Committee backs modified trolley contract that reduces costs and ties Collins Express purchases to county review

The Finance & Economic Resiliency Committee on Oct. 15 recommended that the full commission approve a revised approach to the city’s municipal circulator contract that lowers projected operating costs while preserving the system’s core service.

Staff warned that the administration’s recommended vehicle (a 40‑foot Gillig bus styled as a trolley) would raise annual operating costs by about $5.4 million if implemented as proposed. Jose (CFO) and transportation staff presented options to reduce the delta, including selecting the standard Gillig bus (rather than the higher‑cost trolley package), reducing daily hours of operation, buying fewer spare vehicles, and using smaller (30‑foot) buses on lower‑demand circulator routes while reserving larger vehicles for the busiest route, the Collins Express.

Transportation staff explained the options’ potential savings: changing the vehicle type and reducing spare purchases and service hours together could cut several million dollars from the projected deficit. Staff estimated a combination of the measures could reduce the budget gap materially and extend the transportation fund’s runway; if all four options are taken the fleet could remain cash‑flow positive beyond 2031 in the model presented.

The committee also discussed advertising revenue, which outfront media and the city’s vendor reported brings roughly $180,000 a year from vehicle signage; teams noted the policy ban on alcohol advertising and increased availability of digital billboards have reduced demand for transit vehicle ads. Mike Curente of Limousines/Outfront said “the fact that you observed advertising on about half of the trolleys is simply a function of demand.” Transportation staff said they will continue discussions with Outfront to increase utilization and revenue potential.

County coordination is a key condition: Miami‑Dade County is reviewing duplicates between municipal circulators and county routes and requires an interlocal agreement; staff warned the county may require that the county’s route take precedence where duplication occurs. The committee made the Collins Express vehicle purchase contingent on county concurrence to avoid buying vehicles for a route the county may preempt.

After debate, the committee voted to refer the contract to the full commission with a recommendation to pursue the cost‑reduction package: select the Gillig bus option, reduce hours of service initially, reduce the new spare-vehicle purchase, use smaller buses on certain circulator routes, and make Collins Express purchases contingent on county approval. Staff emphasized the contract and related funding plan must be forwarded to the Oct. commission meeting to preserve current vendor pricing.