Transit Project Definition

A transit project is defined as bus service, rail service and related amenities including bus pull-out bays, bus shelters, bus benches, and bus stops. All expenses associated with the operation and maintenance of a transit project are eligible. Consultant services for transit planning and other related transit administrative expenses are also eligible.

Transit Service Definition

A municipal circulator may operate as a fixed route service. This refers to a transit service that is regularly scheduled and operates over a set route. The County Code was amended to allow for on-demand transportation in certain circumstances. The use of surtax proceeds for on-demand service must be authorized by an Interlocal Agreement (ILA) with Miami-Dade County approved by the Board of County Commissioners. The ILA must require compliance with applicable safety, mechanical, and vehicular standards and must include:

• Implementation plan
• Fare structure for the service
• Compliance with County, State, and Federal regulations

Use of surtax proceeds for on-demand service is limited to trips no longer than five (5) miles. Each municipality must submit an annual report to Miami-Dade County describing its implementation of the on-demand transportation service.

Sidewalks

The installation, repair, or maintenance of sidewalks may be funded by the transportation portion of Charter County Transportation System Surtax Fund proceeds under the following conditions:

• Sidewalks constructed as part of a larger road project
• Stand-alone sidewalk projects that are part of an urban mobility network

Sidewalks may also be funded by the 20% transit portion when:

• They are part of a bus stop or bus shelter improvement project
• They provide ADA accessibility to bus shelters or bus stops

All sidewalk projects must comply with ADA guidelines and applicable standards. Recreational sidewalks in parks are generally not eligible.

Personnel and Force Account

Personnel and force account expenditures are eligible. Allocation of expenses must be reasonable and reflect the percentage of time spent on People’s Transportation Plan (PTP) projects. Direct personnel expenses must be properly documented.

Landscaping and Irrigation

Landscaping and irrigation are not acceptable uses of surtax funds unless they are part of a roadway improvement project. If trees must be removed during construction or maintenance of a road or bridge, surtax funds may be used for restoration or replanting. Landscaping projects for beautification alone are not eligible.

Vanpools

Vanpools are generally not an eligible use of surtax funds because they are not considered part of a bus or rapid transit system. Exceptions may be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Street Furniture

Benches and shelters located at bus stops are eligible expenditures. Street furniture not located at bus stops, such as benches along parks or public facilities, is not eligible.

Bike Paths

Bike paths may be funded by the transportation portion of surtax proceeds when:

• They are constructed as part of a larger road project
• They are stand-alone projects that support urban mobility

Projects must meet ADA guidelines and applicable standards. Recreational bike paths in parks are generally not eligible.

Schools and School Buses

School buses and related amenities are not eligible uses of surtax funds under Florida Statute 316.003. However, municipal circulator routes may stop at schools, and shelters at those transit stops are eligible.

Maintenance of Traffic Infrastructure

Maintenance of benches located at transit stops is eligible. Maintenance of traffic light mast arms and roadway lighting is also considered an acceptable transportation expense.

Street Signage

If a municipality has assumed responsibility for street signs through an interlocal agreement with the County, the purchase, installation, and maintenance of those signs are eligible transportation expenses. Entrance feature signs (e.g., “Welcome to…”) are not eligible.

Equipment

Maintenance equipment used for roadway repair and maintenance is eligible. Examples include:

• Street sweepers
• Backhoes
• Dump trucks
• Asphalt spreaders
• Bulldozers and excavators
• Asphalt milling machines

Traffic Cameras

Traffic cameras used to monitor and manage traffic conditions are eligible. Cameras used for enforcement purposes (such as red-light cameras) are not eligible.

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

EV charging stations may be eligible if they directly support an existing transit or on-demand transportation system such as:

• Park & Ride facilities
• Multimodal transit centers

Installations for general public use without a transit connection are not eligible.

Trolley Wraps

Trolley wraps promoting causes (such as awareness campaigns) are not considered an eligible use of surtax funds.