In a recent meeting of the Citizens' Independent Transportation Trust, officials from Sweetwater shared updates on their transportation initiatives, highlighting both challenges and progress in their trolley system. As the discussion unfolded, the projected surtax distribution for the year was noted to be $846,278, with hopes that funding would stabilize after a recent fluctuation that saw only $80,000 received for one month.

Sweetwater's trolley system, which serves approximately 54,225 riders annually, operates seven days a week, with service running from 10 AM to 7 PM. The current setup includes one route with three city-owned trolleys—two in service and one spare—managed by a private contractor. The trolley route connects key locations, including the Dolphin Mall and Florida International University (FIU), but officials acknowledged that the service frequency of every 90 minutes is too long for effective transit.

To enhance the trolley service, plans are underway to develop an app that will sync with Miami-Dade's transit system, GoMD. This initiative aims to conduct an origin and destination study to evaluate potential route and schedule adjustments, with the goal of reducing headways and improving efficiency. Officials expressed interest in exploring innovative solutions, such as dynamic bus stop displays that provide real-time arrival information, similar to those in Sunny Isles.

Additionally, the city is looking to modernize its bus benches and shelters, which are currently under contract with a service provider. While funding is available for these upgrades, the city must navigate the complexities of the existing contract to ensure that riders have adequate facilities during the transition.

As Sweetwater continues to refine its transportation offerings, the focus remains on creating a more efficient and user-friendly system that meets the needs of its residents. The discussions at the meeting reflect a commitment to improving public transit, ensuring that Sweetwater remains connected and accessible for all.