Eli Stiers Appointed to Citizens' Independent Transportation Trust (CITT)

Stiers Law, P.A. is pleased to announce that Eli Stiers has been appointed to the Citizens' Independent Transportation Trust (CITT) as a representative of the Miami-Dade County League of Cities.

The CITT is the independent board created to oversee spending of the half-penny transit surtax that Miami-Dade County voters approved in 2002 to finance transit improvements - better known as the People's Transportation Plan (PTP). The Office of the CITT currently receives approximately $250 million annually in surtax revenue to oversee for transit-related spending, and helps envision the future of Miami's transportation needs through its members' use of business or professional knowledge, skills, and experiences.

As Miamians know too well, the planned expansion of Metrorail never came to fruition, and the original PTP plans to add six new rail lines and over 88 miles to the Metrorail system never materialized. Meanwhile traffic in Miami-Dade has only gotten worse, with little in the way of relief.

Fortunately, a number of exciting transit solutions are on the horizon, and the CITT is playing an integral role in fulfilling the promise of the PTP. From purchasing a new fleet of state-of-the-art Hitachi Metrorail cars, complete with Wi-Fi and integrated bike racks at a cost of $376 million, to the recent completion of the Orange Line extension to Miami International Airport, the CITT is delivering results.

What truly excites Stiers, however, is the chance to work on expanding commuter rail service and connecting our community, finally realizing the vision of the original PTP. The newly proposed Strategic Miami Area Rapid Transit (SMART) plan aims to build out the original six lines envisioned by the PTP, in part by using these surtax monies as they were intended.

Moreover, the opportunities to participate and capitalize on the construction of several new "big idea" transit projects in Miami-Dade County - including All Aboard Florida, the Tri-Rail commuter expansion to downtown Miami, and the Baylink connection between Miami and Miami Beach - are happening right now.

"People are so desperate for transit solutions, these projects are going to be welcomed and I think they'll be wildly successful. Once they come online, it will be like the first dominoes to fall, and everyone is going to want to buy in." says Stiers.

An accomplished trial attorney and community advocate, Stiers looks forward to lending his voice to the CITT. "It's an exciting time to be a part of the CITT, as we are going to play a pivotal role in bringing lasting change to our community. The future is now in Miami, and I'm excited to lend my voice and experience to help define that future."