Traffic solutions must flow beyond our busy roads. The City of Miami Beach is embracing its natural advantage. Surrounded by water, we are turning to water transit. Last week, during Art Basel, we successfully showcased this vision with free shuttles and water taxi vessels connecting Miami Beach and Miami. Water taxis offer a clear alternative to congested streets and parking troubles. They connect our cities, ease traffic, and create a more enjoyable way to travel.
My vision is straightforward. Reliable service. Convenient stops. Free rides that build a community and invite participation. The benefits ripple outward. This is not a short-term experiment. Since 2020, I have been working on a long-term plan to expand service from South Beach to North Beach, creating a continuous waterborne corridor.
Funding remains a challenge. A full regional network would cost millions annually. The City’s FY 2025/26 budget is $1.2 million, supported by a $600,000 FDOT grant and a $600,000 City match. To stay within budget, the city negotiated a commuter-focused plan with Water Taxi of Fort Lauderdale. Their experience ensures professional operations, safety, and strong passenger service. The commuter service is expected to begin in February 2026. It will test demand, prove reliability, and prepare for expansion.
Other global cities have already demonstrated the benefits of water transit. London’s Thames Clippers and New York City’s Ferry have shown how waterborne transportation can connect neighborhoods. Miami Beach can join these ranks, proving that our waterways are not just scenery, but a vital part of our mobility network.
But expansion cannot happen alone. Miami-Dade County, the City of Miami, and state and federal agencies must join in. Regional cooperation is essential. Shared funding will allow the service to prosper, strengthen connections, and deliver the full promise of waterborne transit. This is more than a local project. It is a regional solution. It requires investment. By pooling resources, partners can help the service reach more neighborhoods, connect more commuters, and reduce traffic. South Florida’s congestion problem demands bold solutions. By looking to our waters, Miami Beach is charting a new course. The water is our path forward.
