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North Miami details PTP-funded local projects: trolley, traffic calming, pedestrian bridge
Summary
The City of North Miami told the Citizens' Independent Transportation Trust it used PTP surtax funds for trolley/circulator service, sidewalk repairs, a pedestrian-bridge replacement and traffic-calming devices, and reported ridership and community-engagement results from pilot on-demand services.
Steven Marcellus, interim transportation manager for the City of North Miami, briefed the Citizens—s Independent Transportation Trust on Jan. 29 about projects funded with People—s Transportation Plan (PTP) surtax revenues and municipal transportation programs.
Marcellus said North Miami uses a 20/80 split of its PTP allocation for transit versus roadway projects. "We use our 20%, which is 774,369.60¢ for our trolley service... our circulator service, our freebie service, our on demand, and our bus shelter maintenance," he said, and described the 80% roadway allocation supporting resurfacing, tree-raising, traffic calming studies and a pedestrian-bridge replacement.
Trolley and on-demand service: Marcellus said Nomi Express (the municipal circulator) operates four weekday fixed routes using four cutaway vehicles and that the city launched an on-demand Freebie pilot in July 2023. He reported total ridership of roughly 40,000 for the pilot year with a monthly average near 3,000 rides; average wait times were about 30–40 minutes. The city added two additional Freebie vehicles after receiving a grant in October 2024.
Traffic calming and pedestrian bridge: Marcellus described a traffic‑calming outreach program begun in late 2023 that collected about 1,200 unique website users and 383 comments, plus 464 stakeholder emails, and documented 234 problem locations. Proposed treatments include speed tables, raised sections, raised sidewalks and feedback signs. He highlighted a pedestrian bridge replacement project (noted as a priority for accessibility and safety), and said the city will re-bid the bridge work with hopes to begin construction in the coming year.
Tree-raising and lighting: Marcellus said the city is using PTP funds to raise tree canopies to improve sight lines and reduce risks at intersections. He said the city is working with Florida Power & Light to convert older street lights to LED to increase illumination and address safety concerns from members.
Vendor operations and partnerships: When asked about trolley operations, Marcellus identified Limousine of South Florida (LSF) as the vendor operating the trolleys. He said the city coordinates routes and transfer points with neighboring municipalities, including North Miami Beach, to improve connections to regional transfers such as Golden Glades.
Why it matters: North Miami is using municipal PTP funds for a combination of transit access, safety and quality-of-life projects. The city emphasized community engagement and data-driven traffic-calming priorities as central to project selection.
Ending: North Miami staff welcomed CITT assistance with community engagement and said they will coordinate with county staff for a future presentation before the city commission.
