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Citizens Independent Transportation Trust outlines transit funding, project priorities for Miami‑Dade and cities
Summary
Javier Bettencourt, executive director of the Citizens Independent Transportation Trust, told the Miami Gardens City Council that the half‑penny surtax has generated nearly $5 billion to date and summarized how funds are allocated and which corridors are advancing.
Javier Bettencourt, executive director of the Citizens Independent Transportation Trust, briefed the Miami Gardens City Council on Jan. 22 about the county’s two‑decade‑old half‑penny sales surtax and the status of regional and municipal transit projects.
Bettencourt said the surtax — approved by voters as the People’s Transportation Plan (PTP) — has raised nearly $5 billion over more than 20 years, with roughly two‑thirds going to Miami‑Dade Transit, about 20% distributed to cities on a pro rata basis, and under 10% to roadway projects. He said less than 1% funds the CITT office for oversight.
Why it matters: Bettencourt said the PTP funds remain central to the county’s long‑range transportation strategy and that cities such as Miami Gardens use their share for local circulators, traffic calming and other transit improvements that support regional mobility.
Bettencourt walked council members through the county’s “smart plan” corridors — South, Beach, East‑West, Kendall, Northeast and North — and summarized progress and funding status. He described the South Corridor as under construction as a high‑quality bus rapid transit line, noted the Beach and East‑West corridors remain under evaluation, and said the Northeast corridor has funds aligned, including a federal commitment of about $400 million reported late last year. He said the North Corridor remains planned as elevated Metrorail and is the most expensive project, with studies under the Florida Department of Transportation and no federal commitment yet.
On municipal programs, Bettencourt praised Miami Gardens’ use of its annual PTP allocation of about $7 million, saying local ridership on the city trolley improved 11.6% year‑over‑year. He said many cities run fixed‑route circulators and on‑demand services and that municipalities are increasingly connecting those services to the county network.
Bettencourt said the CITT’s mission is oversight: to monitor, audit and review how county and municipal PTP funds are spent and that the trust has audited Miami Gardens “several times” and found the city in full compliance.
On funding outlook, he said the county has produced a 40‑year pro forma and an $8 billion transit pro forma, but that more money will be needed to complete all promised projects. He urged continued pursuit of federal, state and local funding and described first‑/last‑mile connections, smart traffic signals and customer experience improvements as ongoing priorities.
“We need to look under every rock to make all of this happen,” Bettencourt said, adding the trust has launched outreach such as an ambassador program and a podcast to inform riders and gather feedback.
Council response: Mayor Rodney Harris said the council would follow up with questions, and Bettencourt offered to provide additional data on request.
Ending: Bettencourt closed by offering to answer further questions and encouraging council members to refer constituents to the CITT website for detailed financial tables and to consider ambassador recruitment for rider feedback.
