Miami-Dade commissioners endorse new regional transit agency

Miami-Dade commissioners unanimously endorsed plans for a new rail transit agency in cooperation with Broward and Palm Beach counties, reported The Miami Herald. The new agency would expand Tri-Rail and improve bus and rail connections across county lines. The three counties will next year ask the state legislature to create the new transit authority by expanding the mandate of the Tri-County Commuter Rail Authority, which runs Tri-Rail, reported the Herald. Under their proposal, it would raise $8.3 million a year through a $2-per-car surcharge on tag renewal fees. The unified regional front may help persuade federal officials to send more transit money to South Florida.