Commissioner Monestime spearheads $10 million emergency fund for taxicab, limousine and jitney drivers
MIAMI-DADE – The Miami-Dade County Commission on July 27 approved legislation sponsored by Commissioner Jean Monestime to create a $10 million emergency fund for taxicab, limousine and jitney drivers, using funds from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
“I do not want us to leave any stone unturned. The COVID-19 crisis has hit taxi and jitney drivers extremely hard as passenger travel has dried up. Meanwhile, despite the reduction in income, drivers still must meet operating costs such as insurance and vehicle maintenance,” Commissioner Monestime said.
The legislation directs the County Mayor to report back within 30 days detailing the status of development of the grant program.
There are nearly 3,500 registered taxicab and jitney drivers in Miami-Dade County.