More than 250 past and present members of the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA)/Tri-Rail’s Governing Board, business and community leaders, and elected officials participated in recent ceremonies commemorating the 25th anniversary of Tri-Rail commuter rail in Pompano Beach, FL.

In her remarks, Therese McMillan, FTA deputy administrator, looked back at Tri-Rail’s launch on Jan. 9, 1989, when “a commuter rail line was not the obvious solution” to ease traffic congestion during construction on I-95.

“Tri-Rail was meant to be a temporary diversion until people could get back into their cars where they belonged,” she said. “But a funny thing happened on the way to the carpool lane: people liked Tri-Rail. They liked not sitting in traffic. They liked saving money.”

McMillan pointed out that in the years since the line opened, commuter rail has become “one of the key solutions cities consider as they grapple with congestion and growth. At the FTA, we’re proud to have worked shoulder to shoulder with you to make Tri-Rail a success.”

The celebration also was among the last major events for SFRTA Executive Director Joseph Giulietti, who is leaving the agency after 15 years to become president of MTA Metro-North Railroad.

Tri-Rail has carried more than 70 million passengers since its inception and now averages more than 15,000 riders a day.

Departing SFRTA Executive Director Joseph Giulietti with former board members Wendy Larsen, left, and Lori Parrish.