LTC 380-2013 Implementation of Miami-Dade Transit Tracker m '
MIAMI BEACH
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LETTER TO COMMIS91O
TO: Mayor Matti Herrera Bower and Me bers of the ity Commission
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FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager -
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DATE: October 18, 2013
SUBJECT: I MPLEMENTATION OF "MIAM -DADE TRANSIT TRACKER ( "NEXT BUS ")
MOBILE APP SERVICE FOR THE SOUTH BEACH LOCAL
The purpose of this Letter to Commission (LTC) is to provide information on an ongoing
collaborative effort between the City and Miami -Dade Transit (MDT) to expedite the launch of
_ . the Miami -Dade Transit Tracker (Next Bus) mobile app service for the South Beach Local
(SBL).
MDT Tracker is the County's proprietary free mobile app available for use on iPhones and
Android phones that provides users with accurate, comprehensive, and real -time transit
information on selected routes on the County's transit system. Currently, the MDT Tracker can
only provide real -time transit information for Metrorail service and a new enhanced bus service
that operates along 'Kendall Drive known as the Kendall Cruiser /Route 288. MDT anticipates
phasing -in the implementation of other bus routes throughout the County within the next couple
of years.
Once this service is available on the SBL, • users will have access to accurate, real -time
information on this popular circulator service. The mobile app will allow users to see the
estimated arrival time of the next SBL bus, store their favorite SBL bus stops as. favorites, see
the location of the SBL bus on a map and visually track it as it approaches their bus stop. In
addition, the app allows users to:
• Obtain bus schedules by bus stop - this is the first time bus riders can obtain this type of
- specific information without the help of a customer - service agent.
• Obtain station information such as connecting bus routes.
• Locate nearby bus stops, as well as Metrorail and Metromover stations.
• View the status of elevator and escalator service at Metrorail and Metromover stations.
'Plana trip on transit using Google.
• View fare information.
View'Metrobus, Metrorail and Metromover system maps.
• Submit comments and suggestions regarding a transit experience.
• Access important MDT contact telephone numbers.
The quick and convenient accessibility of real -time and accurate transit information has proven
to. increase. , ridership on transit systems as well as improve the experience of transit riders as a
result of better transit service reliability. According to MDT, more than 50,000 transit riders have
already downloaded the mobile app. The City Administration is confident that making this
technology available on the SBL will help to promote public transit and improve ridership and
service reliability on the SBL.
MDT currently has an existing contract with a wireless service provider for its Transit Tracker
service. Based on preliminary discussions with MDT staff, it is anticipated that IT infrastructure
costs, primarily modems and ancillary equipment, would be approximately $25,000 for the
LTC -VDT Tracker Mobile App Service for the South Beach Local
Page 2 of 2
existing fleet of eleven (11) SBL buses. This amount would be a one -time only cost. The
monthly wireless service is anticipated to cost approximately $40 per month. If desired by the
City Commission, the mobile app service can be expanded to include other significant MDT
routes -in the City of Miami Beach such as Route 150 (Airport Flyer) and Routes 115/117 (Mid -
North Beach Circulator). In order for the City to contractually partner with MDT in this endeavor
and contribute towards the cost of implementing the service on the SBL, an Interlocal
Agreement between the City and Miami -Dade County will be required.
The Administration will continue to update the Mayor and City Commission via LTCs as
discussions between staff and MDT advance on this initiative.
Plase feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
KGB /ETC /JRG
F: \WORK \$ALL \(1) EMPLOYEE FOLDERS \Jose R Gonzalez \LTC \MDT Tracker Mobile App Service for the South Beach Local