Miami-Dade County Opening New Electric Bus Operations Center, Supporting 100 EV Buses

Miami-Dade County will open its new South Dade Transit Operations Center (SDTOC) in Homestead on November 23, 2026, marking the county’s first major transit garage facility in 40 years and creating more than 270 jobs in South Florida. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, November 18.

Located at 12805 Biscayne Drive, the facility will support a fleet of 100 articulated battery-electric buses, consolidating vehicle storage, charging, maintenance and daily operations at one location.

Construction began in June 2024. According to the Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW), the project represents a major investment in modernizing public transportation infrastructure and is the first facility of its kind in the United States.

The 20-acre center encompasses approximately 218,600 square feet and includes rapid charging infrastructure for 100 electric buses, maintenance bays, mechanical workshops, parts storage, bus washing facilities, administrative offices and employee parking.

Additional amenities include training rooms, a wellness center, employee lounges and a pedestrian bridge connecting the parking and operations buildings.

The facility incorporates several sustainability features, including solar components, a reclaimed water system for bus washing and landscaping with more than 45 species of native trees, plants and wildflowers. It is also designed to function as an emergency command center for DTPW during major storms and other emergencies.

Supporting South Dade’s Expanding Transit Network

The operations center will play a central role in supporting the Metro Express Bus Rapid Transit service connecting Florida City with the Dadeland South Metrorail Station.

The service operates along the approximately 20-mile South Dade TransitWay corridor, part of Miami-Dade County’s Strategic Miami Area Rapid Transit (SMART) Program, which aims to improve transportation connections throughout the county.

The TransitWay serves one of Miami-Dade’s fastest-growing areas, offering commuters an alternative to driving between southern communities and the broader public transportation network.

Existing maintenance infrastructure presented challenges to expanding electric bus operations. The Coral Way maintenance facility, approximately 30 miles from the South Dade TransitWay, reached capacity, increasing operational demands and the distance buses needed to travel for servicing.

The new center will bring maintenance and charging closer to the TransitWay, reducing unnecessary vehicle travel, improving operational efficiency and helping return buses to passenger service more quickly.

$266.9 Million Investment in Public Transportation

The project is funded through Miami-Dade County’s People’s Transportation Plan Bond Program.

In 2024, the Board of County Commissioners approved an approximately $245.8 million construction contract with NV2A Dragados JV. The county also authorized a separate professional services agreement worth up to $21.1 million with CDM Smith Inc. for construction, engineering and inspection services.

Beyond modernizing transit infrastructure, the center is expected to generate more than 270 jobs in the greater Homestead area, supporting bus operations, maintenance and other transportation-related services.

The investment also advances Miami-Dade County’s climate action strategy, which includes reducing transportation emissions and transitioning to cleaner public transit vehicles.

Manufactured by New Flyer, the battery-electric buses operate without tailpipe emissions, helping reduce local air pollution while expanding public transportation options.

The South Dade Transit Operations Center will provide the charging, maintenance and operational infrastructure needed to support Miami-Dade County’s growing electric bus fleet and future transit expansion.