If you’ve been sitting at (or more likely driving by…) one of the Miami-Dade County bus stops lately, then you’ve likely noticed the addition of some new blue trash receptacles. I recently spoke with John Labriola at MDT to get a better understanding of the trash bin program and the financing behind it:
“All were in Unincorporated Miami-Dade, as the County does not have jurisdiction over bus stops in incorporated areas. The bins were installed by MDT with funding from the Solid Waste Department, which will be responsible for emptying out and maintaining the litter bins.”
MDT identified the 1,000 stations for the Miami-Dade Solid Waste Management Department and were placed from August through December.
We are relieved to know that the trash bin funding came from outside sources rather than some of the recent raids on the PTP and are glad to see that MDT is not responsible for the maintenance. The fact that MDT or Solid Waste, both County agencies, do not have the authority or jurisdiction to place these receptacles within the municipalities is a cause for concern. This is a blatant example of the division we experience in Miami-Dade due the fragmentation of municipalities. These multiple cities create that extra layer of bureaucracy which in this case, prevent the county agencies from rolling out a consistent pattern for municipal structures. Note: Miami-Dade bus shelters are located only in unincorporated areas as well, leaving the individual municipalities to purchase their own distinct shelters while preventing MDT from establishing a countywide brand image. It may seem insignificant, but the trash bins provide a visual glimpse of the political barriers our county agencies face…
City of Miami Bus Shelter and Trash Bins:
Coral Gables Bus Stop and Trash Bin:
That really does suck that their not all uniformed.
Thanks for the explanation. A county-wide transit system should have uniform stops, shelters, and trash.
Long over due, when will this city learn to make changes a bit faster.
The argument that municipalities stand in the way of a uniform brand image for MDTA is flawed. If this were the case, then there would be no ability for corporate organizations like Starbucks, McDonalds, or Burger King to dictate what brand image and icons are portrayed on their establishments.
Has MDTA even bothered to approach the municipalities about the use of their bus shelter styles? Or, is it more likely that MDTA has sidestepped the issue completely and told the municipalities that it is completely up to them as to how they outfit stops in their areas?
I’m sure that CemUSA, the company that manages the bus shelters in unincorporated Miami-Dade, could answer the question if asked. I bet they’d be glad to have the contract to manage the shelters in all municipalities across the county.
It’s a shame they can’t have a uniform system. It can be done if the municipalities work together though.