Here we go again. We have been talking about transportation in Miami-Dade for years. We talk about traffic. We talk about getting people out of their cars. We talk about buses and trains and how we need a better system. Then we go right back to the same problems. So I have a simple idea. If Miami-Dade is going to ask voters for another transportation sales tax, let’s stop thinking small. Don’t ask for another half-penny. Ask for one full penny — and make public transportation free for everybody.

It is too late to do this for the 2026 election. Fine. Let’s make it a 2027 idea. We have time to get the numbers right, put the facts on the table and tell the people exactly what they are getting for that penny. How much goes to operating the system? How much goes to fixing it? How much goes to expanding it? What are we collecting in fares, and what does it really cost to collect that money? Don’t ask taxpayers for more money until you can answer those questions.

But there is a bigger question here. Why do we charge people to use public transportation in the first place? We don’t charge people every time they drive on a County road. We don’t charge them every time they check out a library book. We don’t charge them to use most parks. We don’t charge them when they call the police or fire department. We pay for those things together because they are public services. So why shouldn’t we think about transportation the same way?

Especially when we keep telling people to get out of their cars and take transit. Think about that. We are asking people to leave their cars at home, help reduce traffic and use public transportation — and then we charge them to do it. There is something backwards about that.

We already have people riding free or at reduced fares. Seniors, students, people with disabilities and others qualify for programs that reduce or eliminate fares, and Metromover is free. So we already have a partially free system. We have just made it complicated. Why? If public transportation is good for Miami-Dade, why not make it good for everybody?

And I want to know the real number on fares. If the County collects tens of millions of dollars, how much of that is actually left after paying to collect it? Fare equipment, technology, vending machines, credit-card processing, cash handling, maintenance, customer service and administration all cost money. If you eliminate fares, you eliminate some of those expenses too. Then you have increased ridership, potential federal funding, less traffic, cleaner air and more people moving around Miami-Dade. Put all of that on the table. Let’s see the real math.

And this is not just about people who ride the bus or train. If you never use public transportation, you still benefit. Every person on a bus or train can be one less car sitting in front of you. Better transportation helps workers get to their jobs, students get to school, families get to doctors, customers get to businesses and people get around our community. Mobility is economic development. More people moving means more people working, shopping, eating, visiting and spending money.

So let’s stop doing transportation halfway. If we are going to ask Miami-Dade taxpayers for another penny, give them something they can understand. One penny to properly fund transportation. One system that works. No fares. Everybody rides.

We have time before 2027. Get the numbers. Show the public where every dollar goes. Make the plan clear. Then put it before the voters.

Maybe they say yes. Maybe they say no. That is up to them.

But let’s finally give Miami-Dade voters a big idea instead of another half-solution.

One penny. One transportation system. No fares. Everybody rides.

Questions & statements text Grant 305.323.8206 or grant@cnews.net