Miami-Dade Transit increases services as Miami-Dade County moves to a New Normal

As Miami-Dade County prepares to move to Phase I of its recovery efforts since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) is gearing up to implement further service adjustments beginning Monday, May 18, to support the limited reopening of certain non-essential businesses.

Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez announced Wednesday, May 13, the guidelines for Phase I of the County’s New Normal plan, which is slated to begin Monday. While ridership numbers decreased due to the safer at home orders and many commuters working from home, DTPW is preparing for a potential increase in passenger trips as Miami-Dade County begins its partial reopening.

At this time, transit fares and parking fees will continue to be waived and rear door boarding on buses will remain in place. Additionally, DTPW will continue its current high level of disinfecting transit vehicles and facilities. Metrorail and Metromover stations will continue to be sanitized three times per day and buses will be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized throughout the day.

Transit service adjustments include increasing frequencies for Metrorail, Metromover, and supporting a high frequency network of Metrobus routes. DTPW will be increasing the number of vehicles in service to balance ridership demand, increased frequencies, and social distancing needs. The department will continue to monitor passenger loads in real-time and dispatch additional standby buses to address any possible fluctuations in demand. Rear-door boarding will continue to be in effect.

These adjustments will assist with social distancing for passengers while on board a bus or train. Social distancing and face covering requirements will remain in place, and the department will continue to observe these orders. To further support these efforts, signs are being installed to serve as guidelines on Metrorail and Metromover vehicles to create one-way circulation paths.

The Phase I transit adjustments include:

• Metrorail weekday service: 10-minute peak frequency, and 15-minute off-peak frequency.
• Passengers heading to the Miami Airport station will need to continue to transfer at the Earlington Heights station for the Orange Line train. Orange line trains will run every 15 minutes all day.
• Metromover weekday service: 5-minute frequency all day long.
• Service hours for Metrorail and Metromover remain the currently adjusted 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. at this time.
• Select Metrobus routes will have their service restored to their regular pre-COVID-19 schedules.
• High-demand routes will have frequencies added to their pre-COVID-19 schedules throughout the day if needed.
• Late night service for Metrobus routes 3, 11, 27, 38, 77, 112, 119, 246, and 500 will continue to be suspended. Riders will still be able to use the Go Nightly program to request a late-night trip for these routes between midnight and 5 a.m.
• Visit the transit service updates page for full details.

This move to a New Normal for Miami-Dade County still includes asking residents to wear face coverings while out in public for the safety of everyone, especially while riding Miami-Dade Transit. Violators may be subject to removal from the system. Additional security guards will be stationed throughout the transit system to help with face covering and social distancing requirements.

DTPW first adjusted public transit service on March 20, with additional adjustments implemented throughout the following weeks. The department will continue to monitor all federal, state, and local guidance as to which current measures, if any, may be relaxed, enhanced, or amended in any way. Additionally, DTPW will continue to monitor service demand in real time and make any necessary adjustments as needed.

The department will continue to follow the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Florida Department of Health (FDOH), and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Miami-Dade County to ensure the actions being taken are comprehensive and appropriate.

Customers and employees are advised to follow the guidelines, recommendations and actions being taken by Miami-Dade County in response to COVID-19. Visit miamidade.gov/newnormal for the latest reopening information.