The results of a telephone poll taken to gauge actual voter sentiment regarding their preferred mode of mass transit along the 20-mile South Dade Busway were released on July 7. Residents in the cities polled are overwhelmingly in favor of rail instead of buses, and would even vote to repeal the 1/2 cent sales tax for transportation that was put in place in 2003 if the county doesn’t provide rail.
Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez has called for a vote on the matter Thursday July 19th at 1:30 pm, 111 NW 1st St., Commission Chambers, 2nd Floor. Concerned residents are encouraged to contact the Miami-Dade Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) at TPO@mdtpo.org and attend the SMART Plan meeting.
The poll results are as follows:
Palmetto Bay:
82 percent responded yes, the County did not keep their promise on the 1/2 cent sales tax.
83 percent indicated that they want rail.
74 percent would support repeal of the 1/2 cent transportation sales tax in the event we do not get rail.
Cutler Bay:
70 percent responded yes, the County did not keep their promise on the 1/2 cent sales tax.
77 percent indicated that they want rail.
75 percent would support repeal of the 1/2 cent transportation sales tax in the event we do not get rail.
City of Homestead:
60 percent responded yes, the County did not keep their promise on the 1/2 cent sales tax.
69 percent indicated that they want rail.
56 percent would support repeal of the 1/2 cent transportation sales tax in the event we do not get rail.
Florida City:
47 percent responded yes, the County did not keep their promise on the 1/2 cent sales tax.
80 percent indicated that they want rail.
60 percent would support repeal of the 1/2 cent transportation sales tax in the event we do not get rail.
“We polled our residents in Cutler Bay to ensure their voice was heard on this issue,” said Cutler Bay Mayor Peggy Bell. “We heard them loud and clear – Give Us the RAIL! Over 2 billion dollars have been spent in 16 years in more affluent communities, while our residents pay the same but only get inadequate bus service.”
District 8 Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava confirmed that repeal of the 1/2 cent sales tax eliminates funding for Palmetto Bay’s IBus, Cutler Bay’s Circulator bus, as well as the Golden Passport and Patriot Passport programs for seniors and veterans.
“Yes, the half penny is used for many useful programs,” she said.
Palmetto Bay Mayor Eugene Flinn agrees that funding would be lost, but only out of the 1/2 cent sales tax.
“New funding sources would have to be located, but there would be no pretense that the 1/2 cent is providing transportation enhancements, because it has not,” said Mayor Flinn. “There have been many bus routes cut, then only partially restored. This has caused an actual limitation on the mobility of seniors and veterans who rely upon the Golden Passport and Patriot Passport programs. Transportation has suffered in recent years and it is not the fault of the municipalities. It is certainly not the fault of the taxpayers who have been paying this money to Miami-Dade County since 2003.
“But no, Palmetto Bay will not lose its circulator service should we lose the 1/2 cent sales tax. We are reviewing alternative funding sources, which include traffic impact fees. Again, I do want to emphasize that there is no effort ongoing to repeal the 1/2 sales tax, but the responses are a good indication of the level of disappointment among South Dade residents. Promises were made, and the 1/2 cent sales tax has been paid since 2003, yet there is no sign that the promises of better transportation, the rapid transit, will be delivered. That just is not right.”
State Representative Kionne McGhee echoes the frustration of his colleagues. “Denying the North and South Dade communities the opportunity to experience MetroRail is simply a continuation of the county suppressing our abilities to have public access to the best of what Miami-Dade has to offer.”
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