South Miami reviews Metro Connect options to preserve local transit fares

Via/Metro Connect staff briefed the commission on alternatives after the county instituted a $3.75 standard fare on Metro Connect. Juliana (Via) outlined three options: (1) continue under the county Metro Connect program but distribute vouchers to make SoMi rides free for targeted users; (2) create a South Miami subservice inside Metro Connect that would appear as a branded option in the app and allow control over fare policy and limited zone/hours (and could broker rides to Uber/Lyft for additional supply); or (3) build a fully independent South Miami service with its own app, vehicles and rules — a more flexible option but with larger budget and procurement implications.

Commissioners expressed greatest interest in Option 2 (subservice) as the closest fit to retain app continuity while enabling local fare control but asked for more details on the broker model, expected marginal cost relative to Uber/Lyft direct contracting, and the legal/contractual implications given recent county changes. The mayor asked the city attorney to advise on the commission’s contractual posture with the current vendor and whether termination, modification or brokered subservice options are permissible under the existing agreement.

Juliana said subservice can incorporate caps (rides per person or per month) to manage budget burn‑rate and can broker general requests to Uber/Lyft while reserving wheelchair requests for Via‑operated vehicles. Commission requested a cost estimate and recommended steps to keep ridership from dropping while exploring a local branded option.