Miami-Dade Launches Longest US All-Electric Bus Rapid Transit

Miami-Dade County recently launched the Metro Express, the longest all-electric Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in the U.S., spanning 20 miles from Florida City to Dadeland South. The $300 million project, part of the Strategic Miami Area Rapid Transit (SMART) Program, features 14 modern stations with amenities such as air conditioning, real-time arrival displays, free Wi-Fi, and bike storage, and offers faster boarding through prepaid tickets and multiple boarding doors on 60-foot electric buses equipped with charging ports and bike racks. The system includes dedicated lanes, signal priority, and rail-style gate arms to improve travel speed and safety, aiming to deliver rail-like convenience at a fraction of the cost. Despite its promising infrastructure and environmental benefits, the launch faced initial operational challenges, including delays and red-light timing issues, which officials attribute to an adjustment period to be resolved. The Metro Express is designed to enhance regional mobility, reduce carbon footprints, and support economic growth and transit-oriented development for over 200,000 residents and 11,500 businesses along the corridor.