| | | | | | | | | Resolutions - C7 N
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM |
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| | | | | | | | TO: | Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission | | FROM: | Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager | | DATE: | March 7, 2018 | | |
| SUBJECT: | A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD/COMMUNITY
AFFAIRS COMMITTEE REGARDING THE SOUTH BEACH
TROLLEY ROUTE, VEHICLE COMFORT, AND ACCESSIBILITY. |
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| | | | | | | | RECOMMENDATION
| Adopt the Resolution.
BACKGROUND
At its December 20, 2017 meeting, the Neighborhood/Community Affairs Committee (NCAC) discussed the current routes and conditions of the Miami Beach trolleys, as well as accessibility for seniors and handicapped persons. At the meeting, the NCAC recommended extending the South Beach Trolley route to the Collins Park neighborhood.
On January 17, 2018, the City Commission accepted the NCAC's recommendation and directed the Administration to extend the South Beach Loops A and B to the Collins Park neighborhood, while keeping the “Via 10 Street Loop” as-is. Additionally, the City Commission requested that the item be referred to NCAC for further discussion regarding operating scenarios of the South Beach Trolley, including options that do not eliminate the “Via 10 Street Loop” and the financial impacts associated with the scenarios.
Pursuant to City Commission direction, South Beach Loops A and B were extended to Collins Park on January 22, 2018. Since the extended service was implemented without any changes to the "Via 10 Street Loop" and with no additional vehicles, the Commission directed that the Administration monitor the impact of increased headways.
At its January 24, 2018 meeting, the NCAC discussed the current routes and conditions of the Miami Beach Trolleys, as well as accessibility for seniors and handicapped persons. The Committee requested that the Administration return in February and present the specific concerns received by staff regarding the accessibility of high-floor and low-floor trolleys, as well as the cost and timeline associated with modifying low-floor trolley vehicles to address concerns reported by passengers and the community. Additionally, the Committee discussed the "Via 10 Street Loop” and requested a ridership breakdown of all three (3) trolley loops operating in South Beach.
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| | | | | | | | ANALYSIS
| Pursuant to the NCAC's request, at its February 21, 2018 meeting, the Administration presented to NCAC concerns received by staff regarding the accessibility of high-floor and low-floor trolleys, as well as the cost and timeline associated with modifying low-floor trolley vehicles to address concerns reported by passengers and the community and improve passenger comfort and convenience, including:
- New footrest for high bench above front right wheel well
- New storage rack above left front wheel well
- New rear support railing
- Longer leather strap
- Raised benches above the rear wheel wells to allow for more passenger legroom
At the NCAC meeting, the Administration also presented ridership figures for all three (3) South Beach Trolley loops: Loop A (Clockwise); Loop B (Counterclockwise); and “Via 10 Street Loop”, including ridership at the Belle Isle stop and along the recently extended route segment to Collins Park neighborhood.
After discussion, the Committee made the following motions:
- Display the low-floor trolley vehicle with recently implemented modifications intended to improve passenger comfort and convenience at Rebecca Towers.
- Implement similar modifications to all 12 low-floor trolley vehicles at an estimated cost of approximately $400 per vehicle (total of $4,800 for all 12 low-floor trolley vehicles).
- Monitor when the current trolley contract expires to ensure more user-friendly trolleys are ordered in the future.
- Continue working with the City of Miami on establishing enhanced transit service along the Venetian Causeway to connect Miami Beach and Miami.
- Refer to the Transportation, Parking and Bicycle/Pedestrian Facilities Committee (TPBPFC) a discussion on the current trolley routes, with specific emphasis on whether the Belle Isle extension should be continued, and ensure that the Belle Isle Neighborhood Association is provided advance notice for this meting.
Pursuant to the NCAC request, a low-floor and high-floor trolley vehicle will be displayed at Rebecca Towers (Alton Road/2 Street) on Tuesday, February 27, 2018 from 2 PM to 3 PM, for a side-by-side comparison. The low-floor trolley on display will include the above-referenced and recently implemented modifications intended to improve passenger comfort and convenience.
The funding required to implement the recommended modifications to all 12 low-floor trolley vehicles is currently available from trolley operating savings.
The anticipated timeline for implementation of the recommended modifications to all 12 low-floor trolley vehicles is approximately four (4) weeks.
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| | | | | | | | CONCLUSION
| Accept the Committee recommendation as follows::
- Display the low-floor trolley vehicle with recently implemented modifications intended to improve passenger comfort and convenience at Rebecca Towers.
- Implement similar modifications to all 12 low-floor trolley vehicles at an estimated cost of approximately $400 per vehicle (total of $4,800 for all 12 low-floor trolley vehicles).
- Monitor when the current trolley contract expires to ensure more user-friendly trolleys are ordered in the future.
- Continue working with the City of Miami on establishing enhanced transit service along the Venetian Causeway to connect Miami Beach and Miami.
- Refer to the Transportation, Parking and Bicycle/Pedestrian Facilities Committee (TPBPFC) a discussion on the current trolley routes, with specific emphasis on whether the Belle Isle extension should be continued, and ensure that the Belle Isle Neighborhood Association is provided advance notice for this meting.
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| | | | | | | | KEY INTENDED OUTCOMES SUPPORTED Ensure Comprehensive Mobility Addressing All Modes Throughout The City |
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| | | | | | | | FINANCIAL INFORMATION
| It is important to note that the City trolley service is funded by a combination of People's Transportation Plan (PTP) surtax funds from the County, Resort Tax Quality-of-Life Funds, and Parking Surplus Revenues; fully utilizing the allocation of PTP and Resort Tax Quality-of-Life Funds. Further, as parking demand has been declining, so has Parking Surplus Revenues, limiting the availability of these funds for additional allocations. Thus, it is likely that transfers from the General Fund would be required, if available, for additional allocations. |
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| | | | | | | | Legislative Tracking Transportation |
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| | | | | | | | Sponsor Commissioner Michael Gongora |
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