Tri-Rail Executive Director David Dech Resigns to Head Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District Amid Funding Uncertainty
David Dech has resigned as the Executive Director of the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA) to accept a new position as the President and General Manager of the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District. Dech, who took the helm at Tri-Rail in August 2022, will officially depart on March 16 to lead the operator of the South Shore Line in the Midwest. During his tenure in South Florida, Dech is credited with finalizing the complex effort to bring Tri-Rail trains into the downtown MiamiCentral station, a major connectivity milestone that had previously faced years of delays.
Despite these operational successes, the resignation arrives during a precarious financial period for the agency. Tri-Rail is currently grappling with a projected fiscal cliff, as federal COVID-19 relief funds are set to expire and state funding from the Florida Department of Transportation has been reduced. Without a new dedicated funding source, the service reportedly faces a deficit that could jeopardize operations by 2027. The timing of the departure has raised concerns among transit advocates, as Dech was actively involved in lobbying efforts in Tallahassee to secure the necessary $30 million in annual funding to bridge the budget gap. His sudden announcement leaves the authority searching for new leadership while simultaneously navigating these urgent legislative and budgetary hurdles.
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