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Microtransit boosts transit connections to strengthen an entire network

Miami-Dade County uses first- and last-mile microtransit to improve coverage and reduce private vehicle reliance.

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63%
of trips are to or from a transit stop
82%
of trip proposals contained a bus journey
60%
ridership growth from 2022-2023

The bottom line.

In 2020, the county introduced MetroConnect, an on-demand service that improves access to grocery stores, healthcare facilities, and educational opportunities by offering first- and last-mile connections to existing fixed-route transit. The service has grown to 11 zones that fill transit gaps and cover 1 million+ potential riders. 

Tell me more.

MetroConnect was built for inclusivity, providing wheelchair-accessible vehicles along with a mobile app available in English, Spanish and Creole. As a fare free service, it is an essential option for riders — 42% of whom make under $25k annually. 

As the service has grown, it has become more efficient and innovative. The cost-per-ride decreased by 23% between 2022 and 2023 while also introducing the largest on-demand public AV service in the United States.

Instead of having a four-mile fixed route with 20 bus stops, now we have a dynamic route with a hundred stops, which covers more people and helps connect them to opportunities.

Carlos Cruz-Casas, Chief Innovation Officer, Miami-Dade County

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Additional resources.

To learn more about Miami-Dade's service, check out the following articles:

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Location
Miami-Dade County, Florida
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Geography
Urban
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Use case
First- and last-mile microtransit