Miami-Dade Department of Transportation and Public Works recognized for excellence in protecting rideshare consumers

The National Association of Counties (NACo) has recognized the Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) for the department’s Interjurisdictional Enforcement of Unlicensed Transportation Providers program. The primary goal of this program is to address the alarming increase of unlicensed for-hire drivers who target unsuspecting passengers at major tourist locations in Miami-Dade County such the Miami International Airport, PortMiami, and hotels.

"I am incredibly proud that Miami-Dade County has been recognized for our leadership in protecting rideshare passengers,” Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “This recognition is a direct result of the dedication, expertise, and teamwork of our Department of Transportation and Public Works staff, who work tirelessly to keep residents and visitors safe at our airports, seaport, and tourist destinations. Their commitment to excellence is a shining example of how our County team delivers results that truly matter for the people we serve."

The rise of unlicensed for-hire vehicles in recent years, particularly those operating outside rideshare platforms like Uber and Lyft, led to increased complaints from the for-hire industry, local municipalities, and government officials. These unlicensed vehicles pose safety risks, compete unfairly with licensed providers, and create challenges for enforcement agencies. As a result, DTPW’s Passenger Transportation Regulatory Division (PTRD) established interlocal agreements between Miami-Dade County and participating municipalities that allow local law enforcement agencies to enforce for-hire regulations in their respective jurisdictions using county rules.

Following these interlocal agreements, PTRD developed a comprehensive training curriculum for local police officers. Since 2018, over 23 training seminars have been conducted for 258 police officers ensuring a consistent enforcement approach across the county. Also, since 2018, the Department has executed more than 185 joint enforcement operations, resulting in the impoundment of over 447 unlicensed for-hire vehicles.

Working together with local municipalities and law enforcement agencies, the program ensures that for-hire and rideshare drivers provide safe transportation for the County’s residents and visitors by training police officers to enforce county for-hire regulations. Since 2020, the program has successfully trained over 159 police officers, conducted 92 joint enforcement operations, and impounded 293 unlicensed vehicles, resulting in safer, more reliable transportation throughout the county.

“This NACo recognition reflects our commitment to innovation, excellence, and public service, and we will continue to push the boundaries to ensure our community remains a leader in effective and efficient governance,” said Stacy L. Miller, P.E., DTPW Director and CEO. “Congratulations the entire staff from our Passenger Transportation Regulatory Division for not only continuing to look out for the wellbeing of ride-share consumers but for also winning this prestigious NACo Award.”

The National Association of Counties (NACo) represents the interests of America’s counties, serving as a powerful voice in federal policymaking and a vital part of our nation’s intergovernmental system. With a membership of thousands of county-elected and professional officials, NACo brings together leaders from across the country to shape national policies, share best practices and strengthen counties for a stronger America. NACo is dedicated to creating opportunities for counties to lead, learn, and advocate, ensuring that counties remain strong and capable of meeting the needs of their residents.