The City of Miami creates pathways to prosperity for families, individuals, and small businesses in need

Miami, Florida, is known for its beautiful beaches and thriving nightlife, but the city also works to promote equitable growth for residents, providing support to those who are most in need. To achieve this, the city’s Department of Human Services delivers a broad range of services—including low-cost daycare, health initiatives, outreach to unhoused people, low-cost business resources, and employment support—that aim to create pathways to prosperity for families, individuals, and small business owners across the city. “We’re really focused on building healthy, thriving communities,” says Michael Roman, a Community Partnerships & Strategy Manager for the City of Miami. “Our job is to unify resources—internally and externally—to help people become self-sufficient.” Miami’s robust family support and workforce initiatives have helped lower unemployment in Miami to 2.5% in Q1 2025, well below the area's long-term average.

City of Miami Department of Human Services, by the numbers

455,000

residents in the city of Miami

20+

job fairs and employment-support programs promoted to city residents annually

1,250+

Uber vouchers shared with the community in 2024

Transportation access with vouchers helps create a stepping stone to success

With lack of transportation emerging as one of the most pressing barriers to economic stability, the City created Miami Connect. This program, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), helps constituents explore and use a range of mobility options to get themselves to and from job-related events and other critical appointments. This is where Uber for Business comes in.

Through the Uber for Business dashboard, Roman’s team can create—and have complete control over—the vouchers they provide to constituents for convenient, reliable access to transportation.

The program is about more than access, though. “We’re not just handing out rides,” Roman explains. “We’re helping people learn how to manage their ongoing transportation needs. Uber rides are just one component of a bigger transportation strategy that includes helping people understand and access the wide range of ground transportation options found in the city, including public transit, local rail, biking infrastructure, as well as on-demand rides.”

“Uber rides are an essential part of our transportation strategy. The vouchers program is easy to use and helps us maintain ARPA compliance.”

—Michael Roman, Community Partnerships & Strategy Manager, City of Miami

Targeted rides that support opportunity

Uber rides are a favorite option for many constituents. In 2024, the City of Miami Opportunity Center distributed more than 1,250 Uber vouchers, with most focused on transportation for workforce development. The vouchers help residents get to and from job interviews or new-hire onboarding, and they’re also distributed for city-run events like job fairs and training sessions.

Because many program constituents are new to Uber, the team at the Opportunity Center helps them download the Uber app, create an account, and learn how to use the Uber app effectively. “That’s part of the empowerment, too,” Roman says. “They’re not just getting from point A to point B—they’re learning a new skill, and working with a popular digital tool, to help them navigate the city more confidently.”

“I had just started a new job and wasn’t familiar with the bus routes in that area. The free Uber rides helped me get to work during those first 2 weeks while I figured out the best transit options. It made the transition so much less stressful.”

—Maria S., 42, Little Havana resident

Designed for flexibility and accountability

Roman’s team creates and manages vouchers using the Uber for Business dashboard, a simple tool that gives the City complete control over their Uber vouchers program. The team can define Uber ride parameters including travel radius, service hours, and number of uses. For special events, they can create vouchers that are valid only for rides to and from a designated location within a specific date and time window.

The dashboard also provides real-time visibility into voucher usage and overall spending by the program, helping the City ensure that the program remains compliant with ARPA funding guidelines. “It’s easy to track and adjust as needed,” Roman says. “We know exactly how our resources are being used, and we only pay for actual rides taken.”

Uber has become a trusted partner in public service

Roman credits the Uber for Business government team with making the collaboration a success. “They’ve been extremely responsive and open to feedback,” he says. “If we run into a technical issue or have a feature request—like when we asked for help limiting ride options to more sustainable vehicles—they’ve been super responsive and helpful.” For the City of Miami, Uber for Business is more than just a logistics solution; it’s also an effective tool that supports the City’s larger mission of empowerment, equity, and access. “This isn’t just about getting people a ride,” Roman says. “It’s about helping them move forward in an increasingly digital world.”

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