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Committee asks staff to study on‑demand water taxi options and return in September
Summary
Commissioners discussed an idea for private on‑demand water taxis to supplement the city's water taxi. Transportation staff identified public docking candidates (Maurice Gibb Memorial Park floating dock, Miami Beach Marina subject to Suntex) and flagged code and concession issues. Committee asked staff to explore locations including North Beach and return in September with a feasibility memo.
Commissioners discussed a proposal to solicit private on‑demand water mobility services (an app‑based water taxi model) that could supplement the city's existing free water taxi. Jose Gonzalez, Transportation & Mobility director, said private operators typically dock at private marinas or at publicly managed docks under concession agreements; identified public options included Maurice Gibb Memorial Park floating dock and the Miami Beach Marina (which is operated under a lease with Suntex).
Why it matters: On‑demand water mobility could provide additional north–south connectivity and reduce road congestion during peak weekend demand, but it raises operational, procurement and code questions. Gonzalez said some existing code restrictions on private charter operations may need revision and that certain public docking locations are constrained by existing concession agreements.
Key discussion points: Commissioners asked staff to investigate North Beach pickup locations (Bonita Drive street end and 69th Street near the fire station were proposed), to study minimal capital‑cost docking options, and to assess whether private operators would build modular docks and partner under public‑private arrangements. Staff also said any use of Maurice Gibb Memorial Park or Miami Beach Marina would require either a concession procurement or permission from current operators.
Committee action: The committee deferred the item to September to allow staff to return with a location assessment, potential code amendments required, and an understanding of service overlap with the city—ree water taxi. Several commissioners signaled support for a pilot that includes North Beach service and requirements for private operators to invest in infrastructure where feasible.
What comes next: Transportation staff will map candidate docking points, assess code constraints, and provide a procurement path and draft RFP or concession approach for committee review in September.
