Miami-Dade County Leaders Budget US$20 Million for VT Repairs

Leaders in Miami-Dade County, Florida, have put US$20 million in this year’s proposed budget for repairs to the vertical-transportation (VT) system serving Metrorail and Metromover platforms, CBS News reports. Miami-Dade County’s Department of Transportation & Public Works (DTPW) said some of the 17 elevators and escalators that are out of service will be repaired as soon as this week. Due to supply-chain issues and labor shortages, others will have to wait until at least 2025, according to DTPW. Disabled users of Metrorail and Metromover expressed anger, and Miami Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said her administration has been trying to “make up for lost time on elevator and escalator maintenance” as it works closely with DTPW and vendors. The $US20 million represents a 57% increase in spending on VT repairs versus last year. Both the mayor’s office and DTPW said accessibility is their top priority, with DTPW adding that 97% of its VT conveyances are operational systemwide currently.