Tri-Rail upgrades shuttle buses

They include Wi-Fi and AC

The Tri-Rail shuttle bus fleet is getting an upgrade.

Thirty new “commuter connectors” are being introduced to the free system that shuttles passengers between train stations, airports and downtown areas in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade Starting on Sept. 5th, 10 of Tri-Rail’s 18 stations will be served by buses that have dirt resistant seats, bigger baggage racks and improved air conditioning. There will be Wi-Fi and real-time tracking built into the Tri-Rail app so riders know when the next ride will arrive.

The 35-foot buses will also “kneel” so wheelchairs and walkers can access the bus by retractable ramps.

“People have com- plained in the past that some of the vehicles didn’t have air conditioning,” said Mikel Oglesby, deputy executive director of the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority. “Well, that’s no longer a problem.”

There will be five internal and two external video cameras with microphones on each bus to monitor driver performance and rider behavior, he said.

“Some of the complaints were cleanliness of the vecounties. hicle, attitude of the driver and just the overall service,” he said. “We’ve addressed this.”

Drivers will receive additional training for bus operations and customer relations, he said.

One of the new buses, with a Tri-Rail logo and color scheme, was unveiled Friday following the transportation authority’s monthly meeting in Pompano Beach. The buses will be phased into service, Oglesby said.