As a resident of Miami, I, along with my neighbors, relatives, and friends, have experienced the grueling reality of traffic congestion in our city. Whether it's commuting to work, visiting the beach, or traveling during large events, it is not uncommon for us to spend hours on the road — just to travel a mere 7-mile distance. 

During Art Basel weekend, we had a glimpse of a potentially effective solution: the water taxi. It was a success, serving both residents and visitors, providing a free and enjoyable way to move across the bay. Little is being done to mitigate the ongoing congestion issues while we wait for the approval of the bay link metro service. The introduction of an accessible and affordable water taxi system could provide the relief we so desperately need.

Take New York City as an example. Their Metropolitan Transportation Authority provides low-cost ferry service, enabling easy and affordable transit for all residents, charging a nominal one-way fee of $4.50. We believe that affordable, well-structured waterway transit could also work wonders for Miami, reducing traffic, allowing for quicker access to emergency services, and providing an effective alternate to stuck-in-traffic buses. 

Imagine that you or a loved one have a medical or physical emergency while stuck on the causeway. There is no way to turn around, no exits like off the highway. You are quite literally stuck until traffic is able to move. This is a very dangerous reality that can hinder individuals to travel to the beach at all, at the risk of being blocked from getting the care they need. We have already seen the dangerous effects of keeping people stuck on Rickenbacker causeway following the roadway closure on Key Biscayne in April 2024. We cannot continue enabling the potential for disastrous situations to repeat themselves.

We are not only residents, but also caretakers of this beautiful city, and we deserve to keep our days from being hampered by traffic frustration. That's why we are calling for the maintenance and, more importantly, the development of a low-cost water taxi system between downtown Miami and Miami Beach. Sign this petition to support this cause, and help us make Miami a more accessible, less congested city for everyone.