A proposal to end free rides on a commuter train that runs around downtown Miami and increasingly glitzy high-rise neighborhoods died on Wednesday after being debated in a transportation committee.
The proposal was being pushed by Miami-Dade County Commissioner Barbara Jordan.
The Miami Herald reports that Commissioner Jordan has said it's unfair for Metromover's 10 million annual passengers to ride for free while lower-income passengers on other rail and bus services pay fares starting at $2.25.
Metromover rides have been free since 2002 when voters approved a sales tax increase for local transit. Other transit initiatives such as a rail system expansion were promised to voters but never materialized.
Resistance to the proposal was strong Wednesday, and it didn't make it to a committee vote.
County Mayor Carlos Gimenez has opposed any Metromover fare.
