REIMBURSEMENT FOR DISCONTINUED I-95 EXPRESS ROUTES

Board of County Commissioners · 2026-07-21 · resolution

Resolution authorizing $3,896,702 in Charter County Transportation Surtax Bond Program funds to reimburse the Miami-Dade Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) operating fund for a payment to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for depreciated value and unauthorized mileage on 15 buses originally purchased for the discontinued I-95 Express Bus Service routes. The routes were permanently discontinued in March 2020 due to ridership decline during the COVID-19 pandemic and bus operator shortages. The buses were redeployed to other routes, which was inconsistent with FDOT grant requirements. FDOT requested reimbursement on September 9, 2024; payment was remitted January 12, 2026. The item was deferred from July 21, 2026 to September 1, 2026. The Transportation Committee forwarded it with a favorable recommendation on June 9, 2026. The project was added to the FY 2026-30 Five-Year Implementation Plan of the People's Transportation Plan. The scope is countywide, but the discontinued routes primarily served District 3 and District 5. The total purchase cost for the 15 buses was $8,139,630, funded through FDOT Grant G0350 and approved by Resolution No. R-936-16. The buses were placed into service in January 2017 and operated on Routes 195/295 and 196/296, connecting Broward Boulevard and Sheridan Street to Downtown Miami and the Civic Center. The total FDOT reimbursement request for 28 buses is $9,658,133.83; this item addresses the $3,896,702 portion for 15 buses under Grant G0350. The balance of $5,761,431.83 relates to other procurements. The item is placed for review pursuant to County Code Section 29-124(f) and requires CITT review. No public comment or stakeholder sentiment is stated in the document.