail with Broward County Transit, Palm Tran, and Miami-Dade DTPW services (Metrorail, Metrobus, Metromover). Provides trip planning, real-time arrival updates, mobile ticketing, and accessibility features for South Florida transit users.
• Express Train Service (X301/X302) Express train service connecting MiamiCentral Station directly to Metrorail Transfer Station without intermediate transfers, providing faster transit between the two major hub stations for passengers traveling end-to-end.
• VIP Alerts Program Subscription-based email notification service delivering service interruptions, special events, and operational updates directly to subscriber inboxes. Subscribers can target specific stations and train numbers (P600-P689 series and X301/X302) and choose daily, weekday-only, or weekend-only delivery cadence.

Quantifiable outcome

• Record ridership of 4.5 million passengers last year
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Broward County Transit (BCT)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 August 2025SoFloGO mobile app partnership integrating Broward County Transit services with Tri-Rail into a unified multimodal platform providing trip planning, real-time arrivals, and mobile ticketing across South Florida transit systems.
• Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 August 2025SoFloGO app integration bringing Tri-Rail together with DTPW services including Metrorail, Metrobus, and Metromover into a single platform for seamless South Florida transit navigation.
• Palm TrancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 August 2025SoFloGO mobile app integration incorporating Palm Tran's bus services to complete the multimodal South Florida transit ecosystem alongside Tri-Rail.
• Siemens MobilitymajorOthers · 1 January 2025Tri-Rail is pursuing federal grants to fund seven new Siemens Mobility locomotives arriving by 2029, representing significant fleet modernization.
• Palm Beach Transportation Planning Agency (TPA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025TPA committed approximately $59 million to transit projects including shelters, electric buses, and new Tri-Rail vehicles, leveraging federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• SunRail: SunRail is Florida's other commuter rail system, operating in the Orlando metropolitan area. It is the most directly comparable peer: also a publicly funded commuter rail operated by a regional transportation authority, serving Central Florida with similar fare structure, station-spoke model, and state-subsidy dependence. Useful benchmark for funding, ridership, and fleet modernization patterns.
• Brightline: Brightline is a privately-owned higher-speed intercity rail operator serving Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and Orlando. It overlaps with Tri-Rail's tri-county corridor and competes for airport and intercity travelers, but at premium fares (double-digit) versus Tri-Rail's $3.24 average. Brightline serves as both a direct competitor and a proxy for premium pricing potential in the corridor.
• Caltrain: Caltrain is a commuter rail line on the San Francisco Peninsula, jointly governed by three counties. It is one of the most directly comparable U.S. commuter rail systems in terms of multi-county governance structure, station-spoke service model, and dependency on a mix of farebox, county, and state/federal funding. Caltrain's recent electrification provides a benchmark for fleet modernization.
• Coaster (NCTD): North County Transit District's Coaster is a commuter rail service between San Diego and Oceanside, California. Comparable as a mid-sized regional commuter rail operated by a public transportation authority, serving multiple stations along a coastal corridor with similar reliance on state and federal subsidies.

Regional players

• Miami-Dade Metrorail: Miami-Dade's Metrorail is a heavy rail rapid transit system within Miami-Dade County. It connects with Tri-Rail at the Metrorail Transfer Station and is integrated via the SoFloGO app. Comparable as a publicly-funded urban rail operator in the same region, though it focuses on intra-county rapid transit rather than regional commuter rail.

Broad incumbents

• Metro-North Railroad: Metro-North is a large commuter rail system serving the New York metropolitan area. Operated by the MTA, it provides a benchmark for commuter rail operating scale, fare products, peak/off-peak pricing, and integration with connecting transit services. Comparable on commuter rail fundamentals though substantially larger in scale.
• Long Island Rail Road: LIRR is the largest commuter rail system in North America, operating between Long Island and Manhattan. Like Tri-Rail it is publicly operated and serves commuter markets with multiple fare products including monthly passes. A scale benchmark for commuter rail operations, though operating in a much denser market.
• Amtrak: Amtrak is the national passenger rail operator providing intercity service in the U.S. While focused on long-distance and high-speed corridors rather than regional commuter rail, Amtrak serves some of the same South Florida stations and provides a benchmark for federal funding mechanisms (including FTA grants that Tri-Rail has received).
• NJ Transit: NJ Transit operates one of the largest commuter rail networks in the U.S., providing rail and bus service across New Jersey and into New York and Philadelphia. Useful peer for state-subsidized commuter rail economics, fare structures including monthly passes, and multimodal integration with bus services.
• SEPTA: SEPTA operates commuter rail, subway, bus, and trolley services in the Philadelphia metropolitan area, including the tri-county Philadelphia region. Comparable as a multi-modal transit authority operating regional rail and connecting bus services, providing a benchmark for integrated fare products and regional coordination.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Tri_Rail
• Facebookfacebook.com/trirail

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tri-Rail