Better Bus Network

Helpful Tips for Passengers

FAQs

• What is the Better Bus Network?

  A newly redesigned bus network for Miami-Dade County based on community input and a data-driven process. The new network was designed to be more useful for more people by increasing frequent service, creating easier connections, and improving evening and weekend bus service.

• What was the new bus network designed to accomplish?

  • Connect residents to more opportunities, including jobs and services.
  • Increase access to our main job centers, government and health services, and community and education centers.
  • Create a more affordable community by delivering frequent and reliable bus lines that may allow a family to reduce their dependence on cars.
  • Deliver more equitable service to communities of concern such as minorities, seniors, people experiencing poverty, and households with no vehicles.
  • Increase our community’s resilience and reduce congestion by improving the usability of the bus system and increasing transit ridership.
  • Create a more efficient system that is easier to use to make the best possible use of taxpayer dollars.

• Are there any additional adjustments being implemented? 

  Yes, certain enhancements have been implemented since the launch of the BBN such as expanded service zones for MetroConnect, a free, on-demand, shared ride service, as well as the interim Uber Voucher program.
  
  Starting April 29, we are increasing frequency, adding connections, updating running times, and adjusting some routes to provide more service for more people with more frequency. Learn more about the specific adjustments.
  
  Additionally, a new transportation mode called MetroLink will launch in June. This is a proof-of-concept project to address riders’ concerns in certain network areas using a shuttle service approach with smaller vehicles, providing important connections to other transit modes and key destinations. This new fixed route mobility solution is expected to address a service concern in Miami Beach, among other areas.

• Who is the new bus network helping?

  The new bus network was designed to improve service for the people who need it most, delivering equitable service that prioritizes seniors, low-income residents, minorities, and households with no vehicles. In sum, it benefits all residents by offering more transit options and getting cars off the street.

• How was the new network map devised?

  This 5-year process has involved collecting and analyzing data; surveying more than 5,000 people countywide; conducting over 140 direct outreach efforts in communities across the county; and meetings with major stakeholders including elected officials, department leaders, community organizations, and bus operators.

• What are the priorities of the new network?

  Every bus network has to balance a different set of needs, which are different across the network. For example, while some routes in the city center might attract a lot of riders and need more service, other routes farther in the County might not have as many riders but still provide an essential service. By utilizing data analysis and community feedback, we have balanced priorities between these competing goals. This leads to a more efficient network for as many people as possible while minimizing impacts to areas of the county that have relatively fewer transit riders.

• What can I do if the new route doesn’t take me directly to where I need to go?

  There are other convenient options for public transit riders such as:
  

  • MetroConnect, a free, on-demand, shared ride service providing support for some riders where needed for last-mile connections.
  • MetroConnect picks you up wherever you are, as long as you're within the service zone. Download the MetroConnect app or call 786-321-5842 to sign up and use the FREE, on-demand service. A MetroConnect will pick you up and take you to where you need to go within the service zones. Learn more about the FREE service at miamidade.gov/MetroConnect
  • Customer service hours may vary by zones. Please check the MetroConnect service information for the hours of operation in your zone.
  • Other options available for riders include connections through various local municipal trolleys or FreeBee https://ridefreebee.com/service-areas services available in certain County areas from Aventura to Homestead. 

• Have other cities redesigned their bus networks?

  Yes, cities across the country have successfully redesigned their bus networks (e.g.: Houston, Seattle, Richmond) and more cities are currently redesigning their bus networks too, including Boston, Atlanta and New York.

• Were there any routes eliminated as part of the network’s launch in 2023?

  Over 98% of all bus boardings prior to the network’s launch are still being served by a bus stop within a 5-minute walk. However, a small number of routes with very low ridership were consolidated or replaced with alternate service nearby. Many routes were simply renamed and are still in service.

• Why focus on redesigning the bus network as opposed to other forms of public transportation?

  Two out of three transit riders in Miami-Dade County use buses for their commute. Redesigning our bus network immediately improves transit service for the largest number of people. In a survey of over 5,000 bus riders, 85% of our survey respondents agreed that we should change the bus system so more people can get to more places faster. This is only one of the many transportation projects that Miami-Dade County is pursuing to improve public transportation and decrease congestion across the County.

• Did we talk to any transit riders about the new network?

  Yes! Better Bus was led by residents. The community outreach involved speaking with transit riders at terminals, through text messages, surveys and at community workshops. 

• Are there any routes serviced by contractors in the new network? 

  Some routes suited to smaller vehicles continue to be operated by contracted vehicles. Other routes have returned to County service in the new network.

• What is the “all-day” action plan?

  In a city like Miami, people have places to be all the time, even on weekends and late in the evening. One of the goals of the Better Bus Network is to have frequent, reliable bus service throughout the entire day, not just during peak hours. The route frequencies in the plan were designed to be consistent throughout the entire day, with many routes arriving frequently between 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

• What about the peak frequencies?

  The commute hours are where we see the highest passenger loads, so we provide additional peak-only service. The new bus network was structured with multiple routes overlapping to provide this additional service on certain street segments with high demand. 

• What about the trolleys?

  Trolley services are operated by local municipalities and not Miami-Dade County. These services will continue to be coordinated on an ongoing basis as each city improves their own route network.

• Is the new bus network a part of the SMART Program?

  The new proposed network aligns frequent bus service with future corridors of the Strategic Miami Area Rapid Transit (SMART) Program, improving service on these key corridors.