Tri-Rail is set to get new passenger cars and locomotives. Here are the latest details.

A flutist played to the crowd Monday as more than 50 well-dressed attendees gathered under a tent near the West Palm Beach Tri-Rail station, all of them there to celebrate plans to get new Tri-Rail coaches and locomotives.

It took on the air of festivity, with guests mingling, sipping on drinks and nibbling on fruit and pastries while celebrating the acquisition of $71.7 million in grant money.

Tri-Rail, South Florida’s rail line operated by South Florida Regional Transportation Authority, received the grant in May. Congresswoman Lois Frankel, who led the congressional delegation’s letter of support for the funds, said Tri-Rail was one of only six recipients nationwide to gain funds.

“This is first-time funding from a new rail vehicle replacement program, which was created to improve safety, service and customer experience,” Frankel said.

So, what can future commuters expect? The new coaches will feature updated interiors, stronger Wi-Fi and electronic messaging boards that will inform passengers of their current locations.

Since it opened in 1989, Frankel said Tri-Rail has transported 92 million people through Broward Miami, Dade and Palm Beach counties, and its ridership now generates more than $3.5 million annually.

The rail line owns 17 locomotives, 30 coaches and 18 cab cars. The money will mainly be used to replace 32% of its old passenger rail cars and locomotives, which is expected to be completed in about five years.

The federal funds come from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal, the aim of which included rebuilding the nation’s roads, bridges and rails.

“This is the largest grant we’ve gotten in the last 10 years, and we couldn’t be prouder,” said Raquel Regalado, a Miami-Dade County commissioner. “We have so many plans for how to bring Tri-Rail to the next generation.”

Commuters heading to downtown Miami may also soon expect an end to changing trains at a transfer station south of Hialeah and will instead be able to make one trip to the MiamiCentral station, an overdue plan that Tri-Rail signed agreements for in November.

Representatives from each county were present at Monday’s event, including Palm Beach County Commissioner Marci Woodward, who talked about Transit Village, which has been in the works for almost 20 years.

The new funds are sparking a refocus onto transportation improvements across the region, making it well-positioned to further progress and prioritize projects like Transit Village, which would include a mixed-use residential office and retail space and different modes of transportation including Tri-Rail, Amtrak and Greyhound bus service.

“Our work continues to be focused on having a reliable service today but to also have a place for the building of our future,” Woodward said. “I’m glad to see the transportation efforts in our region continues to be a priority for all of us.”