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Miami-Dade County’s Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) has announced the implementation of the Better Bus Network (BBN) through the rollout of the “Better Bus SHIFTS into Gear” plan on Nov. 13.
Led by Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava’s administration and recently approved by the county commission, the bus redesign is the greatest bus service optimization in four decades. It aims to reach more people with greater frequency, more effectively connecting riders to jobs, education, healthcare and quality of life.
“The Better Bus Network is the key to building a faster, stronger, more reliable bus system in Miami-Dade that connects people to not only their destination, but also to opportunity and a better quality of life,” Mayor Levine Cava said. “I am excited to finally see this one-of-a-kind, community-led plan be put in motion, and thank our board of county commissioners, Transit Alliance Miami, all the employees in DTPW, and especially our bus operators, for making Better Bus a reality.
This community-led effort creates better access and an improved rider experience across Miami-Dade County. According to JWA (Jarrett Walker and Associates), the county’s partner and their work and expertise, the average resident can reach nearly 12,000 more jobs in 45 minutes of travel time or less. That’s a 28 percent increase over the current network.
In fact, more than half a million residents will be able to reach at least 20,000 more jobs by transit in 45 minutes or less on weekdays. Two-thirds of low-income residents will be able to reach at least 1,000 more jobs by transit within 60 minutes on Saturdays. That’s over half a million low-income residents with better access to jobs on Saturdays.
“The heart and soul of the county’s public transportation is our bus system,” said Miami-Dade County District 5 Commissioner and Transportation, Mobility, and Planning Committee chair Eileen Higgins. “I am thrilled that we are weeks away from rolling out the fully redesigned Better Bus Network. Hundreds of thousands of residents will now live near higher frequency bus routes with improved connections to other routes and Metrorail. The goal is simple — to offer residents better access to quality jobs, education, and healthcare — by getting them where they need to go quickly and efficiently.”
Riders and the community are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the new Metrobus Network changes by visiting the Better Bus web page and using the trip planning tool before the changes take effect in November. Beginning in October, DTPW and community volunteers are available at major hubs to assist riders during peak times. Additionally, updated signage is now visible at bus stops and transit hubs across Miami-Dade County.
“Delivering safer, more efficient, reliable and sustainable Metrobus service, thanks to Better Bus, will allow us to take a giant leap forward in attaining our vision of becoming a leading public transportation agency in Florida and the country,” added Eulois Cleckley, DTPW’s director and CEO. “We are grateful for having visionary leaders and an engaged citizenry to advance our plans and solutions.”
Miami-Dade Transit riders are encouraged to stay apprised on any service changes by signing up for Rider Alerts at http://www.miamidade.gov/alerts and to learn more about the Better Bus SHIFTS into Gear action plan by visiting DTPW’s website at https://www.miamidade.gov/global/transportation/better-bus-project.page.
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