Protecting essential services while prioritizing strong fiscal stewardship
In September our County gets ready to approve the budget for the upcoming Fiscal year 2025-2026.
Transportation and transit are among the most important services our county provides. It is our job to get people moving, to economic opportunity, to their loved ones, and to the many incredible places that make our beautiful County home. So we delivered a balanced budget that protects all our core transportation services and routes. In addition, Metromover, Golden Passport, and Patriot Passport all remain FREE, as well as all programs approved through our half penny program. We’re also continuing the innovative SMART Program as we remain on track to launch our Bud Rapid Transit (BRT) system in South Dade!
It is no secret that we are facing a challenging budget year and we had to close a gap by making hard choices. But thanks to the feedback of our community stakeholders and residents, and to unspent funds we were able to recover from the Constitutional Offices, we've been able to update my proposed budget for the next fiscal year. This update includes $66 million to restore important programs and services for our community, as well as additional funds from the School Zone Speed Detection Program that will be invested in public safety. The community asked us to protect arts and culture, community programs, parks, and essential services for our most vulnerable—and we listened.
I encourage everyone to stay engaged and participate in this important process as we continue to work together to shape the future of our county—because every choice we make reflects our shared priorities as a community. Please watch the upcoming budget hearings online, onMiami-Dade TV, or join us in person at the Chambers of the Board of County Commissionersin Downtown Miami on Sept. 4 and 18. If you are planning to attend in person, please consider taking Miami-Dade Transitto Government Center. Metrorail and Metromover service will be extended to run one hour after the end of the budget hearing.
Together, let’s continue building a Miami-Dade that works for everyone.
Yours in service,
Daniella Levine Cava
Mayor, Miami-Dade County
Engagement, mentorship and progress
August has been an eventful and productive month. In the first week, we had the honor of hosting, in partnership with the American Public Transportation Association, the 2025 APTAtech conference - a showcase of the tools, strategies, and ideas driving innovation in public transportation. During the four-day event, we had the opportunity to engage with mobility experts from the technology and transportation sectors.
Week two was a celebration of a very special milestone – our first-ever Mentorship Program graduation, held at the main public library in Downtown Miami. Mentorship plays a pivotal role in shaping young professionals and it’s crucial for the success of any public or private agency. That’s why in 2024 we established a Mentorship Program that pairs seasoned department leaders with young professionals to work together during a twelve-month transformative journey. Congratulations to our first graduating class and everyone involved!
Throughout the month, we continued to make progress toward the upcoming launch of Metro Express - the first Bus Rapid Transit system in Miami-Dade County connecting Florida City to Dadeland through the South Dade TransitWay. This new service will be a game changer for so many commuters in our county and will transform the way we move. As we look ahead, I remain committed to enhancing public transportation and improving our county’s public works infrastructure for all.
Wishing everyone in our DTPW family and our community a safe and fun Labor Day weekend.
Thank you,
Stacy L. Miller, P.E.
Director and CEO
Department of Transportation and Public Works
Advancing the conversation on emerging technologies
Earlier this month, the DTPW team, led by Director and CEO Stacy L. Miller, had the opportunity to engage and exchange ideas with other mobility experts from across the country during the APTAtech conference, held at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach hotel. In partnership with the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), the department and Miami-Dade County welcomed hundreds of transportation industry leaders from the public and private sectors.
Director Miller took the stage as keynote speaker during the opening session and moderated an all-CEO panel that discussed challenges and opportunities in public transit during the CEO Roundtable Luncheon on the third day of the conference. Attendees explored topics like artificial intelligence, data governance, customer experience, and zero-emission vehicles. The event served as a dynamic platform for insightful discussions among industry leaders who are trailblazing the implementation of emerging technologies that can help improve rider experience, sustainability, and achieve digital transformation for all.
Mentorship celebrates a milestone
One year ago, the department launched its first ever Mentorship Program, a vital initiative aimed at fostering professional growth, skill enhancement, and career development among our employees. By pairing experienced professionals as mentors with those seeking guidance as mentees, the program creates a supportive environment where learning and personal development flourishes.
Earlier this month, DTPW celebrated the graduation of its first group of Mentees. From bus operators to administrative assistants and other professionals, the hard work and dedication of 23 mentees, as well as the invaluable support of their mentors, will help set the foundation for the future of our workforce. The department hopes that the program becomes a model for others to follow in county government.
It truly takes a village to maintain more than 5,500 miles of dedicated public roads in Miami-Dade. In 2024 alone, our public works team resurfaced 136 miles of roadway, filled 10,433 Potholes, and built or repaired 271 miles of sidewalks. Those are astounding numbers and thankfully, the team recently received a financial boost to improve driving conditions in an important corridor in West Dade that connects SW 42 Street to SW 56 Street along 142 Ave.
This month, Florida Senator Ana Maria Rodriguez and Representative Mike Redondo presented a ceremonial check of $2.1 million to Miami-Dade County. From these funds, $625,625 will go toward resurfacing improvements along the SW 142 Ave corridor, which will provide increased reliability and safety for drivers and the community. The County and the department’s public works team are extremely thankful to the Florida legislators for their continuous support of a better and safer Miami-Dade.
How are we doing? We want to know!
Your input today can directly shape what changes tomorrow. For a limited time, Miami-Dade Transit passengers, county residents, and visitors can share their thoughts on ways to further improve service by completing a short survey. Your feedback will influence Miami-Dade County’s Transit Development Plan (TDP) directly, which drives a strategic vision for public transportation in Miami-Dade.
The TDP evaluates DTPW’s existing transit system, identifies existing and future service improvements as well as capital investments, and in the end, creates a public transportation enhancement plan based on available funding. This year, the TDP is particularly significant because it will impact public transportation plans for the next five years and beyond. Give your feedback today!
Did you know that DTPW provides a low-cost Special Transportation Service (STS) to more than 40,000 certified clients in Miami-Dade County? This paratransit service provides critical access to residents with different abilities by offering door-to-door transportation. The service operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and can be used throughout most of Miami-Dade County; and behind it, there is a team of dedicated DTPW staff who make it all happen.
As part of their commitment to the community, the Paratransit Outreach Team participates in special events throughout the year to deliver service information about the paratransit STS program. The next event where you can get program details, including on-site applications, will be at the 2025 Disability Resource Fair at the Miami-Dade Youth Fair and Expo Center Fuchs Pavilion on Saturday, September 6, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Don’t miss out on valuable resources from more than 160 organizations, enjoy a sensory play area, and take part in educational sessions, interactive games and more.
Next stop: Miami Worldcenter Station
DTPW will soon reopen the completely renovated Metromover station adjacent to Miami Worldcenter, a world-class urban destination in Downtown Miami. The station, formerly known as Park West, was closed in January to allow several major renovations to take place before reopening with its new name Miami Worldcenter Station.
Among the many notable improvements is the installation of brighter, energy-efficient lighting throughout the station and surrounding areas - creating a safer, more welcoming environment, especially during evening hours. Additional station upgrades include new platform tiles with contemporary finishes for a sleek, updated look, as well as a renovated entrance canopy and refurbished escalator to enhance safety and passenger flow. The reopening of the Metromover station will mark another milestone in the department’s mission to create a more connected, accessible, and vibrant Miami-Dade.
Miami-Dade Transit makes it easier to save money through the nationally recognized EASY Perks program. All EASY Card or EASY Ticket holders can take advantage of great discounts from local participating merchants. This month, we are featuring Pinecrest Bakery, a Miami favorite. Enjoy 10% off your order at any Pinecrest Bakery location by showing your transit card – because getting around town should come with flavor. Visit Miami-Dade Transit’s EASY Perks website to get the full list of partners. From shopping to special events and more, there’s more to enjoy with EASY Perks.
Don’t forget, if you own a local business and would like to participate in this free program, signing up is easy. Just fill out the EASY Perks online application to get started, today!
Many of us have experienced the frustration of having to wait for extended periods of time when booking a share ride. Well, a new solution has arrived. In April, Miami-Dade County welcomed the launch of Curb Flow, a national system that brings together street hails, app bookings, and fleet dispatches into one platform. Through Curb Flow, ride share passengers can now book a ride and get service from licensed taxi providers, which in turn helps boost taxi drivers’ earning potential.
A true team effort, the County partnered with Curb to help facilitate the rollout by driving awareness and ensuring a smooth implementation with drivers within the existing transportation ecosystem. This integration is part of a broader effort to modernize local transportation and support Miami’s growing tourism industry. As a result, riders are seeing shorter waiting times and more consistent access to licensed taxis, while drivers are benefiting from more trips and reduced downtime.
DTPW’s planning team is working to advance a site development plan for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza Metrorail Station. The station is a key mobility hub in the heart of Model City, and it’s posed to serve as a business and community catalyst for the surrounding area. The team is currently evaluating infrastructure, public spaces, and mixed-use residential development to produce a preferred vision for the redevelopment of the demolished Metrorail station parking garage on the county’s property at that station.
The project goal is to create a transit hub that facilitates efficient transportation and serves as a vibrant, inclusive space for social and economic activities in the area. To do this, the DTPW team is gathering community feedback. Please let us know if you would like to be involved by emailing us at Info.MLKstation@miamidade.gov.
During this year’s Labor Day holiday on Monday, September 1, 2025, Miami-Dade Transit will provide weekend service on Metrorail and Metromover, and Sunday service on Metrobus and MetroConnect. Schedules and real-time information will be available on the GO Miami-Dade Transit app and other trip planning apps.
Miami-Dade County offices will be closed on Monday, September 1st, including all DTPW administrative, Customer Service, and Special Transportation (STS) offices. However, STS customers can call the reservation number (305-871-1111) to reserve or cancel an STS trip.
