At the February 22, 2023, City Commission meeting, Vice-Mayor Steven Meiner sponsored a referral to the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee (PSNQLC) to discuss options for the potential relocation of the bus stop currently located on the west side of Indian Creek Drive immediately north of 41 Street (the "Bus Stop").

Over the past few months, the intersection of Indian Creek Drive and 41 Street has experienced significant levels of traffic congestion during afternoon peak hours. Some residents have raised concerns regarding the frequent number of stops by buses and trolleys at the Bus Stop which obstructs the flow of traffic along the southbound right turn lane on Indian Creek Drive approaching 41 Street.

The Bus Stop currently serves a total of eight (8) public transit routes: six (6) Miami-Dade County bus routes (120, 150, J, L, M, and S) and two (2) Miami Beach trolley routes (Collins Express and Middle Beach Trolley). As such, the Bus Stop is one of the busiest in the City in terms of ridership, ranked sixth highest out of the 292 bus stops in the City, with 489 riders per day. The high ridership at this stop underscores its critical role in connecting residents, visitors, and workforce to key destinations across the City. The Bus Stop currently has a bus shelter for added passenger comfort and convenience. Furthermore, it is important to note that this bus stop is the only location where transit passengers traveling south along Collins Avenue/Indian Creek Drive can transfer to another route (bus or trolley) to travel westbound on 41 Street, thus making the Bus Stop a crucial transfer point in the City’s and County’s transit network. Four (4) routes serving the Bus Stop originate further north along Collins Avenue and travel southbound along Indian Creek Drive to continue south of 41 Street, while the other four (4) routes travel northbound on Collins Avenue, make a westbound left turn at 44 Street, travel southbound on Indian Creek Drive to serve the Bus Stop, and then make a right turn at 41 Street to continue westbound along 41 Street.

Due to the current alignment of these routes and the configuration of the street grid in this area, the only suitable location that would allow for transfers to occur among all six (6) Miami-Dade County bus routes and two (2) Miami Beach trolley routes that serve this area is the portion of Indian Creek Drive between 41 Street and 44 Street (i.e. where the Bus Stop is currently located – Attachment A). Notwithstanding the impact that the Bus Stop currently has on traffic flow given its placement adjacent to the southbound right turn lane, the Bus Stop is strategically located to safely and conveniently accommodate route transfers. Moreover, within the segment of Indian Creek Drive from 41 Street to 44 Street, no alternative suitable location exists (on public right-of-way) such that buses would not have to stop on the southbound right turn lane on Indian Creek Drive to serve this important transfer stop.  If the Bus Stop were not at its current location, either certain transfers would not be possible, or transit passengers would be required to walk much longer distances to transfer.

An analysis would be required to determine the feasibility of creating a bus bay on private property adjacent to Indian Creek Drive between 44 Street and 41 Street (i.e. in the swale area between the southbound right turn lane and Indian Creek waterway) to eliminate the need for buses and trolleys to stop on the Indian Creek Drive travel lane. If feasible, the Bus Stop would need to be relocated a few feet north of its current location to provide sufficient distance for buses to be able to safely navigate changing lanes from the bus bay to the southbound through lane on Indian Creek Drive to continue traveling southbound on Indian Creek Drive.

Additionally, the Better Bus Project, led by Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) and expected to launch in November 2023, aims to consolidate several bus routes and improve route alignments across the County. Specifically, the Better Bus Project proposes to reduce the number of bus routes serving the Bus Stop from six (6) to four (4); however, frequency of bus service is expected to increase. At this time, it is uncertain how the Better Bus Project will impact ridership and overall performance of the Bus Stop.