Miami-Dade Half Penny Tax! Public Transportation Expansion?! Where Is the Money Going?

I’ve been thinking a lot about traffic in Miami lately. It feels like we spend more time on the road than actually getting things done. That got me wondering: what ever happened to the half-penny tax we passed for public transportation improvements and expansion? Let’s take a closer look at where that money is going and whether it’s making a real difference.

The Origin Story of the Half-Penny Tax
Back in 2002, voters in Miami-Dade approved a half-penny surtax to fund the People’s Transportation Plan (PTP). The goal was to fix overcrowded roads and improve public transit. This led to the creation of the Citizens’ Independent Transportation Trust (CITT), designed to ensure transparent use of funds. Promises included expanding Metrorail lines in areas like West Dade, Kendall, and North Dade, along with boosting bus routes and upgrading roads and infrastructure.