Miami-Dade County expands on-demand transit service

Miami-Dade County’s Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) has expanded its on-demand transit service, doubling the area previously covered.

The expansion of the MetroConnect service – formerly known as GO Connect – was approved by the county in July, with the rollout of new services starting earlier this week.

“Launching GO Connect during the pandemic was a testament to our adaptability and resilience, and its success has been a shining example of what we can achieve even in challenging times,” said DTPW Director and CEO Eulois Cleckley.

“With MetroConnect, we’re building on that success. We aim to expand our reach, ensuring that even more areas of our community experience the many benefits this innovative transportation solution has to offer.”

How it works

The shuttle van service will operate Monday to Friday, from 6.30am until 7pm and is free of charge.

Using the MetroConnect app, riders can book a ride to be paired with others going in the same direction.

The shuttle meets passengers wherever they are as long as it is within the service zone, and includes vehicles for those with accessibility issues.

Since its inception in October 2020, the service has increased the community’s access to 57 percent more jobs within a 45-minute commute by connecting people to Miami-Dade Transit hubs, according to the DTPW.

The average MetroConnect rider books 10 trips per month and 65 percent report that they do not have access to a car.

The current fleet of just under 40 vehicles is expected to increase by10 by the end of the year, according to the county.

Priority trips

Speaking to Cities Today, Carlos Cruz-Casas, Chief Innovation Officer at DTPW, explained the rationale behind providing the service for free and said that trips that connect to a major transit service will be prioritised.

“Our current fare policy calls for local circulators and shuttles to be at no cost to the user due to the fact that the majority of trips are connecting riders to other transit services and Miami-Dade already has a free transfer between services.

“The department will continue to monitor the growth of the service and re-evaluate the approach next year as a new implementing order gets introduced for the arrival of our new state-of-the-art Bus Rapid Transit.

“The programme also allows us to restrict certain trips that could be better served by walking or by a fixed-route service using real-time transit information – all in all, it is a step in the right direction to help provide better service.”

MetroConnect will retain its partnership with transit tech firm Via for the project.

The county says the expansion is part of its Better Bus SHIFTS into Gear plan, which aims to offer Metrobus services for more people with greater frequency, as well as providing greater access to jobs and education.

Additionally, Via and DTPW are working together with autonomous vehicle company May Mobility to include AVs in the Dadeland area later this autumn.

Image: Via/Miami Dade