District 11

Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU)

In hopes to alleviate vehicular traffic, reduce commuter travel time and fuel consumption, I have proposed the Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU).  The DMU is a form of commuter rail transit that is self-propelled with rail passenger cars that have internal diesel engines.   Each unit has a capacity of 165 passengers with a maximum speed of 65 MPH and would utilize existing rail tracks. 

What does this mean?  Unlike the Metrorail expansion that is expected to be completed by 2016.  The ability to use the existing rail tracks, allows the DMU to become operational as quickly as one year and as late as three years.  As such, Miami-Dade County is evaluating the existing CSX freight railroad alignment to provide commuter rail service from the southwest part of the county, in the vicinity of MetroZoo, to the future site of the Miami Intermodal Center. 

The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority/Tri-Rail would operate the service and discussions are underway with Tri-Rail, CSX and the Florida Department of Transportation to make immediate service along this corridor a reality.  In addition, enhancements to the existing track would include track upgrades, additional stations and double tracking to increase headways to 20 minutes.

This rail car is (1) clean---72% less pollution than a locomotive; (2) quiet---75% less noise than a locomotive and (3) cheaper to buy, cheaper to run and saves millions in infrastructure costs.