Legislative Matter

Miami-Dade Legislative Item
File Number: 181706

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File Number: 181706

File Type: Resolution

Status: Deferred in Committee

Version: 0

Reference:

Control: Transportation and Public Works Committee

File Name: CHARGING A FARE FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ON METROMOVER

Introduced: 7/5/2018

Requester: NONE

Cost:

Final Action:

Agenda Date:

Agenda Item Number: 11A

Notes:

NOTE TO CAO: ITEM FILED IN COMMISSIONER'S FOLDER

Title:

RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR’S DESIGNEE TO EXAMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF (1) CHARGING A FARE FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SERVICE ON THE METROMOVER SYSTEM, INCLUDING ANY EXPANSION, AND (2) IMPLEMENTING A NEW MOBILE TICKETING FEATURE FOR THE METROMOVER FARE COLLECTION SYSTEM; TO CONSIDER IN SUCH FEASIBILITY STUDY THAT THE FARES COLLECTED FROM THE METROMOVER SYSTEM WOULD BE DEDICATED TO THE MAINTENANCE AND EXPANSION OF THE TRANSIT SYSTEM; AND TO PROVIDE A REPORT

Indexes:

METROMOVER

Sponsors:	Sally A. Heyman, Co-Prime Sponsor
	Barbara J. Jordan, Co-Prime Sponsor

Sunset Provision: No

Effective Date:

Expiration Date:

Registered Lobbyist:

None Listed

Legislative History
Acting Body	Date	Agenda Item	Action	Sent To	Due Date	Returned	Pass/Fail

Transportation and Public Works Committee	7/18/2018	2C	Deferred				P
REPORT:	Commissioner Heyman stated that while she was concerned about the promises made to the public in the Peoples’ Transportation Plan (PTP) and the fact that only one project had been completed in its entirety to date, she believed the metro-mover fee-free component needed to be reviewed and re-evaluated given the massive amounts of development which have taken place along the routes and requested the item be waived to the July 24, 2018 County Commission meeting if adopted. Commissioner Sosa argued that the PTP funds had not been utilized in the manner in which the public voted for them to be used and read into the record the ballot question posed to the public regarding the establishment of the fund and its intended uses. She indicated her intent to sponsor legislation which would allow the Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) to use funds from the PTP to cover operational costs and called for a workshop to develop a realistic transit plan. Commissioner Sosa expressed concerns regarding the fiscal impact to the most vulnerable users of the metro-mover system if a fee were to be implemented and the ongoing misuse of PTP funds by municipalities. She noted that while she could not support the item as presented, she would support an overall re-evaluation of the plan and review of alternative solutions. Commissioner Heyman argued that the foregoing proposed resolution was the first step to gathering information which could then be reviewed and discussed in a workshop, and agreed to defer the foregoing proposed resolution to no date certain. She requested Ms. Alice Bravo, Director, Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) begin compiling pertinent statistical information in preparation for a more in-depth discussion or workshop. Commissioner Higgins echoed the sentiments expressed by Commissioner Sosa regarding the impact of imposing a fee/increasing rates for metro-mover service on the working population and pointed out the elimination of the fare resulted in increased usage and ridership. In response to Commissioner Higgins’ question regarding the existing fare collection technology available to the public, Ms. Bravo explained the “easy pay” system currently in place and noted that the department would evaluate whether there were other lower cost alternatives to the existing “easy pay” system which could be implemented. Vice Chairman Moss stated that he would not support changes to the PTP without first putting the proposed changes to a public vote. There being no further questions or comments, the Committee proceeded to vote on the motion to defer the item to no date certain. Commissioner Sosa recognized the Citizens’ Independent Transportation Trust (CITT) for their role in designing the “half penny” logo to be placed on all County and municipal trolleys, buses and projects funded in whole or in part with PTP funds.

County Attorney	7/5/2018		Assigned	Annery Pulgar Alfonso		7/5/2018

County Attorney	7/5/2018		Referred	Transportation and Public Works Committee	7/18/2018

Legislative Text

TITLE
RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO EXAMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF (1) CHARGING A FARE FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SERVICE ON THE METROMOVER SYSTEM, INCLUDING ANY EXPANSION, AND (2) IMPLEMENTING A NEW MOBILE TICKETING FEATURE FOR THE METROMOVER FARE COLLECTION SYSTEM; TO CONSIDER IN SUCH FEASIBILITY STUDY THAT THE FARES COLLECTED FROM THE METROMOVER SYSTEM WOULD BE DEDICATED TO THE MAINTENANCE AND EXPANSION OF THE TRANSIT SYSTEM; AND TO PROVIDE A REPORT

BODY
WHEREAS, on June 7, 2016, this Board adopted Resolution No. R-523-16 endorsing the Strategic Miami Area Rapid Transit (�SMART�) Plan, an initiative to advance six Rapid Transit Corridors along with a network system of Bus Express Rapid Transit service in order to implement mass transit projects in the County, but did not identify a funding source for said corridors; and
WHEREAS, it is imperative for the betterment of this community and economic growth that the County seek innovative approaches for improving the existing public transit systems and to move forward with new public mass transit projects; and
WHEREAS, implementation of the SMART Plan, in whole or in part, has countywide significance; and
WHEREAS, the County transit system relies heavily on a yearly subsidy from the County general fund for operations and maintenance; and
WHEREAS, currently, while transit riders pay a fare to ride Metrorail and Metrobus, the Metromover system remains free to the rider, at a cost to the County budget of $13.5 million annually; and
WHEREAS, increased density in the downtown urban core has resulted in a push for reliance on means of transportation that are not dependent on personal vehicles, which in turn has resulted in increased ridership on the Metromover; and
WHEREAS, the total number of Metromover boardings for 2017 was 9,463,403; and
WHEREAS, recent ridership information reflects that the average Metromover ridership for March 2018 was 31,093 per weekday; and �
WHEREAS, charging a fare for the Metromover system will provide new funding for improvements to the existing transit system or will add to the funding plan for the development and implementation of the SMART Plan; and
WHEREAS, new technological advances make it less costly to implement a fare collection system for the Metromover system; and
WHEREAS, for example, Miami-Dade Transit�s EASY Pay mobile application allows users to purchase Metrorail or Metrobus fare tickets from a smartphone and use the smartphone to tap-in at the fare gates without the need for a paper ticket or plastic card; and
WHEREAS, these emerging technologies are allowing transit agencies to streamline the flow of passengers in a more efficient and cost effective manner; and
WHEREAS, a thorough review and analysis of charging a fare for the Metromover system has not been conducted in over a decade; and
WHEREAS, the feasibility of charging a fare for the Metromover system, while implementing these emerging technologies as part of the Metromover fare collection system, should be examined in order to maximize funding for improved and expanded transit services,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that:
Section 1. This Board directs the County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee to examine the feasibility of (1) charging a fare for public transportation service on the Metromover system, including any expansion, and (2) implementing a new mobile ticketing feature for the Metromover fare collection system, including the possibility of having a private vendor implement and operate said fare collection system. The feasibility study should consider that the fares collected from the Metromover system would be exclusively dedicated to the maintenance and expansion of the transit system.
Section 2. The County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee is further directed to prepare a report regarding the feasibility study referenced in Section 1 above within 90 days of the effective date of this resolution and to place the report on an agenda of this Board pursuant to Ordinance No. 14-65.