A BRIGHTER FUTURE Accesibility to public transport not only opportunities in several fields. For example, affects the movement of citizens around the maintenence, operation and construction of city but also the overal quality of life countyrailways and vehicles are careers offered wide. in the public transit field. With government Metropolitan cities like Miami are more benefits and fixed salaries, these jobs benefit susceptible to issues such as air pollution all demographics, already employing 4,000 as opposed to rural areas, making the residents of Miami-Dade County. prioritization of the residents’ well-being vital. Public transit also allows low-income Air pollution is greatly affected by the residents to have greater access to the amenities greenhouse gases produced by motor exhausts, offered by the city. heightened by the amount of cars used in Whether going to necessary appointments highly populated cities or enjoying the many like Miami. public joys of Miami, DID YOU KNOW? The harmful effects of such as its recognized 39% of transit riders commute beaches, these gases are seen most many prevalently in Dhaka, households rely on over two hours, spending 36 Bangladesh, the city with public transport services minutes a day at a station the worst traffic on Earth, to move from place Source: Miami Dade Board of as reported by Bloomberg to place. Miami-Dade County Commisioners news. Due to cars County already provides emmitting greenhouse transport to 2.8 million gasses, Dhaka is at an all residents, only showing time air pollution high, and Miami could be on the potential of a more advanced system. the same route. On Nov. 13 2023, the city will While still emitting greenhouse gasses, attempt to reconcile with much of the need public transport would exponentially cut for expanded public transportation through the down its effects by allowing for thousands implementation of the Better Bus SHIFTS into of residents to rely on a smaller group of Gear Action Plan. According to Miami-Dade vehicles. According to a study conducted by County’s official website, the plan will provide the University of California, Los Angeles, more services to previously underserved taking public transportation can reduce carbon communities. dioxide emissions by 45% when compared to If succesful, the expanded routes and driving alone. opportunities will demonstrate public Public transportation also helps create transportation’s discreet power to impact employment, offering hundred of jobs Miami’s society. h
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If I were to take a bus from my mother’s apartment to my father’s, it would take 42 minutes. My parents places are only 15 minutes apart by car.
Elijah Cima, senior
Design by Juan Fajardo/highlights
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from the editor A city’s life is measured by its ability to get people moving. Every second counts. Miami’s public transportation system, therefore, plays a large role in this vital equation. A contrast from the rest of our 305, half-baked institutions, the busses and metros do not carry the same delusions of grandeur that characterize the relationship between this city and its public projects. Metro Stations are no Wynwood Walls. When the bus finally shows up and the doors beep open, the city opens and its surrounding absurdities are reduced to a blur. Here, the system’s potential is revealed. While bullet train efficiency is too much, it is not ridiculous to assume that the city fueled by walk-thru espressos can ride to a greener, faster future. Except for people whose parents pay their car bills, the desire for robust public transport exists in our pacey Sincerely, society.
Juan Fajardo Insight Editor
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I don’t really use public transportation because it is not convenient enough yet. I would use it if there were better routes and the buses came more often.
Alexandra Llanes, junior
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