Mission Statement
To provide a seamless, efficient, intermodal transportation system that enhances mobility throughout our neighborhoods and region, and expedites domestic and international commerce.
Airport
South Terminal
In 2007, Miami International Airport’s (MIA) new South Terminal opened. The 1.7-million-square-foot terminal includes 28 gates and a new federal inspection service area that can process up to 2,000 international business passengers an hour. The terminal is home to 19 international and domestic airlines, and houses a number of dining, retail and duty free shops.
North Terminal
The opening of the new south terminal at MIA paves the way for accelerated construction of the airport’s North Terminal – the biggest public works project in Miami-Dade County history. When completed, the North Terminal will be twice the size of the South Terminal, housing 42 gates, an automated people mover, and a state-of-the-art baggage system. The accelerated construction schedule will save an estimated $200 million. Completion is scheduled for 2011.
Operations
MIA is emerging as a leader in customer service. It became the first airport in the United States to use the prestigious Disney Institute to specially train all of its executives and terminal workers in customer service. A customized training program for all 35,000 airport employees is also underway.
MIA now also offers 24-hour valet parking service. Travelers can quickly and conveniently drop off their vehicle prior to departure with a professionally trained parking attendant and have their vehicle ready for pick-up upon return.
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Seaport
The Dante B. Fascell Port of Miami-Dade increased cruise business, enhanced security and continued with an aggressive expansion plan in 2007. The seaport remains one of the most popular places in the U.S. to embark on a cruise. Passenger numbers were up 1.5% in 2007, with more than 3.7 million passenger boardings.
Two new cruise terminals became fully operational in 2007, as did a 16-gate cargo security complex. A framework was also agreed upon between the Florida Department of Transportation, Miami-Dade County and the City of Miami to advance a Port Tunnel project which will improve access to the seaport and alleviate traffic congestion in Downtown Miami.
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Metrorail/Metromover
The County continues to make strides in the expansion and improvement of Metrorail. The final design for the 2.4 mile corridor which will connect the Earlington Heights Metrorail Station to the Miami Intermodal Center (at Miami International Airport) is nearly complete. Planning, environmental and funding hurdles were also crossed as the County seeks to extend Metrorail north to the County line and south to Florida International University.
Seventeen Metromover vehicles were refurbished, and 12 new state-of-the-art Metromover vehicles will be added to the system in 2008. New Transit Director, Harpal Kapoor, will oversee the projects.
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Train Tracker
Miami-Dade Transit launched Train Tracker Technology in 2007. It allows transit riders to track next train arrivals from their personal computers and mobile devices. The Government Center Metrorail station also became the first of several stations to receive an electronic sign displaying next train arrival time information.
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Bus Service Improvements
Bus ridership in Miami-Dade County has increased 27% since the approval of the People’s Transportation Plan (PTP) in 2002, and reliability reached a 20-year high in 2007. Twenty-three new routes were added and more than 300 improvements made to the more than 100 routes.
Busses began running along the completed South Miami-Dade Busway along US1 which extends from the Dadeland South Metrorail Station to SW 344th Street in Florida City. Busses also began riding on the shoulders of the Don Shula and Snapper Creek Expressways to bypass congestion, improve on-time performance and encourage commuters to use public transportation.
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Visitor Travel
Miami-Dade Transit (MDT) introduced 7-day transit pass for visitors which allows easy, unlimited access to public transit services. The pass, which costs $19, includes a map and directions to many of Miami-Dade County’s tourist attractions. The pass is targeted to the more than 10 million visitors who stay an average of 3-4 days in Miami-Dade County.
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Senior Citizen Travel
In 2007, MDT saw its Golden Passport Program grow by 20,000 seniors. Now, more than 170,000 seniors, many of whom live on fixed incomes, participate in the program which provides free bus and Metrorail ridership to those 65 years-old and older.
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Road improvements
While working with the Citizens Independent Transportation Trust, the County made significant strides in 2007 with the development of a public transportation network. Major resurfacing, road widening and/or drainage projects were completed along several major corridors, including NW 22nd Avenue, NW 62nd Avenue, Miami Gardens Drive and Grand Avenue in South Miami-Dade. Additionally, more than $160 million in PTP funds have been distributed to 31 municipalities since 2002 to improve transportation within their communities.
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Traffic Signal Synchronization
The Public Works Department is moving to aggressively synchronize all traffic signals in Miami-Dade County to improve traffic flow. To date, 25% of the County’s 2,650 traffic signals are online and benefiting from Advanced Traffic Management System software. An additional 60 signals are brought online each month.
Motorists are also benefiting from nearly 400 illuminated signs installed at major intersections throughout the County, increasing road safety during night driving. Another 500 signs will be installed in 2008.
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Congestion Relief Campaign
Working with private and public sector partners, the County launched the Meeting Our Vehicular Needs, or MOVN Initiative, a two-part awareness and education campaign aimed at addressing traffic control problems. New signage and enforcement throughout the County encourages drivers to keep intersections clear at all times and move vehicles involved in minor accidents off the road when possible.
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