Miami probes why trolley routes are late
Miami commissioners demand to know why a plan to launch three trolley routes stalled. Commissioner Francis Suarez also wants to know why a directive to operate the Coral Way trolley until 11 p.m. wasn’t followed.
In May 2015 the commission directed the launch of routes in Little Havana, Wynwood and Coconut Grove within six months. What began as a routine inquiry on the expansion Jan. 14 ended with commissioners shaking their heads in frustration.
Mr. Suarez said, “We approved an expansion, a doubling of the trolley program months ago, and I’d just like a status update on that. Because that was a very hard-fought – for the community – expansion, and one that I hope will be deliverable for this year, as a transit expansion… it better be.”
“This year?” said Commissioner Frank Carollo. “No, within the next few months.”
“Sure, within the next few days as far as I’m concerned,” said Mr. Suarez. “And I think there are ways we can expedite that process, if it’s an issue of purchasing trolleys, or anything of that nature. I feel like we haven’t done much since we went through that fight… the administration hasn’t done anything since we approved those three lines.”
Jeovanny Rodriguez, capital improvements and transportation director, said: “We’re working with the procurement department now, commissioner, to order the trolleys… that’s going to take – it’s at least an eight-month process … to be able to get those. With the current fleet that we do have we talked about maybe expanding operations into the new areas, maybe on the weekends–.”
Mr. Suarez interrupted, telling Mr. Rodriguez to report fully today (1/28). “This is going to blow up.”
He strongly advised Mr. Rodriguez to call the trolley vendor immediately to get them rolling “right away.”
DC Copeland
January 27, 2016 at 10:31 am
This is a text book example of bureaucracy at its worst. Eight months to place an order for trolleys. Wonder if that included the months just after the commission ordered new trolleys? If not, add another 7-months of inaction. You’d think if funding is available, a simple phone call is all it would take to the trolley maker whom I’m sure is eager to place the order.
Of course, a cheaper and faster way would have been to strike a deal with some jitney drivers to pay them to expand their fleet and to put them on the county payroll to keep the rides to the public free.
gregory
January 27, 2016 at 9:37 pm
How about the city of Miami do away with the trolley and gives those funds back to the county for they could expand the metromover to city hall….
Melissa
February 1, 2016 at 6:31 pm
If the trolleys were ordered in May 2015, we’d be all set. What was the issue in follow-up with the directive? That should be cause for concern- what else may have ‘slipped through the cracks’? Can’t just say NOW ‘It will take 8 months to order’, when directive was given 8 months ago!