Miami-Dade County

A new rapid transit option has launched in South Dade. See what it looks like

By Miami Herald staff

This week, Miami-Dade launched a new transit line from Florida City to Dadeland, a much-anticipated $300 million project.

The 20-mile rapid-transit bus line on U.S. 1 was designed to make bus commutes faster and more convenient. Passengers pay in advance, allowing for quicker boarding. Dedicated lanes mean the Metro Express buses can avoid the normal flow of traffic. New technology is meant to help the buses breeze through intersections, with computer-operated traffic lights in the bus lane that turn green as a bus approaches and gates that block cars from running red lights as the bus goes by.

Though excitement about the first day of Metro Express service Monday was hampered by delays and technological glitches, county officials said the problems are part of the adjustment period and will be ironed out moving forward.

READ MORE: ‘These lights are way too long.’ Bumpy debut for Miami-Dade’s new transit system

Here’s what the new BRT — bus rapid transit — system looks like:

An unidentified commuters, left, enjoys the cool waiting area of the Coral Reef Drive station on the first day of Miami-Dade's $300 million rapid-transit bus line known as “Metro Express” on Monday, October 27, 2025, just west of Richmond Heights on Coral Reef Drive and U.S. 1. Many first day riders complained about crowded buses and long travel times due to red lights on the express lane.
A commuter enjoys the cool waiting area of the Coral Reef Drive station on the first day of Miami-Dade's $300 million rapid-transit bus line known as Metro Express on Monday, Oct. 27, 2025. Carl Juste cjuste@miamiherald.com
Bus commuters rush to the Coral Reef Station (152nd Street Station) after standing at the local 52 bus stop to later scurry to board the Metro Express on the first day of Miami-Dade's $300 million rapid-transit bus line known as “Metro Express” on Monday, October 27, 2025, just west of Richmond Heights on Coral Reef Drive and U.S. 1. Many first day riders complained about crowded buses and long travel times due to red lights on the express lane.
Bus commuters rush to the Coral Reef Station on the first day of Miami-Dade's $300 million rapid-transit bus line known as Metro Express on Monday, Oct. 27, 2025. Carl Juste cjuste@miamiherald.com
An unidentified electric scooter operator illegally uses the express bus lane on the first day of Miami-Dade's $300 million rapid-transit bus line known as “Metro Express” on Monday, October 27, 2025, at the 152 Street Station just west of Richmond Heights on Coral Reef Drive and U.S. 1. Only buses are allowed in the express lane all other vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists are prohibited and are subject to fines.
An electric scooter operator enters the express bus lane on Monday, Oct. 27, 2025, at the 152nd Street Station, just west of Richmond Heights on Coral Reef Drive and U.S. 1. Only buses are allowed in the express lane; all other vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists are prohibited and subject to fines. Carl Juste cjuste@miamiherald.com
Several screens display the arrival of northbound and southbound Metro Express buses at the 152 Street Station on the first day of Miami-Dade's $300 million rapid-transit bus line known as “Metro Express” on Monday, October 27, 2025, just west of Richmond Heights on Coral Reef Drive and U.S. 1. Many first day riders complained about crowded buses and long travel times due to red lights on the express lane.
Several screens display the arrival of northbound and southbound Metro Express buses at the 152 Street Station on Monday, Oct. 27, 2025. Carl Juste cjuste@miamiherald.com
A express bus exits the station only to stop for a red light on the first day of Miami-Dade's $300 million rapid-transit bus line known as “Metro Express” on Monday, October 27, 2025, as it exist the 152 Street Station just west of Richmond Heights on Coral Reef Drive and U.S. 1. Many first day riders complained about crowded buses and long travel times due to red lights on the express lane.
An express bus exits the 152nd Street Station on the first day of Miami-Dade's $300 million rapid-transit bus line known as Metro Express on Monday, Oct. 27, 2025. Carl Juste cjuste@miamiherald.com
A general view of an electric bus on the boarding platform of the Metro Express BRT station at SW 168th Street on the South Dade TransitWay in Miami, Florida, Wednesday, October 1, 2025.
A general view of an electric bus on the boarding platform of the Metro Express BRT station at Southwest 168th Street during a test run on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025. Sam Navarro Special for the Miami Herald
A view of a gate arm by the Metro Express BRT station at SW 152nd Street on the South Dade TransitWay in Miami, Florida, Wednesday, October 1, 2025. Gate arms will come down to alert drivers and pedestrians when a bus is coming.
A view of a gate arm by the Metro Express BRT station at Southwest 152nd Street on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025. Gate arms come down to alert drivers and pedestrians when a bus is coming. Sam Navarro Special for the Miami Herald
A view of a gate arm by the Metro Express BRT station at SW 152nd Street on the South Dade TransitWay in Miami, Florida, Wednesday, October 1, 2025. Gate arms will come down to alert drivers and pedestrians when a bus is coming.
A view of a gate arm by the Metro Express BRT station at Southwest 152nd Street. Gate arms come down at red lights to allow buses to drive through intersections on the busway. Sam Navarro Special for the Miami Herald
A bus waits for a green light on a dedicated bus lane by the Metro Express BRT station at SW 152nd Street on the South Dade TransitWay in Miami, Florida, Wednesday, October 1, 2025.
A bus waits for a green light in a dedicated bus lane by the Metro Express BRT station at Southwest 152nd Street during a test run on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025. Sam Navarro Special for the Miami Herald
Metro Express commuter Gabriel Moreno, 37, center, exits the crowded bus in favor of empty bus as he makes his way to work on the first day of Miami-Dade's $300 million rapid-transit bus line known as “Metro Express” on Monday, October 27, 2025, just west of Richmond Heights on Coral Reef Drive and U.S. 1. Many first day riders complained about crowded buses and long travel times due to red lights on the express lane.
Metro Express commuter Gabriel Moreno, 37, center, exits a crowded bus in favor of an empty bus as he makes his way to work on the first day of Miami-Dade's $300 million rapid-transit bus line known as Metro Express on Monday, Oct. 27, 2025. Carl Juste cjuste@miamiherald.com
Commuters Vernon Huggins, 49, left, left, and Kevin Larson, 28, right, both use electric devices as part of their transit experiences on the first day of Miami-Dade's $300 million rapid-transit bus line known as “Metro Express” on Monday, October 27, 2025, just west of Richmond Heights on Coral Reef Drive and U.S. 1. The pair are disappointed in the travel time of the Metro Express buses as many first day riders complained about crowded buses and long travel times due to red lights on the express lane.
Commuters Vernon Huggins, 49, left, and Kevin Larson, 28, right, ride the Metro Express on Monday, Oct. 27, 2025. Carl Juste cjuste@miamiherald.com

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