Florida and Miami’s Tri-Rail
In Florida, the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority reported that Tri-Rail exceeded 4.5 million passenger journeys during calendar year 2025, the highest annual figure recorded by the system. This follows a similar result in the 2024–2025 fiscal year and surpasses the previous peak reached in 2019. Tri-Rail closed 2024 with its second-highest annual ridership, reflecting sustained demand from daily commuters as well as leisure and seasonal travellers across Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties. The operator continues to position the network as a core element of regional mobility, linking rail with local bus and multimodal connections. Preparations are under way to support large-scale events in Miami-Dade County during 2026, including international sporting fixtures.
Minnesota and Minneapolis’ Northstar Commuter Rail
In the Midwest, Metro Transit confirmed that Northstar Commuter Rail services between Minneapolis and Big Lake will cease regular operations on 4 January 2026. The final scheduled use of the rail service will include special operations for the last Minnesota Vikings regular-season home game of the 2025 season. From 5 January 2026, the corridor will be served by an expanded bus network, increasing weekly trips from around 40 rail services to nearly 400 bus services. The revised offering is intended to provide higher frequency and greater flexibility along the corridor, with lower operating costs compared with the existing rail operation.
Massachussetts and Boston’s MBTA
On the US East Coast, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority advanced its procurement process for the next operator of its Commuter Rail network. Following a Request for Qualifications, three teams have been shortlisted and issued a Request for Proposals for the Regional Rail Operating Contract. The candidates include a joint venture between Keolis America and Alstom Transport USA, a consortium led by Alternate Concepts, TransitAmerica Services and RATP Dev, and a partnership between Transdev North America and Transport UK Holdings. The current operating agreement expires in June 2027. The future contract will cover network operations, maintenance, parking services and the introduction of battery-electric multiple unit services on the Fairmount Line. The MBTA plans to complete competitive dialogue and evaluation during 2026, with a preferred bidder expected by the end of the year to allow time for mobilisation ahead of the contract transition.
