[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6562028,"mediaKeyId","3281591-e2334afaccb63b2de23122d8a77791ed","parentId",3281591,"title","Committee discusses transit budget, asks for Metro Connect cost and ridership data; fare recovery at 10%","audioSeconds",1714,"startMs",1180000,"endMs",2894000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3281591-e2334afaccb63b2de23122d8a77791ed&start=1180&end=2894","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3281591-e2334afaccb63b2de23122d8a77791ed/thumbnail_1180000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6562028/Miami-Dade-County/Florida/Committee-discusses-transit-budget-asks-for-Metro-Connect-cost-and-ridership-data-fare-recovery-at-10","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6562028-fc50668ae0debef8160fbe86aa33c275/orig.mp4?Expires=1770987633&Signature=GtHDEAulJQxHzCVU75CjRJO-TaSp-UdR4jwLJttUDnzVWmyTmPrqhCMYBosgATOQ7G1bdIvAVCQx-njBqzXTBmykdMb2kkxZZk7ubG9TKv82zTKJmnmHHuJNw2qvNV9InBD5f96km2pKwUKZk~XWzvJaVkjmeeOrLADD73QOK3UJGyzFhXw3qA1HCqQEB6ms3oXrMxFNA9BGiVAvNbKKCNokxhVWj-ny0BA0Mecgi1rn7YZRyyaycw9EVET4ldlIaBQGlLntqYG54W6PI1qfyczdug56RYRrvapaUpA4kQQxw5rqQRr1TtC2f3r2UAa~tq4sdn4etmDHhJ5C--tqlw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Miami-Dade County","date","2025-05-13T00:00:00Z","article","Miami‑Dade County commissioners on the Transportation Committee spent an extended portion of the meeting debating transit priorities as the county prepares for a difficult budget cycle. Commissioners raised the prospect of pausing or reducing first‑and‑last‑mile programs, requested agency data on costs and ridership, and sought a clearer definition of the county’s “core transportation services.”

Vice Chairwoman Regalado said she did not support raising fares amid current economic conditions and proposed pausing some first‑and‑last‑mile programs such as Metro Connect for two years to preserve core transit services. “I do not think that raising our rates is the solution to our problem,” Regalado said. “I am a big proponent of first and last mile... however... I don't think that we receive the return on investment that is needed.” She asked attorneys to draft an item and asked staff to present Metro Connect cost and ridership figures at the committee’s next meeting.

Sean Adjacent, deputy director and chief of transit operations, provided ridership context: “Our overall ridership since BBN is up 2%. … That's about 3,000 extra people per day are riding Metrobus since we've done the network.” He also said the overall system is about 7% above pre‑COVID ridership when normalized for the free‑fare period.

Melvin Castagena, chief financial officer for the department, reported a fare recovery of roughly 10%: “Currently, our fare recovery is 10%. That means that transit is subsidized by 90% per rider,” he said.

Commissioners pressed for more detailed accounting: cost per user of Metro Connect, how many riders use first‑and‑last‑mile services versus those who use Metro Connect to fill gaps created by the Better Bus network, and comparisons with other regions. Commissioners also discussed coordination with municipal trolleys and the Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) report on municipal connectivity, which members said they had not yet received.

No formal motions to change fares or cancel programs were adopted at the meeting. The committee directed staff to provide detailed Metro Connect cost and usage data, a definition of county core transportation services tied to federal requirements, and comparative ridership/subsidy information for peer jurisdictions ahead of upcoming budget discussions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Miami-Dade County - Transportation Committee - May 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioners debated whether to pause or reduce first‑and‑last‑mile services (Metro Connect) amid a looming budget 'cliff,' asked staff for detailed cost per user and return‑on‑investment data, and received agency figures showing weekday boardings up 2% since the Better Bus Network and a 10% fare recovery rate.","taxTitle","Miami-Dade County, Florida","taxId",2864,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6562032,"Committee approves property acquisition for 159th Street widening; officials say design will finish this year, construction aimed for 2026",200,728000,928000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3281591-e2334afaccb63b2de23122d8a77791ed&start=728&end=928","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3281591-e2334afaccb63b2de23122d8a77791ed/thumbnail_728000.jpg","/articles/6562032/Miami-Dade-County/Florida/Committee-approves-property-acquisition-for-159th-Street-widening-officials-say-design-will-finish-this-year-construction-aimed-for-2026","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6562032-e477f41c4fbd62b70a1f038c6ccebf51/orig.mp4?Expires=1770987633&Signature=eNex6A5YFMgmLCJ~MwNSkr1prCiCPUGPrQXhFmHU9wwAARfhOJkIa9Gvez4~97Q-pRpEqvql9Fxx~migv54vHwY4a9IOBDJoggI53QH07pR9NFY6SE6lk2Yf7I-UcIaEEryCdEloCiOv-N7rAI6VvBcibvt4ecJQ3wY0aIO4RG1H3VqjJykcumTq2xlEP2BGj9Pu6R7~o4CvlnEIpFxcMv6GcAAeghHUF1Ph0lx~TTOtKseunsA0UsXmIAchWLRQombBbZjX~zujITsb6EbQKidTh2uZwOur3I2WWTinUAJJkPqmqY1UtuHk4OiCU8ujtBzU6eip5h5Mnu6619Lt7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Miami‑Dade County Transportation Committee approved an item to acquire property from the City of North Miami Beach to support a widening project on 159th Street between NE 6th Avenue and Harriet Tubman Boulevard.

Commissioner Kavishida Bastien, who pulled the item for questions, asked for specifics of the project and whether the acquisition affects residential properties. Joshua Diaz, deputy director of the Department of Transportation and Public Works, said the county is acquiring a single property or a portion of a property in front of the North Miami Beach water plant and that “this one is not in a residential area.” Diaz described the broader project as proposing a five‑lane typical section along portions of the corridor and said staff are revalidating the proposed cross section because residents voiced concerns about widening in nearby residential segments.

Diaz said staff plan to finish design by the end of the year for this segment, which is currently at about 60% design completion, and that construction could commence in 2026. He also described steps the department will take to address resident concerns, including further traffic validation, incorporation of context‑sensitive design and traffic calming measures, and an upcoming public meeting to present revised options.

Commissioner Bermudez and others raised safety concerns about nearby road segments (including Northwest 120th Street and Palmetto ramp approaches) and asked the department to work with state agencies on expedited safety projects. Diaz said the ultimate safety improvements at those intersections likely require redesigns and that the county would seek to expedite work where possible.

The committee voted to approve the acquisition item after discussion; no amendments were added. Staff said the county will commence appraisal and acquisition work after commission approval and will return to the public with updated designs and data.

The committee recorded no specific acquisition price during the discussion.","The committee approved acquisition of property from the City of North Miami Beach needed for a widening project on 159th Street. County staff said the segment is at 60% design, the acquisition is not in a residential area, and construction could begin in 2026.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6562037,"Committee approves two‑year, $245,000‑per‑year interlocal agreement with Miami Beach for fixed‑route Mount Sinai link",105,512000,617000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3281591-e2334afaccb63b2de23122d8a77791ed&start=512&end=617","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3281591-e2334afaccb63b2de23122d8a77791ed/thumbnail_512000.jpg","/articles/6562037/Miami-Dade-County/Florida/Committee-approves-twoyear-245000peryear-interlocal-agreement-with-Miami-Beach-for-fixedroute-Mount-Sinai-link","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6562037-1aaaba71005c3a98fb09b6350394b977/orig.mp4?Expires=1770987633&Signature=HBBzQel4RXvTABkQEL0HOwSEAw6CjYL2ZaSfkBWrl8UCOtZs9QAl6SN~n8QZf2Mn2gnpNojDAPPmfj07JvKuTMK3eMoSaafoe6fmtunANdEqbKgZKYyIopuO88bgqYlB-luhO~cygTewukBHH9Eh-vPJbSkEZwHIKfR6d4JDyKnl1i-CTKO0u~7plgnnDYKAwxPeSXpHUYfUr4fzHBAs6gMUnFnE7GPgMaP6O8KSYD61pkDEsDpaZ2O9ok-QysOxXkuLaZbsMAvIChB6CAty9gZThWzsRSYFHhXomJfq09CYW93aPPCOLy3wdjRBZoFK6wxGR0~fHejV45ZwXCMSUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Miami‑Dade County Transportation Committee voted unanimously to approve an interlocal agreement with the City of Miami Beach to provide $245,000 per year for two years to operate a fixed‑route Mount Sinai link.

Commissioner Steinberg described the item as a response to community concerns following elimination of Route 115 under the Better Bus network. “There was an outcry from the residents and we tried to find a solution and a path forward so that those residents who need it most aren't left behind,” Steinberg said, describing the agreement with the city as a cost‑saving compromise for the county.

The committee opened the item for public comment and none were recorded. The motion was moved and seconded; the clerk conducted a roll call and the committee recorded unanimous approval.

Committee members discussed whether the item should be brought forward to the next Board of County Commissioners meeting and noted that, if so, the sponsor must submit a written request to the committee chair.

No further conditions, amendments, or budget offsets were proposed at the committee meeting.","The transportation committee approved a two‑year interlocal agreement with the City of Miami Beach providing $245,000 per year for a fixed‑route Mount Sinai link, intended to restore service for residents after elimination of Route 115 under the Better Bus network.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6562042,"County committee approves transfer of air‑ambulance COPCN from Nicklaus Children’s to Rocky Mountain Holdings",2613,323000,2936000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3281591-e2334afaccb63b2de23122d8a77791ed&start=323&end=2936","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3281591-e2334afaccb63b2de23122d8a77791ed/thumbnail_323000.jpg","/articles/6562042/Miami-Dade-County/Florida/County-committee-approves-transfer-of-airambulance-COPCN-from-Nicklaus-Childrens-to-Rocky-Mountain-Holdings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6562042-217e9a6dfc9923ba2bb7915b1d467564/orig.mp4?Expires=1770987633&Signature=Ke04ZVKOchV~8p-HNxW81w~3u4MCJiASxQhOrmWxhFKA-hCS4uYSqtwFaY~YuXqjkkezLCcbNSzzhqYecm7AYjmigmJjQrmBcAlMdMEYmFGy69jYi3TpIs90hiDjT1~8En~appZ4Yhq13wNtBryynf5k6c4SPxnzt79K3nqxXW4Kxb865L4UZYYbwgaEhCZoQhc-RlydgcCCW0r41OhederbWrF6o7t5Vrfs1oTyQWYCrVJXJsrXxZIHcLPnTHnx3lTpW8L-ZvMMB6yRnJdtveshQEurmrKX3aFK-UnLNR509-R0XOSSobYbdDPlCoLwyQsrkn4UjesVX2-mSZre8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Miami‑Dade County Transportation Committee unanimously approved a resolution to transfer Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (COPCN) MD‑17 for air ambulance services from Nicklaus Children’s Hospital to Rocky Mountain Holdings LLC (doing business with Air Methods).

The committee heard from Shannon O’Dell, vice president and chief nursing officer at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, who described the hospital’s pediatric transport program and the rationale for the transfer. “Nichlaus Children’s is the only licensed specialty children’s hospital in South Florida,” O’Dell said. “Our Life Flight Critical Care Transport team provides expert pediatric and neonatal transport for children of our community. Our program safely transports over 4,000 infants and children and more than 300 of those are by air or by rotor transport.”

O’Dell told the committee that a change in the hospital’s transport model — with Air Methods assuming the COPCN and acting as the air medical transport vendor — will allow the hospital to focus on providing clinical care during transports. Committee members did not ask substantive follow‑up questions during the public hearing. A member of the public, Daniela Pierre, a representative of Transport Workers Union Local 291, registered opposition to a related item and noted outreach with the committee; that comment was recorded as part of the public hearing process but did not alter the committee’s vote on the COPCN transfer.

The committee called for any administrative follow‑up needed to move the item to the full Board of County Commissioners. The record includes a final roll call showing the motion passed unanimously.

The transfer of a COPCN is an administrative action affecting who holds the county’s authorization to provide air medical transport. Committee members asked staff to ensure the item is appropriately sponsored and documented before it moves to the full commission for final action.

No budgetary figures tied directly to the COPCN transfer were provided at the committee meeting. The committee did not adopt additional conditions or amendments on the transfer at this session.","A Miami‑Dade County transportation committee voted unanimously to approve transferring Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (COPCN) MD-17 for air ambulance services from Nicklaus Children’s Hospital to Rocky Mountain Holdings LLC/Air Methods, citing continuity of pediatric transport services.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee discusses transit budget, asks for Metro Connect cost and ridership data; fare recovery at 10%

Committee approves property acquisition for 159th Street widening; officials say design will finish this year, construction aimed for 2026

Committee approves two‑year, $245,000‑per‑year interlocal agreement with Miami Beach for fixed‑route Mount Sinai link

County committee approves transfer of air‑ambulance COPCN from Nicklaus Children’s to Rocky Mountain Holdings