Miami-Dade County to open new electric bus facility, creating more than 270 jobs

Miami-Dade County is preparing to open a new electric bus operations center in Homestead, marking its first major transit garage facility in 40 years and creating more than 270 jobs in South Florida.

The South Dade Transit Operations Center (SDTOC), located at 12805 Biscayne Drive, is scheduled to begin operations on November 23, 2026, as part of the county's efforts to expand sustainable public transportation.

The facility will support a fleet of 100 articulated battery-electric buses, bringing vehicle storage, charging, maintenance and daily operations together at one location.

Construction began in June 2024, with the center designed to accommodate the county's growing electric bus fleet and improve transit services throughout South Dade.

According to the Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW), the facility is the first of its kind in the United States and represents a significant investment in modernizing the county's transportation infrastructure.

The center occupies approximately 20 acres and includes about 218,600 square feet of facilities designed to support electric bus operations.

Its infrastructure includes rapid charging stations for 100 electric buses, maintenance bays, mechanical workshops, parts storage areas, bus washing facilities, administrative offices and employee parking.

The facility also features training rooms, a wellness center, employee lounges and a pedestrian bridge connecting the parking and operations buildings.

In addition to supporting daily transit operations, the center incorporates several environmentally friendly features, including solar components, a reclaimed water system for bus washing and landscaping with more than 45 species of native trees, plants and wildflowers.

The facility is also designed to serve as an emergency command center for DTPW operations during major storms or other emergencies.

Supporting South Dade's expanding transit network

The new 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 across the county.

The TransitWay serves one of Miami-Dade's fastest-growing areas, providing an alternative to driving for commuters traveling between southern communities and the county's wider public transportation network.

County officials previously identified limitations at existing bus maintenance facilities as a major challenge to expanding electric bus operations.

The Coral Way maintenance facility, approximately 30 miles from the South Dade TransitWay, had reached capacity, creating operational challenges and increasing the distance buses needed to travel for servicing.

By establishing a dedicated facility closer to the TransitWay, the county expects to reduce unnecessary bus travel, improve operational efficiency and shorten the time required to return vehicles to passenger service.

Multimillion-dollar investment in public transportation

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

In 2024, the Board of County Commissioners approved a construction contract valued at approximately $245.8 million with NV2A Dragados JV for the development of the facility.

The county also approved a separate professional services agreement worth up to $21.1 million with CDM Smith Inc. for construction, engineering and inspection services.

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

The investment also forms part of Miami-Dade County's broader climate action strategy, which includes reducing transportation-related emissions and transitioning toward cleaner public transit vehicles.

The new electric buses, manufactured by New Flyer, are designed to operate without tailpipe emissions, supporting the county's efforts to reduce pollution while expanding transportation options for residents.

County officials say the South Dade Transit Operations Center will provide the infrastructure needed to maintain the growing electric fleet and support future transit expansion across southern Miami-Dade County.