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Miami-Dade and Beach Voters Support County Transit Plan

 In November 2002, just one month after the "Baylink" rapid transit study was completed, two-out-of-three Miami-Dade voters (66%) voted to fund and implement a countywide transit plan. How does Miami Beach fit in?

To the vast majority of Miami-Dade County residents, rapid transit to Miami Beach is an integral part of a countywide transportation system. A connection to Miami Beach is an explicit part of the county plan, along with lines to the north, west, and south.

The map promoting the transit plan illustrates stops at the airport and along the growing Biscayne corridor, among other destinations.

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Click the image to enlarge.
© Image:http://www.trafficrelief.com. 		The actual referendum language was as follows: "Shall the County implement the People’s Transportation Plan including: Plans to build rapid transit lines to West Dade, Kendall, Florida City, Miami Beach and North Dade; expanding bus service; adding 635 buses; improving traffic signalization to reduce traffic backups; improving major and neighborhood roads and highways, including drainage; and funding to municipalities for road and transportation projects by levying a 12 percent sales surtax whose proceeds will be overseen by the Citizen’s Independent Transportation Trust?"
Miami Beach voters showed even higher support (68%), with majorities as high as 86% in South Beach precincts. A poll of Miami Beach voters in April 2003 reinforces these high levels:

  • 65% of voters with an opinion support construction of the light rail system between Miami Beach and downtown called "Baylink" (51% to 28%)
  • Even more (68%) agree that a rail study should move forward (62%-to-29%).

Source: Survey of Registered Voters in the City of Miami Beach, Florida (Sponsored by the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce, April 30, 2003)

The county plan is more fully explained at www.trafficrelief.com. While there are various features of the plan, nearly 70% of respondents in an informal Miami- Dade County Internet poll cited rapid transit as the most important.

What feature of the PTP [People's Transportation Plan] is most important to you?
  • More rapid transit.
    		•  541 (69.72%)
  • More bus service.
    		•  193 (24.87%)
  • Highway and road improvements.
    		•  169 (21.78%)
  • Money can only be spent on transit-related improvements.
    		•  205 (26.42%)
  • More jobs.
    		•  137 (17.65%)
  • Free transit to all senior citizens 65 years and older.
    		•  125 (16.11%)
  • Total Replies : 776
    		•
    Source: http://www.trafficrelief.com/

    A positive feature of the plan is that the routing and modes of rapid transit for each line are flexible. In fact, even major line changes could eventually be approved with consent of the governing Citizen's Independent Transportation Trust.

    ©Miami Herald, May 8 2003

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