The City Administration (“Administration”) recommends that the Mayor and City Commission (“Commission”) approve the Resolution authorizing the City Manager to negotiate and execute an Interlocal Agreement with Miami-Dade County (“County”) and a contract amendment with BEEFREE, LLC (“Freebee”) to implement a new dedicated on-demand Freebee service (as further described under Option 2 in the Analysis section of this memorandum) to mitigate the County’s discontinuation of Route 115 as part of the upcoming launch of the Better Bus Network (or “Better Bus”) on November 13, 2023, so as to provide uninterrupted public transit services to the affected community.

The County’s Better Bus Network is a revamp of regional bus service based on a comprehensive countywide study conducted by the Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works (“DTPW”) in collaboration with Transit Alliance Miami, a non-profit organization. The Better Bus study was initiated in June 2019 and approved, as amended, by Resolution No. R-920-21 of the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners (“BCC”) on October 5, 2021. The Resolution authorized the implementation, by the County, of service adjustments and route changes to the Better Bus Network. The County is planning to launch the approved route changes on November 13, 2023. The changes include several new bus routes in Miami Beach including routes 14, 15, 20, and 100 as well as improvements to service frequency.

As part of the upcoming changes, and based on the County’s analysis, the County will discontinue Route 115 due to historically low ridership (an average of approximately 134 riders per weekday and 67 riders on weekends). Route 115 connects North Beach to South Beach, serving Mount Sinai Medical Center, primarily along the Alton Road corridor (Attachment A). The service utilizes two (2) cut-away buses operating approximately 13 hours a day, seven (7) days a week, at approximately 50-minute headways (i.e. frequency of service). The County is introducing new routes, including Route 14 from Omni Terminal in Miami to Mount Sinai Medical Center via the MacArthur Causeway, Alton Road, South Pointe Drive, Washington Avenue, Collins Avenue, and 41 Street, which will somewhat serve the areas affected by the discontinuation of Route 115. Details and maps of the County-approved route changes to be implemented as part of the County’s Better Bus Network can be found here (Better Bus SHIFTS Into Gear (miamidade.gov).   

Based on the County’s assessment, frequency and reliability of County bus service in Miami Beach is expected to improve overall as a result of the Better Bus Network. However, the City Administration initially and consistently expressed a few concerns with the plan, as originally proposed by the County, including loss of County bus service in the South of Fifth neighborhood and the elimination of Route 115 without providing an alternative transit service for the affected communities, such as an on-demand service.

At the September 17, 2021 City Commission meeting, the City Commission discussed the Better Bus Network, and, in particular, the City Administration’s outstanding concerns with the plan as proposed at that time. The City Commission adopted Resolution No. 2021-31866 (Attachment B) on September 17, 2021, which urged the County to 1) provide reliable transit service in the South of Fifth neighborhood; 2) provide on-demand transit service in lieu of Route 115; and 3) closely coordinate with City officials any consolidation of bus stops in the City. On September 24, 2021, the City Clerk transmitted a copy of City Commission Resolution No. 2021-31866 to Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, the members of the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners, and the Director and Chief Executive Officer of DTPW.

Following approval of BCC Resolution No. R-920-21 in October 2021, the County experienced challenges with implementing the amended Better Bus Network countywide. Accordingly, the County proposed a series of service adjustments to implement the majority of the network in or after November 2023. On July 6, 2023, the BCC authorized, via Resolution No. R-607-23, implementation of the bus service adjustments set forth in the revised Better Bus Network. As a result of the City Administration’s advocacy and collaboration with DTPW, the County agreed to maintain bus service in the South of Fifth neighborhood as well as Route 150/Airport Express service, which were originally slated to be eliminated. With regard to Route 115, however, the County has remained steadfast in its plans to discontinue the route.

The County has advised that it is in the process of providing information to riders and drafting and disseminating notifications, newsletters, and e-blasts with all forthcoming changes to its bus routes and other relevant Better Bus Network information. Once the collateral is received from the County, the City’s Marketing and Communications Department will assist with disseminating the information to our community.  

On October 11, 2023, the Administration issued Letter To Commission (“LTC”) No. 452-2023 dated October 11, 2023 (Attachment C) with history and an update on the County’s imminent discontinuation of Route 115. 

To help mitigate the impact of the County’s upcoming discontinuation of Route 115 and provide a suitable public transit option to the affected customers, City staff has been working with DTPW and evaluating various options as further described below.

Option 1: Enhance Mid-Beach On-Demand Freebee Service

This option would augment the City’s current on-demand Freebee service in the Mid-Beach area through the addition of one (1) Freebee Tesla X vehicle (for a total of three (3) Tesla X vehicles in service) operating the same service hours (Monday – Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.). Given the current Middle Beach on-demand transit service has only two (2) Tesla X vehicles serving a large geo-fenced area, passengers are currently experiencing average wait times of 20 minutes and many customers ultimately cancel the requested trip. The annual operating cost associated with the additional Tesla X vehicle is $168,000. Per correspondence from DTPW dated October 11, 2023 (Attachment D), the County is committing to fund this amount annually for a period of two (2) years through the execution of an Interlocal Agreement between the City and County. The Interlocal Agreement would require approval from the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners as well as the City Commission. In addition, this option would also require executing an amendment to the current agreement between the City and Freebee for the provision of on-demand transit services in the City. Consistent with the current Mid-Beach on-demand service, the enhanced Freebee service would continue to provide direct service to/from Mount Sinai Medical Center, major transit hubs in North Beach, Middle Beach, and South Beach served by the Miami Beach Trolley and County bus services, and any location within the existing geo-fenced area in Mid-Beach (Attachment E). Depending on the passenger’s trip origin or destination, a transfer may be required. Given the current demand on the Mid-Beach on-demand service, the Administration has concerns that this option may not adequately address current demand plus the needs of passengers affected by the discontinuation of Route 115; therefore, this option is not recommended. Note that following the two (2)-year financial commitment by the County for one (1) additional vehicle, this option would need to be partially or fully funded by the City and/or other sources or eliminated.

Option 2A: Implement a New Dedicated On-Demand Freebee Service Connecting North Beach and Mount Sinai Medical Center to Partially Replace Route 115

This option would require dedicating one (1) additional Tesla X Freebee vehicle to serve the North Beach portion of Route 115 (all existing stops from 63 Street to 88 Street) and also serve Mount Sinai Medical Center as an on-demand service. For this new service, riders would request a ride telephonically from a bus/trolley stop rather than through the mobile Freebee application due to complexities with creating a new geo-fence within an existing geo-fenced area. Given one (1) Freebee Tesla X vehicle has a capacity to carry five (5) passengers, it is not known at this time whether this option will adequately meet passenger demand. The annual operating cost is estimated to be $168,000 to be fully funded by the County through an Interlocal Agreement as described in Option 1 above. Similarly, an amendment to the City’s current agreement with Freebee would be required. As Route 115 historically served a low demand area (which is better served through an on-demand service) and given the new Route 14 (to be implemented as part of the Better Bus Network) will provide a direct connection from South Beach to Mount Sinai Medical Center, the Administration considers this option to be viable in terms of mitigating the impact to the North Beach community as a result of the discontinuation of Route 115. This option would provide a direct one-seat ride to Mount Sinai Medical Center. Following the two (2)-year financial commitment by the County for one (1) additional vehicle, this option would need to be partially or fully funded by the City and/or other sources or eliminated.

Option 2B: Implement a New Dedicated Fixed Route/Fixed Schedule Freebee Service Connecting North Beach and Mount Sinai Medical Center to Partially Replace Route 115

This option would require dedicating one (1) additional Tesla X Freebee vehicle to operate along the North Beach portion of Route 115 (from 63 Street to 88 Street) and serve Mount Sinai Medical Center on a fixed route/fixed schedule service. Given one (1) Freebee Tesla X vehicle has a capacity to carry up to five (5) passengers, it is not known at this time whether this option will adequately meet passenger demand. The annual operating cost is estimated to be $168,000 to be fully funded by the County through an Interlocal Agreement as described in Options 1 and 2A above. Similarly, an amendment to the City’s current agreement with Freebee would be required. Given Route 115 historically served a low demand area (which is better served through an on-demand service) and given the new Route 14 (to be implemented as part of the Better Bus Network) will provide a direct connection from South Beach to Mount Sinai Medical Center, the Administration considers this option to be viable in terms of mitigating the impact to the North Beach community as a result of the discontinuation of Route 115. This option would provide a direct one-seat ride to Mount Sinai Medical Center. As with Option 2A, following the two (2)-year financial commitment by the County for one (1) additional vehicle, this option would need to be partially or fully funded by the City and/or other sources or eliminated.

Option 3: Implement a New Dedicated On-Demand Freebee Service to Replace Full Route 115 Service

This option would require dedicating two (2) additional Tesla X Freebee vehicles to operate the same route and schedule as Route 115 but on an on-demand basis. For this new service, riders would request a ride telephonically rather than through the mobile Freebee application due to complexities with creating a new geo-fence within an existing geo-fenced area. The annual operating cost is estimated to be $328,800, of which the County would fund $168,000 through an Interlocal Agreement as in Options 1, 2A, and 2B above, and the remaining cost of $160,800 would need to be funded by the City. However, funding has not been identified, appropriated, or budgeted. Similarly, this option would require executing an amendment to the current agreement between the City and Freebee for the expansion of on-demand transit services in the City. While this option would provide an on-demand alternative for passengers affected by the impending discontinuation of Route 115, given the new Route 14 (to be implemented as part of the Better Bus Network) will provide a direct connection from South Beach to Mount Sinai Medical Center, the Administration is not recommending this option as it would duplicate bus service in South Beach. At the conclusion of the County’s two (2)-year financial commitment for one (1) additional vehicle, this option would need to be partially or fully funded by the City and/or other sources, modified/reduced, or eliminated.

Option 4: Implement a New Dedicated Trolley Loop to Replace Route 115

This option would create a new trolley loop to serve the same route, schedule, and service plan as Route 115. The service plan would consist of two (2) trolleys operating 13 hours a day, seven (7) days a week. The annual operating cost would be $728,000 if two (2) high-floor trolleys are utilized and $837,800 if two (2) low-floor trolleys are utilized. The County has not made a financial commitment to provide for this service. This option would require an amendment to the contract with the City’s trolley operator (Limousines of South Florida, Inc.), currently on a month-to-month extension, to provide the expanded trolley service. Given the annual operating cost associated with providing a fixed route/fixed schedule transit service and considering that Route 115 serves a low demand area with historically low ridership, the Administration does not consider this option to be cost-effective and, thus, is not recommending this option.  

According to the 2022 Community Satisfaction 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. Enhanced on-demand public transportation services will serve to augment viable alternatives to using private vehicles.

Below are the total costs and costs to the City for each of the three (3) options evaluated:

• Option 1 (Not Recommended): Total Cost: $168,000 for one (1) additional Tesla X vehicle (service to be funded by the County).  Cost to City: $0.
• Option 2A (Recommended for Consideration): Total Cost: $168,000 for one (1) additional Tesla X vehicle (service to be funded by the County). Cost to City: $0.
• Option 2B (Recommended for Consideration): Total Cost: $168,000 for one (1) additional Tesla X vehicle (service to be funded by the County). Cost to City: $0.
•  Option 3 (Not Recommended): Total Cost: $328,800 for two (2) additional Tesla X vehicles. County will fund $168,000. Cost to City: $160,800. Funding has not been identified, appropriated, or budgeted).
• Option 4 (Not Recommended): Total Cost: $728,000 (for two (2) high floor trolleys) to $837,800 (for two (2) low-floor trolleys). Funding has not been identified, appropriated, or budgeted. 

Due to historically low ridership and productivity, the County will be discontinuing Route 115 as part of its Better Bus Network launch on November 13, 2023. To help mitigate the loss of public transit service for affected passengers, the Administration has been working with DTPW to develop and evaluate various mitigation options to serve the affected community with the goal of providing uninterrupted public transit service.

Based on City staff’s analysis, the Administration considers Options 2A and 2B to be feasible and suitable mitigation options to the elimination of Route 115 pending further discussion with DTPW and Freebee. Should the City Commission approve this Resolution and endorse Option 2A or 2B, the Administration will work with DTPW to execute an Interlocal Agreement, effective retroactively as of November 14, 2023, and with Freebee to execute a contract amendment on an expedited basis to be positioned to implement the transit mitigation service on November 14, 2023.

If approved, the Transportation and Mobility Department and the Office of Marketing and Communications will develop and disseminate information to market and promote the service option to be provided.