Transit Miami

For all of you Coral Gables residents, there is going to be a meeting this evening to discuss proposed streetscape improvements to Miracle Mile.  A group of urban planners, architects and city leaders will be on hand to listen to suggestions from the public, and discuss the possibilities for this great boulevard. This is a great opportunity for anyone interested to submit suggestions. (Hint, hint: Bike lanes are a possibility for this stretch, so please come out and show your support.)

Where: Omni Colonnade, Coral Gables

When: 6:30 pm

A few weeks ago we posted an article that ranked the some of the “Worlds Biggest Boondogles” in publicly funded civic projects. The list bothered me initially because it reminded me of the colossal failure of the PTP, but there was something more that bothered me. In looking over the list I realized that most of the projects, with the notable exception of the PTP, were actually successful, or could not be evaluated thru a simple cost-benefit analysis. The Chunnel, the Sydney Opera House, Sound Transit, these are all important projects whose benefit is not only manifested in the amount of money each produces, but through a variety of other means. What would Sydney be without the iconic Sydney Opera House? How many people have visited Sydney as tourists, and spent tourist dollars, because of that image? That’s hard to say, but one thing that can be said is that we would not be better off without these projects.

The same needs to be said of our PTP, and the transit system in general. Mass transit is not a money making operation. It will never be cost effective, but then again building highways is never cost effective either. We don’t have a problem funding that though. A recent Herald editorial shared our collective disgust with the commission and the shoddy job they are doing. The editorial snipes that the commission should, “pitch for repeal of the half-cent of sales tax for transit,” in some misguided effort to reform its image. This would be even more of a failure than the original tax, as now the tax is vital to supporting our system. How much more do people have to suffer this backward mentality.

On Tuesday, the Commission narrowly voted in favor of increasing fares and tying future increases to the Consumer Price Index, both much needed measures in getting our transit house in order. Unfortunately, yesterday Carlos Gimenez decided that he would ask fellow commissioners to reconsider the measure on the September 16th meeting, and postpone it until the County holds a transit summit. He claims to have questions on how the Mayor’s office came up with its numbers, and whether an increase will make any substantial change to the budget problem.

It might not solve the problem Commissioner, but it is a good first step. I urge everyone who is interested to contact their commissioner and let them know what you think. In the meanwhile I will eagerly await the Transit Summit, and hope that it leads to some positive changes around here.

The Herald featured an article today in the Neighbors section about the recent addition of bike lanes to the resurfacing of Coral Way.

Mike Lydon of Transitmiami.com posted the news about the bike lanes last month after leading a June drive to contact city planning officials and requesting the lanes as part of the FDOT project.

Congrats to Mike, the BAC and everyone who contacted the city. This is a test of what we can accomplish when we work together.  Keep on writing your commissioners about the need for different forms of transit.

The WSJ and the Herald reported today that UM will no longer allow ‘freshpeople’ to bring cars to campus. ”

“UM’s move to ban cars is part of their Green U initiative, which was launched about four years ago to reduce the university’s dependence on fossil fuels and help the campus become more sustainable, meaning its current-day impact will keep future generations in mind.” Herald

Not only that, they are partnering with Zip car to put an on-campus station. Woohoo! This is very forward thinking and we applaud the U for taking a leadership role in advocating transit use. 

“Among the universities that have partnered with Zipcar to reduce traffic, noise and parking demands are MIT, Columbia, Georgetown, Rutgers, Harvard University, American University, University of Toronto, and the University of North Carolina. ” WSJ