Mayor Gimenez is citing frugality as the reason behind a decision that favors bus rapid transit over an earlier proposal for new rail lines.
Douglas Hanks reports: "Miami-Dade can’t afford to build more rail lines and should invest millions in transit dollars creating modernized express bus systems running north and south, Mayor Carlos Gimenez said Monday."
Instead of rail lines, Mayor Gimenez is proposing a $534 million proposal for bus rapid transit routes. The proposal would "indefinitely defer the Metrorail expansion promised voters in 2002 during a referendum for a half-percent transportation tax that currently generates about $250 million a year," according to Hanks. That potentially defunct expansion, called the SMART plan (short for Strategic Miami Area Rapid Transit), is detailed in article by Michael Vasquez from April 2016.
The article by Hanks provides a lot more detail on the political debate surrounding the city of Miami's transit investments. The bus rapid transit plans are a departure from earlier statements by Mayor Gimenez, who unveiled the SMART plan during his re-election campaign last year, and aired a television ad under the headline "More Rail Lines."
Hat tip to Rachel Dovey for sharing the article and adding more context on the political cause for transit in one of the country's most congested cities.
FULL STORY: We can’t afford to build new rail lines, Miami-Dade mayor says
Transit Debate Coming to a Head Soon in Miami-Dade
A new network of buses, designed with the bus priority features, has been proposed in Miami. The catch: it would come at the expense of a promised rail extension program.
Monorail Doesn't Measure Up for Los Angeles, Says Editorial Board
The editorial board of the Los Angeles Times is unimpressed by a plan to build a monorail between the Westside and the San Fernando Valley in the city of Los Angeles.
Major Transit Openings Expected in 2021
All the heavy rail, light rail, bus rapid transit, and commuter rail projects expected to open in North American in 2021.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
Pedestrian Deaths Drop, Remain Twice as High as in 2009
Fatalities declined by 4 percent in 2024, but the U.S. is still nowhere close to ‘Vision Zero.’
King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.
Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie