The Administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission approve the Resolution. 

At the September 14, 2022 City Commission meeting, Commissioner Alex Fernandez referred a discussion regarding public transportation passes for board and committee members to the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee (FERC).

This item was discussed at the February 17, 2023 FERC meeting. At the meeting, the Transportation and Mobility Department staff presented the Miami-Dade County Corporate Discount Transit Pass Program which may be used for Miami-Dade County Metrobus and Metrorail, and costs associated with it. Although board and committee members are offered parking accommodations through a citywide parking permit, transit passes would better assist members who do not drive and prefer to use public transportation. Alternatively, for members seeking to commute via bicycle, a CitiBike Deluxe monthly membership subscription for unlimited 60-minute rides could be provided.

As an alternative accommodation to parking, the FERC recommended the City issue a $75.00 stipend towards the purchase of a monthly discounted transit pass or a $25.00 CitiBike Deluxe monthly membership subscription which may be used for mobility.

Listed below is the cost of both the Corporate Discount Transit passes and CitiBike subscriptions:

Monthly Costs for the Corporate Discount Transit Passes:

• 1-Month Corporate Discount Pass (Metrobus/Metrorail)

4 – 99 Participating employees $101.25 (10% off)

100 + Participating employees $95.65 (15% off)

• 1-Month Regional Corporate Discount Pass (Metrobus/Metrorail/Tri-Rail)

 4 – 99 Participating employees $135.00

100 + Participating employees $130.00

• Monthly Metrorail Parking Permit

Participants who take Metrorail may opt in for the $11.25 (no discount)

CitiBike Monthly Membership Subscriptions

• Standard (monthly billing) unlimited 30-minute rides $20.00
• Deluxe (monthly billing) unlimited 60-minute rides $25.00
• Usage Fees: Additional 30 minutes $4.60
• Membership Requirements:
  • CitiBike monthly membership subscriptions have a 3-month minimum commitment for membership subscriptions.
  • Bikes are also required to be returned to CitiBike dock within membership subscription checkout term of either 30 or 60 minutes to avoid paying additional usage fees.

The FERC recommended in favor of moving the item to the City Commission for consideration.  

Currently, pursuant to City Commission Resolution No. 2017-29780 (Attachment A), the Transit Corporate Discount Program offered through the City, is only available to City employees (Attachment B). On a monthly basis, the Transportation and Mobility Department works with the Human Resources Department to track and confirm current employee participation in the program and to encourage new employees to participate. As of March 2023, 64 City employees are enrolled in the program.

As noted in Letter to Commission (LTC) 113-2023 (Attachment C), dated March 7, 2023, there are a total of 382 appointed members to City board and committees. Since there are 64 City employees currently participating in the Corporate Discount Transit Pass program, $101.25 is the current monthly rate for Metrobus/Metrorail access. If at least 36 board and committee members opt to participate in the transit program, the rate would be reduced to $96.65 per month.

Assuming a monthly rate of $101.25 for Metrobus/Metrorail access, the City would provide a $75.00 credit toward the purchase of a monthly Corporate Discount Program transit pass, with members being responsible for the remaining amount of $26.10 per month. Alternatively, members may opt to participate in a $25 CitiBike monthly membership fully subsidized by the City. Both options would be in lieu of a citywide parking permit.

According to the 2022 resident survey, less than 10% of residents use public transportation as a primary mode of transportation to get around the City. At least 25% of residents consider biking, trolley, or light rail/modern streetcar as the most viable alternatives to using a car for trips within the City.

The fiscal impact will vary based on the participation rate. For example, if 10% of all board and committee members (38) elect to participate in the monthly transit program, the estimated annual cost is approximately $34,200 (38 passes x $75 stipend x 12 months = $34,200). If another 10% of board and committee members (38) elect to receive the monthly CitiBike subscription, the estimated annual cost is approximately $11,400 (38 subscriptions x $25 fee x 12 months = $11,400). Together, at this level of participation, the fiscal impact would be approximately $45,600.

Funding will need to be identified and appropriated through the Fiscal Year 2024 budget process. Should the City Commission approve this Resolution, the Administration will work with committee liaisons to conduct a preliminary survey of City board and committee members to determine interest in participating in the Miami-Dade County Transit Corporate Discount Program for monthly transit passes or CitiBike monthly membership subscriptions through subsidized passes/memberships in lieu of a citywide parking permit. The survey information will assist in the Fiscal Year 2024 budget development process.

There have been a number of priority initiatives identified by the Commission and staff that will have significant funding impacts. As we develop the Fiscal Year 2024 budget, the full fiscal impact of the recently approved collective bargaining agreements will also need to be absorbed. While there are certain one-time needs that may be needed for initiatives already underway, to the extent possible, it is recommended that new requests for funding, especially those with recurring impacts, be evaluated as part of the Fiscal Year 2024 budget development process.