Increase in Tri-Rail Riders Threaten Mass Transit Accident in Boca Raton
The Tri-Rail commuter rail station in Palm Beach County on Yomato Road, or the Boca Raton Station, is causing come safety concerns for riders. The station was first opened in January of 1989 and was rebuilt in 2005 because of Hurricane Wilma. This is the southernmost Tri-Rail station in Palm Beach County and offers plenty of parking for gas-saving riders.
According to the Sun Sentinel, the rider traffic on the Tri-Rail has increased by more than 10 percent every month since the beginning of 2011. Statistics illustrate that there are nearly 15,000 people who ride it on weekdays. Many are worried that the increase in rider traffic is causing an increase in the risks for a serious mass transit accident in Boca Raton.
Our Boca Raton accident attorneys understand that critics of the station have said that there's only "standing room only at times on weekdays." Waiting areas, aisles, cars and doors are crowded with the increase in passengers. Some riders even bring bicycles with them and take up even more room in the cars. While the number of riders was significantly higher when gas was pushing $4 a gallon, the current increase is wearing and tearing on the rail line's aging cars. Break downs are happening more often, leaving fewer cars for more passengers to ride. During rush hour it's tough to even find a seat, leaving the crowded station and train cars with standing passengers.
Rail officials are expecting the number of passengers to increase even more next year. In 2012, the city plans to begin a three-year construction project between Golden Glades and Fort Lauderdale on Interstate 95. The construction is expected to send more travelers to the Tri-Rail to avoid traffic delays on I-95
"I think some of the people who defected to the express buses will be back on the train once they realize that they're going to be stuck in traffic like everyone else," said Bonnie Arnold, a spokeswoman for the Tri-Rail.
Many trains are running with two cars instead of their usual three, which is a large contributor the crowded areas. This is expected to continue through the middle of 2012, as that's when more cars and locomotives are expected to be added.
Cars aren't only breaking down though. There was that accident that happened in the beginning of November in which a train hit a car when every seat on that southbound train was filled. Riders of the train say that there were a couple dozen people standing in the aisles when it happened and another 10 bicycles on board.
Riders complain that it's tough to ride when there are so many bikes on board, too.
One weekday rider says that he fears an accident. He says that when there are so many passengers and bicycles on the train, the doors are blocked and exits are difficult.
Another who is a flight attendant who works out of Fort Lauderdale says that there are racks for the luggage and bikes on the lower levels of the cars. Riders don't store their bicycles there like they should and rail officials aren't enforcing the rules for stowing these items.
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