Miami-Dade County's Metrobus fleet reaches major milestone

Last week, the Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) received the last Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) bus from the latest order of 140 New Flyer buses. With the arrival of the 140th New Flyer CNG, the County’s total number of CNGs is now 560 vehicles, which is approximately three quarters of the entire active Metrobus fleet of 767 buses.

“The purchase of these CNG Busses is another major milestone for our public transportation system,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “These new, low-emission buses will shrink our County’s carbon footprint, increase the reliability of our transportation system, and reduce our dependency on petroleum-based fuel, all while lowering our maintenance costs. This accomplishment is one of the many ways that Miami-Dade County is improving transportation for our residents and visitors and we look forward to building off this success!”

The purchase of the 560 CNG buses is one of the most aggressive bus-replacement programs in Miami-Dade County’s history. In 2018, DTPW was operating one of the oldest diesel bus fleets in the United States. At that time, the average age of the Metrobus active fleet was 11.9 years. With the arrival of the 560 CNG buses to the County, the current age of the Metrobus active fleet is now approximately 3.7 years.

The CNG fleet is providing a more comfortable, reliable, and quieter ride for the County’s Metrobus passengers and it is helping generate a positive fiscal impact to the County.

“Our modern and sleek 40-foot CNGs are helping to improve the transit experience for our riders,” said Jimmy Morales, Miami-Dade County’s Chief Operations Officer. “In addition to that, these vehicles are producing long-term fuel cost savings for the County and lowering our Metrobus fleet’s maintenance cost by reducing parts and labor expenses for the repairs of older buses. I congratulate the department for reaching this important milestone.”

The department received its first order of 300 CNG buses, manufactured by New Flyer, between January 2018 and October 2019. Soon after, another 120 CNG buses, manufactured by Gillig, were delivered to DTPW. Delivery of the latest shipment of the 140 New Flyer CNGs started in November 2020.

Metrobus operates 365 days a year connecting passengers to Metrorail, Metromover, major shopping, entertainment, and cultural centers, as well as hospitals and schools from Miami Beach to West Miami-Dade and from Broward to the Middle Keys.

For more on DTPW services, visit miamidade.gov/transit or download the GO Miami-Dade Transit app. Stay connected and follow the department on social media on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Join Mobility 305 to receive monthly news and other departmental updates.