Streamlining county government without sacrificing service
Since becoming your County Mayor, I’ve worked hard to balance our budget and build a government that delivers efficient, effective services that residents need to thrive. Together, we have made historic investments to tackle the affordability crisis, grow our economy, deliver essential services including public transportation, and make our community one of the safest in the nation. And we did all this while cutting the tax rate two years in a row, bringing the combined tax rate to the lowest level since 1982.
But today, we are confronting a new and historic budget gap, nearly half of it driven by the required expansion of our county government through five new independent constitutional offices. At the same time, we are experiencing losses in state and federal revenue, rising costs, and increased demand for our services – all in one fiscal year. This truly is a perfect storm, and to close the gap, we had to make some difficult choices.
Nonetheless, I’d like to reassure you that my proposed budget will continue core government services, including full service for public transportation. To deliver on this guarantee, we will follow my WISE305 blueprint for a streamlined county government.
I invite you to learn more about what’s in the budget because every choice we make is a reflection of our shared priorities as a community. Stay tuned for details on our budget town halls and hearings.
Together, let’s continue building a Miami-Dade that works for everyone.
Yours in service,
Daniella Levine Cava
Mayor, Miami-Dade County
Innovation in action: delivering rapid transit service and much more
There are many exciting things happening at DTPW and Miami-Dade County now that we are rolling into the last quarter of the fiscal year. Soon, we will deliver a major milestone for the residents of Miami-Dade County: the Metro Express Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service launching on the South Dade TransitWay — the nation’s longest battery-electric BRT system, spanning 20 miles with rail-like gate arms for traffic lights preemption and priority to ensure our BRT vehicles move quickly and safely from Homestead to the Dadeland South Metrorail Station.
Additionally, we have the honor of hosting the 2025 APTAtech Conference – a premier national event that each year brings together transit and technology leaders to explore cutting-edge advancements in fare collection, cybersecurity, mobility, and innovative technologies that will shape the future of public transportation.
In partnership with the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), we are hosting the conference at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach hotel from August 3rd through the 6th. I am looking forward to engaging with mobility experts from peer agencies and the private technology and transportation sectors at the conference. The event will serve as a platform for collaborative discussions highlighting Miami-Dade County's progress and initiatives in transportation and technology.
Together with our workforce of 4,000 plus employees and under the guidance of Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and our County leaders, I look forward to continuing to deliver a safe, reliable transportation network for Miami-Dade County.
Thank you,
Stacy L. Miller, P.E.
Director and CEO
Department of Transportation and Public Works
Great news for Miami Downtown commuters
DTPW is putting the final touches to reopen the completely renovated Metromover station adjacent to Miami Worldcenter, a world-class urban destination in Downtown Miami. The reopening of the station marks another milestone in the department’s mission to create a more connected, accessible, and vibrant Miami-Dade. 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 most 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. This project reflects our commitment to smart, efficient government and to investing in infrastructure that moves our community forward.
This month, DTPW’s Passenger Transportation Regulatory team was recognized by the National Association of Counties (NACo) for their innovative and industry-leading work to curtail the alarming increase in illegal ride-share drivers who target unsuspecting passengers at major tourist locations throughout the Miami-Dade County.
The rise of unlicensed for-hire vehicles in recent years, particularly those operating outside rideshare platforms like Uber and Lyft, led to increased complaints from the for-hire industry, local municipalities, and government officials. These unlicensed vehicles pose safety risks, compete unfairly with licensed providers, and create challenges for enforcement agencies. As a result, DTPW’s Passenger Transportation Regulatory staff established the Interjurisdictional Enforcement of Unlicensed Transportation Providers program to train and work together with local law enforcement agencies. Since 2020, the program has successfully trained over 159 police officers and conducted 92 joint enforcement operations resulting in safer ride-share transportation throughout the county.
Through the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza Station Site Development Study, 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 plans to evaluate transit 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.
To do this, the DTPW team is gathering community feedback, and 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 station’s area. As part of the planning process, DTPW held an informal open house community meeting at the MLK Office Plaza on July 22 to gather feedback from area residents and business owners. Additional meetings will be held to discuss plan options and the preferred plan. For more information about the upcoming meetings or this project, please write to Info.MLKstation@miamidade.gov.
Parents beware of bargain-priced school bus services
Hundreds of thousands of students will start a new academic year in a few weeks and many parents may be looking to hire a private bus to get them to school. But parents beware! Bargain-priced private school bus services may often not be licensed to operate. Before these drivers are issued a license, they must meet eligibility qualifications such as driving record and criminal background checks. They must also pass training courses.
DTPW manages these aspects of the for-hire transportation industry to ensure the protection of children as well as the safety of others on the road. Find out if you can trust the person behind the wheel of a private school bus with your child by contacting the department’s Passenger Transportation Regulatory Division. Parents can also familiarize themselves with private school bus safety tips here.
Taj Duncan - Leading by example every step of the way
When Taj Duncan first joined the Department of Transportation and Public Works in 2005 as a Transit Information Clerk, she had no idea just how far that journey would take her. Over the years, her career evolved across divisions and county departments, from helping residents navigate the transit system to becoming a leader in the 311 Call Center as a Senior Specialist and eventually a supervisor. In April 2024, Taj found her way back to DTPW, now in a new chapter, but with the same heart for service.
Today, Taj serves as a Service Center Supervisor 2 at DTPW, overseeing the EASY Card Services Financial Call Center. She leads by managing daily operations and ensuring her team has the tools they need to succeed. She also monitors call flows to keep wait-times low and personally steps in when issues require extra care.
Her leadership is grounded in one of the values she lives by: “God governs my workplace.” That same spirit carries into her life beyond work, where she’s a proud mother of four and grandmother of three, a praise and worship team leader at her church, cheer director for her local Super Pee Wee sports league, and classroom volunteer. Whether at work or in the community, Taj Duncan shows up with heart, and she leads by example every step of the way.
Start the new school year the smart way
It’s back-to-school season and DTPW is making it easier to help alleviate some of the back-to-school traffic woes with its special program passes. Students in K-12 who attend public or private schools in Miami-Dade County can ride at half price with the K-12 EASY Card.
College students can also ride Miami-Dade Transit at half price regular fare with the College Discount Pass. Select participating universities have digitized their college pass and it is now available for purchase via the GO Miami-Dade Transit app. Be sure to log in to the app using your school email account. These great savings make it easier for parents and students to score an A+ before the first day of school, so don’t delay and apply today. So, don’t delay and apply today.
PAXy is a local nonprofit partner whose goal is to promote cultural arts, and to educate and raise awareness of the arts and its benefits. Through one of its most popular programs - Wake up Miami! - PAXy will help connect Miami-Dade Transit riders and the community to music, art, and fun this summer and fall.
PAXy will showcase a variety of captivating Wake up Miami! concerts and performances at the Government Center Metrorail/Metromover Station, turning it into a fun-filled center of artistic expression each Monday starting at 8:30 a.m. through September 29. The events are always free, so stop by and check them out during your Monday morning commute. Wake up Miami! not only exposes Miami-Dade Transit riders to the arts; but also provides performance opportunities for our local artists.
