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Commission weighs reviving island circulator, trolley extension and water-taxi stops
Summary
Officials discussed restoring a 20-passenger island circulator, negotiating limited Miami Beach trolley service onto the causeway, water-taxi stops and a long-range Vertiport concept — cost and ridership were flagged as key constraints.
North Bay Village commissioners discussed transit options on March 3, ranging from a small local circulator (previously nicknamed the "frog hopper") to potential trolley and water-taxi links with Miami Beach, and a longer-term Vertiport plan.
Frank described the prior island circulator program (a 20-passenger vehicle) that ran a regular route through the islands and provided shopping and medical-trip service; commissioners said it was popular for seniors and families. He and the mayor said Miami Beach estimates extending the trolley service onto the causeway would require two trolleys and cost roughly $1.4 million a year to meet a 20-minute headway; the commission discussed an alternative to use a local circulator as a feeder and limit trolley trips to scheduled windows as a cost-control measure.
The mayor said staff have begun conversations about including North Bay Village in a later phase of the county water-taxi and that the village is considering a possible water-taxi stop. Commissioners also discussed a Vertiport proposal (electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles) and a potential public–private partnership to site docks and a landing at village marina property; officials characterized the Vertiport as a long-range, exploratory project requiring county and FDOT coordination.
Next steps: staff will prepare route options and ridership estimates for the commission and continue coordination with Miami Beach and county partners on trolley, water-taxi and Vertiport concepts.
