This item is presented to the City Commission for discussion and consideration..

BACKGROUND

The City of Miami is proposing to launch the Miami Cross Bay Express service connecting Bayside Marketplace and South Beach via the MacArthur Causeway/5th Street.

The City of Miami Beach Administration staff met with City of Miami Administration staff on June 26, 2018 to discuss the City of Miami's proposed Cross Bay Express route.  At the meeting, the City of Miami staff expressed their interest in partnering with Miami Beach for implementation and operation of the service.  Based on input provided by the City of Miami staff at the June 26th meeting, the proposed service was to be provided using trolley vehicles.  However, pursuant to more recent discussions, the City of Miami is proposing to use branded double decker buses, similar to the ones used by hop-on/hop-off tour bus companies, and branded coach buses.

The City of Miami Beach Administration staff met with City of Miami staff on August 6, 2018 to further discuss the City of Miami's proposed route. Initially, the proposed route included streets within the South of Fifth neighborhood.  As a result of the meeting and field inspection with Miami Beach Transportation Department staff, the route alignment in Miami Beach was modified to mitigate impacts on the South of Fifth neighborhood.

The City of Miami Cross Bay Express route is proposed to operate  eastbound along 5th Street to Washington Avenue, serve the existing Washington Avenue/5th Street bus stop, travel west along 6th Street to Meridian Avenue, south along Meridian Avenue to 5th Street where it would loop back westbound along the MacArthur Causeway. The Attachment depicts the final route alignment, vehicle type and proposed bus stop design for the Miami Cross Bay Express.

The City of Miami anticipates service commencement in mid-October. The service would operate as a pilot for one (1) year, operating seven (7) days a week from 12:00 PM to Midnight at approximately 30 minute frequency of service, and charging a fare in an amount of approximately $5.00.

The Administration believes that the Miami Cross Bay service would primarily be used by tourists travelling between Bayside Marketplace in Downtown Miami and the Entertainment District in South Beach.   

The City of Miami Administration has reached out to the City of Miami Beach and is requesting a motion of no objection from the Miami Beach City Commission.

The  Miami Cross Bay Express service would be provided by the City of Miami at no cost to the City of Miami Beach.