Spotlight On: David Dech, Executive Director, South Florida Regional Transportation Authority/Tri-Rail
January 2025 — In South Florida, “the appetite for rail is strong,” David Dech, executive director of the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority/Tri-Rail, told Invest: in a recent interview. From the opening of MiamiCentral Station and efforts to enhance regional connectivity to progress on transit-oriented development and strategies to address funding and insurance challenges, Dech and his team are working to solve one of South Florida’s primary pain points — traffic congestion — through multimodal transportation. “Having both Brightline and Tri-Rail in South Florida gives people choices, and that’s unique,” he said.
What have been the key achievements for the organization over the last year?
You can’t talk about the past year without highlighting the opening of MiamiCentral Station. This long-term project, started years ago, culminated in January of 2024 with the grand opening of our 19th station, shared with Brightline. MiamiCentral is a beautiful, centrally located hub in downtown Miami, where we’ve introduced Tri-Rail express trains for the first time.
This station is a major milestone for us. Ridership continues to grow, and I believe MiamiCentral will become a key hub for connecting rail networks and advancing South Florida’s transportation infrastructure.
How is Tri-Rail enhancing regional connectivity and multimodal transportation?
Our mission is to serve as South Florida’s multimodal backbone. Tri-Rail runs parallel to I-95, and if you’re on the train, you can see the gridlock as you ride along. We work closely with partners like Palm Tran and Broward County Transit to ensure seamless connections for our riders. In Miami-Dade, Tri-Rail connects with Metrorail at the Miami Airport and MiamiCentral Stations.
One of MiamiCentral’s standout features is the pedestrian bridge that connects directly to the Government Center, linking passengers to the Metromover, Metrobus, and other services without stepping outside. This makes MiamiCentral a true hub, providing access to buses, the Metromover, Metrorail, Brightline, and our trains. It’s exciting to see the growth and improved accessibility this connectivity brings to the region.
How have first-mile and last-mile partnerships evolved, and are there any new initiatives on the horizon to enhance accessibility?
Over the past year, we’ve expanded first-mile and last-mile initiatives to all the three counties we serve in partnership with Uber, Lyft, and taxi companies, and we continue subsidizing trips to Palm Beach International Airport for Tri-Rail riders. These efforts have been well-received, though usage has plateaued.
Electric bikes and scooters have seen significant growth, with many riders choosing them to close the gap between stations and their destinations. We’re seeing about 1,000 bicycles on our trains daily, underscoring the need to accommodate these riders. Ideally, we’d implement bike and scooter share programs at stations to reduce the need to bring them onboard.
Ridership has surged to 15,000-15,500 daily riders, up from 11,000 three years ago. While this growth is exciting, it challenges us to balance space for bikes and seating. We’re committed to enhancing these programs and providing the best experience for our riders.
Are you seeing any trends in commuter behavior, and how is Tri-Rail adjusting services to meet growing demand?
I recently met with commuter rail CEOs nationwide, and many reported peak ridership on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, with lighter loads on Mondays and Fridays. Weekends are also becoming busier for them.
Our experience is different. Tri-Rail isn’t a typical commuter rail system — our three major airports drive steady ridership throughout the day. While peak hours remain busier, we maintain consistent ridership all day, including evenings and weekends.
Weekend ridership is particularly strong. Our $5 unlimited weekend fare has contributed to record-breaking ridership on some weekends, showing how we buck national trends thanks to our unique role in South Florida’s connectivity.
What is the progress on transit-oriented development at the Tri-rail stations?
I’m excited to share that the Boca Raton TOD project has made significant strides recently. Last week, it was awarded the first TOD loan from the federal government, and the City Council just passed the necessary amendments for the development.
The project will feature an eight-story building with retail on the ground floor, blending seamlessly with the station. Over the past month or so, we’ve seen real momentum, and I expect construction to start this year. This is a game-changer for us.
Unlike other stations where we have concepts and designs but no active projects, this development will showcase what a successful TOD can look like in our region. It’s not just about adding apartments; it’s about creating a mixed-use destination with retail, workforce housing, and affordable housing. This will draw people to live, dine, and socialize near the station, fostering a true transit-oriented community.
The Boca TOD is ideally located — it’s close to Palm Tran services and Florida Atlantic University. Once complete, I believe it will inspire similar developments at other stations. While some of our recent RFPs for TOD projects didn’t yield the innovative responses we hoped for, this example could set a new standard for what’s possible.
Miami and Brightline have done incredible work in this space, and we aim to carve out our own place in this TOD ecosystem. With continued support and interest from developers, I’m optimistic about the future.
What challenges are commuter rail systems facing, and how are you strategizing to navigate potential headwinds?
Our number one challenge is funding. Tri-Rail was never intended to be state-operated indefinitely. The idea was to build the system and eventually transition operational funding to the counties. We’re actively working on that transition, but progress varies depending on who you ask — some want to move faster, others slower.
Commuter rail is expensive, and finding sustainable funding sources is critical. We recently commissioned a study exploring dedicated funding options and strategies, such as transit-oriented developments, charging for parking, and other revenue streams. However, we’re hesitant to raise fares, as affordability is a priority.
Insurance costs are another major challenge, not just for us but for all railroads. We’re required to carry $320 million in excess liability insurance, a figure that will increase to over $400 million next year. Securing that coverage within the current market conditions is incredibly difficult and costly.
To address this, we’re working with brokers and advocating for legislative changes in Washington. For example, we’re proposing that the insurance cap increase every four years instead of five, with a year-long window to secure coverage. This would alleviate some of the pressure on the insurance market and help stabilize costs for railroads like ours.
Funding and insurance are the two biggest challenges we face, and we’re tackling them with both immediate strategies and long-term solutions.
How is Tri-Rail incorporating technology to improve the customer experience?
Railroads are notoriously slow to adopt change — our core technology has remained largely the same for over 200 years. While we’ve implemented positive train control (PTC) to enhance safety, our focus now is on customer-facing technologies.
For instance, we’re upgrading our Wi-Fi systems to improve connectivity for riders. Providing reliable, free Wi-Fi is a challenge due to the nature of moving trains and the need to switch between cell towers, but we’re exploring solutions like Starlink satellite technology.
We’ve also upgraded our public information systems at stations. Previously, we couldn’t even tell passengers which track their train would arrive on — now we can provide real-time updates, including track assignments and train statuses.
Another exciting development is our new regional app, currently in beta testing. This app will allow users to plan trips seamlessly across Tri-Rail, Palm Tran, Miami-Dade, and Broward County Transit. While ticket purchasing still requires separate steps, integrating these services into one platform is a big step forward.
Our goal is to make public transportation as user-friendly as possible. In a country where transit isn’t the cultural norm, we must eliminate barriers and create a seamless experience. With great regional partners like Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach County, and Brightline, we’re making progress toward that vision.
What are your top priorities for the next couple of years?
We have some big challenges ahead in the next couple of years, and it’s not an exaggeration to say these are pivotal times for SFRTA. One of our top priorities is reworking our agreement with the state of Florida, which defines our mission and operations. This contract governs what we do, and we need to ensure it’s updated to align with our long-term goals.
Another major focus is bundling our operational contracts. Right now, we have separate contracts for operations, maintenance, dispatch, tracks, and signals. We’re looking to consolidate these into one comprehensive agreement, which will streamline operations and improve efficiency.
Funding remains an immediate and pressing concern. We’re addressing this challenge while simultaneously making significant investments in our future, such as purchasing new rolling stock. Just this morning, we reviewed configurations for new coaches, including seating layouts, bathrooms, and bike racks. These updates will greatly enhance the rider experience.
We’re also collaborating with Brightline on the expansion of commuter rail along the Florida East Coast Railroad corridor. The funding for this project is already in place, and it’s happening. We’re partnering with them on aspects like rolling stock, and we’d love to play a larger role in the broader expansion.
Despite funding hurdles, the conversations I’m having with decision-makers — county officials, mayors, council members, and others — are incredibly positive. They’re not questioning the need for Tri-Rail. Instead, they’re talking about expansion: exploring service to areas like the VA hospital up north, Palm Beach Gardens, and other parts of southern Palm Beach County.
Brightline has also been a game-changer. It’s made rail exciting again, sparking interest among people who never considered taking a train before. Having both Brightline and Tri-Rail in South Florida gives people choices, and that’s unique. Everyone is now asking, “How can we expand rail service?” Whether it’s connecting to Doral, extending into new areas, or enhancing existing routes, the conversation is about growth, not shrinking services.
This momentum is exciting, but we have to figure out how to fund it sustainably. It’s a much better problem to have than questioning why we have a rail system. Here in South Florida, the appetite for rail is strong, and that’s something I’m incredibly optimistic about.
Images via South Florida Regional Transportation Authority/Tri-Rail
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