FAU, Boca Raton to Contribute Up to $1.3M to Keep ‘Tri-Rail Shuttle’ Bus Route Alive

A bus stop sign for Palm Tran Route 94, Sept. 2025. (Photo: Boca Daily News)

Boca Raton officials this week entered into an agreement with Palm Beach County that would keep an enhanced PalmTran bus route in place for up to three years after it was due to expire at the end of the month. The city will then be reimbursed 80 percent of the cost by Florida Atlantic University.

The city has committed to a one-year extension with two option years for Palm Tran Route 94, totaling $1,394,000 if all years are authorized. The outlay for the first year is $451,000, while years two and three would cost $464,500 and $478,500 respectively. The route runs between the Boca Raton Tri-Rail Station, the Florida Atlantic University (FAU) Campus, Palm Beach State College (PBSC) Campus, FAU Research and Development Park and Federal Highway.

Currently the service is being provided through an existing agreement that will expire Sept. 30. The route is colloquially known as the “Tri-Rail Shuttle.” The city, according to a memorandum from staff to the council, has a commitment from FAU to contribute 80 percent of the cost, plus a 2.5 percent administration fee, to operate the enhanced route based on fact that 80 percent of the route’s ridership is attributable to the college campus.