CITY OF HALLANDALE BEACH

MEMORANDUM

DATE:             June 4, 2008

TO:                  D. Mike Good, City Manager

FROM:            William M. Brant, P.E., Director, Public Works, Utilities and Engineering

SUBJECT:     Transit Improvements and Hallandale Beach Minibus Connection with Hollywood AR #053/05

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this agenda item is to recommend a connection between the community bus systems of the City of Hollywood and the City of Hallandale Beach.

BACKGROUND:

Over the past four years, the City of Hallandale Beach has experienced a dramatic increase in ridership in its community minibus routes.  Ridership has risen from 3,822 in February 2005 to 14,347 in February 2008.  Though there are a number of important factors that have contributed to this dramatic increase, one factor is the connection of the community bus systems of Hallandale Beach and Aventura.

Currently the Hallandale Beach minibus has a stop at Aventura Hospital, a few blocks south of Hallandale Beach.  This stop enables bus patrons not only to access the hospital, but also to connect to the Aventura community bus system, which services the Aventura Mall and numerous other locations in the community.

DISCUSSION:

It is anticipated that a connection of the City of Hallandale Beach community bus system with the City of Hollywood system will be beneficial for both cities.  First, it will enable the residents of both communities to enjoy expanded accessibility to the communities.  Furthermore, by increasing the options of transit patrons, it will encourage more transit use.  This, in turn will help relieve congestion in our communities.  Finally, congestion relief not only has beneficial traffic implications, but it also enhances sustainability and reduces air pollution and production of greenhouse gases.

Currently the City of Hallandale Beach’s minibus service accesses Mardi Gras Gaming and Hollywood’s trolley service accesses Young Circle when it is in season.  Consideration should be made to extend the Hallandale Beach system further north, to extend the Hollywood system further south, or both.

RECOMMENDATION:

Authorize the respective staffs of Hallandale Beach and Hollywood to work together to determine the optimal connection point for the two transit systems and to make the changes required to effect this alteration of routes.

Reviewed:

_______________________________                                                          __________

D. Mike Good, City Manager                                                                             Date

_____Approved                _____Disapproved                _____Hold for Discussion