Miami-Dade County's Transportation Committee approved Enterprise Leasing Company of Florida to continue operating the county's vanpool commuter program, keeping 237 active vans on the road and serving 1,354 registered commuters across Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties.

What did Miami-Dade just approve for commuters?

The Transportation Committee voted to renew its contract with Enterprise Leasing Company of Florida to supply vehicles, maintenance, and related services for the county's vanpool program, which is administered by South Florida Commuter Services and funded through grants from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The program has operated continuously since its March 2017 launch and has drawn $12.4 million in FTA grants over that span.

  • Enterprise Leasing Company of Florida provides the vans and handles maintenance under the renewed contract.
  • South Florida Commuter Services organizes and administers the program on behalf of Miami-Dade County.
  • Total Federal Transit Administration funding received since March 2017: $12.4 million.

How does the Miami-Dade vanpool program actually work?

Participants in the South Florida Commuter Services vanpool program self-organize into groups of seven to fifteen riders, choose a driver from within the group, and commute together as a shared unit — functioning more like a cooperative carpool than a traditional transit route. The model reduces the burden on Miami-Dade's road network while offering commuters a lower-cost alternative to solo driving.

  • Groups range from seven to fifteen riders, self-selected and self-managed.
  • Each group designates its own driver from among its members.
  • The program spans three counties: Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach.

Why does federal funding matter for this program's future?

The $12.4 million in Federal Transit Administration grants collected since March 2017 has been central to keeping rider costs manageable and sustaining Enterprise Leasing Company of Florida's role as the fleet and maintenance provider. Federal vanpool funding typically flows through FTA programs that incentivize reducing single-occupancy vehicle trips, making the program's continued federal eligibility a key variable for its long-term viability.

What does this mean for South Florida commuters right now?

For the 1,354 commuters currently enrolled, the contract renewal means no disruption to daily service — their routes, vehicles, and cost structures remain in place under the same provider. South Florida Commuter Services continues to serve as the organizing body connecting potential riders and helping form new vanpool groups for commuters interested in joining.

Original reporting on this contract renewal was first published by Miami Today.