Tri-Rail first rolled out of the station 25 years ago | www.mypalmbeachpost.com

Eliot Kleinberg recalls the initial slow start to Tri-Rail back in 1989. In 2009, the transit rail line had about 50 million riders. It has always been held back by its western location and distance from most of the population and employment centers that are along the eastern part of the three county area. He notes the coming of transit service that we have talked about here many times that will link the eastern municipal centers by starting a passenger transit service on the FEC tracks. Click title for link to article.

A more practical route would have been along the Florida East Coast Railway tracks, which follow U.S. 1 and would have brought people to within walking distance of the many government buildings and businesses lining that road. But the FEC wouldn’t make its track available.
This past fall, officials unveiled a $47 million plan to connect the FEC and Tri-Rail tracks in West Palm Beach’s Northwood neighborhood. That will enable Tri-Rail’s extension to Jupiter and a downtown commuter rail along the East Coast.