THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT AND TRANSIT DIVISION RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTIONS.
This item supports the Board’s Value for "[C]ooperatively creating an efficient and accessible regional intermodal transportation network" by providing additional funding to improve and enhance the transit system.
The Transit Division (BCT) is requesting approval of a supplemental Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Joint Participation Agreement (JPA) that will provide $3,830,486 in additional funding for continued operations and maintenance of the I-95 Express Bus routes. The costs to operate and maintain the routes are funded by grants, as well as farebox revenue.
As background, at its January 8, 2008 meeting (Item No. 56), the Board approved Broward County Transit Division’s (BCT) participation as a key partner for the transit component of the I-95 Express Urban Partnership Agreement (UPA) between the US Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and FDOT Districts 4 and 6. Phase 1A of this UPA project converted the northbound high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes along I-95 in Miami-Dade County from I-195 to the Golden Glades Interchange into high occupancy toll (HOT) lanes. Tolls are variable priced based upon demand and collected electronically via "SunPass" transponders. Phase 1B converted the southbound I-95 lanes in Miami-Dade County from the Golden Glades area to just north of S.R. 836. Phase 2 converted the lanes from Golden Glades to I-595 in Broward County. As part of the overall project, BCT implemented an express bus system (I-95 Express) in cooperation with Miami-Dade Transit that transports commuters from Broward County to Miami-Dade County using the HOT lanes.
BCT began operating the I-95 Express service during morning and afternoon peak traffic hours weekdays between Pembroke Pines and downtown Miami in January 2010. In January 2011, an additional 95 Express route was added between Miramar (Miramar Transit Center) and downtown Miami with stops along the Miami Civic Center business district. The service was so popular that standing room only loads were common on the 60-foot articulated buses used for the service and additional buses and frequency was added to the service with supplemental funding from FDOT.
On September 10, 2015 (Item No. 27), the Board approved a JPA with FDOT for $2,885,909 in grant funds to provide additional funding for operations and maintenance of the 95 Express Bus Services. On October 25, 2016 (Item No. 6), the Board approved the first supplemental JPA in the amount of $2,536,830 for continued funding of the service. On June 6, 2017 (Item No. 54) the Board approved supplemental JPA No. 2 in the amount of $3,358,995. This supplemental JPA No. 3 provides $3,830,486 for the service, for a total amended JPA amount of $12,612,220.
This supplemental JPA has been reviewed and approved as to form by the County Attorney’s Office. County approval of the Resolutions and execution of the supplemental JPA is required prior to FDOT executing said agreements. |