Majority of Tri-Rail Riders Still Happy with Service; Third CUTR On-board Survey Reveals 82 Percent Find Service Satisfactory

According to the most recent on-board survey of Tri-County Commuter Rail Authority (Tri-Rail) riders, approximately 82 percent are satisfied with the service. This is only slightly down from the 83 percent satisfaction rating obtained from the second survey of Tri-Rail riders, but lower than 91 percent satisfaction rating obtained from the first survey conducted in 1991.

Tri-Rail operates over a 67-mile route that connects the counties of Palm Beach, Broward, and Dade in southeast Florida. Currently, Tri-Rail operates 30 trains each weekday, 20 trains on Saturday, and 10 trains on Sunday, resulting in 180 total trips during a typical week of service.

Since service began in January 1989, Tri-Rail ridership has fluctuated. During its first year, the system consistently carried about 3,000 passengers each weekday. At the time of the first on-board survey, the system consistently carried about 7,600 passengers each weekday. As indicated in the second survey, average weekday system ridership increased to almost 9,100 passengers. As of May 1995, average weekday ridership was approximately 8,100.

The most recent on-board survey took place in September 1994 and is the third comprehensive survey of Tri-Rail's ridership conducted by CUTR; the first and second surveys took place in March 1991 and January 1993, respectively.

Similar to the first and second surveys, the third on-board survey was undertaken to achieve a number of objectives, including the identification of consumer preferences toward specific system characteristics and the compilation of relevant information necessary to better serve Tri-Rails market, among other objectives. For this survey, however, two additional questions were added that inquired as to whether or not respondents had changed their residential or employment location in order to take advantage of Tri-Rail service.

Survey Results

In accordance with the surveys objectives, specific data were gathered to determine demographic and travel behavior characteristics of passengers and their satisfaction with specific aspects of Tri-Rail service including on-time performance of trains, hours and days of operation, and cost of riding the train. Some of the findings from the most recent on-board survey include:

  • The majority of ridership is white/non-Hispanic; however, minority ridership increased from 30 percent in 1991 to 47 percent in 1994.
  • Low-income ridership increased to 38 percent in 1994, up from 22 percent in 1991.
  • A total of 38 percent of riders currently own one vehicle; however, the number of riders with zero household vehicles increased from 4 to 15 percent between 1991 and 1994.
  • The majority of Tri-Rail riders are employed (66 percent) or are students (17 percent).
  • A total of 53 percent of riders use the system four or more days per week, significantly down from 69 percent in 1991.
  • The predominant trip pair for Tri-Rail riders is home/work, with 29 percent of the trips going from home to work and 28 percent of the trips going from work to home.
  • The three main reasons indicated for riding Tri-Rail are: train is more convenient (29 percent) or "more economical (18 percent) and car is not available (17 percent).
  • If Tri-Rail were not available, most riders indicated that they would drive (57 percent); other alternatives indicated by riders are ride with someone (15 percent) and wouldn't make trip (16 percent).
  • The two stations that have the highest passenger activity of Tri-Rails 15 stations are the West Palm Beach and Metrorail stations.
  • For the system as a whole, 48 percent of access/egress trips are made by automobile, 38 percent by transit, and 14 percent by walking.
  • Systemwide, 9 percent of the riders changed their location of employment and 9 percent changed their location of residence to take advantage of Tri-Rail service.
  • A total of 75 percent of riders are very satisfied or satisfied with their trip travel time; 68 percent of riders are very satisfied or satisfied with the on-time performance; 74 percent of passengers are very satisfied or satisfied with the cost of riding Tri-Rail.

    • The results from this survey indicate that Tri-Rail is continuing to offer a convenient, economical, and appreciated transportation alternative to residents of southeast Florida. The survey information enables Tri-Rail to set priorities for system improvements that will meet riders needs and provides a rich database useful in understanding the impact of Tri-Rail.

    For more information, contact CUTR Research Associates Joel R. Rey at rey@cutr.usf.edu or Michael R. Baltes at baltes@cutr.usf.edu.




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