City Commission Ordered Miami Trolley System Study
The city aims to replace its current fleet with electric buses by 2035.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
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On September 24, 2026, the Miami City Commission directed the city manager to launch a market study for the local trolley system. This move is part of an effort to modernize the aging fleet and transition entirely to battery-electric buses by 2035.
Why it matters
Updating the system is essential to managing the city's transit capacity and operating costs for riders across Miami. The study will weigh how to effectively replace the fleet, a project projected to cost $56 million.
The city currently maintains a fleet of 56 trolleys that logged an average of 25,971 miles per vehicle in 2023. Replacing the fleet with battery-electric buses is estimated to cost $56 million, following state contributions of $1.8 million in 2024 and a separate $1.1 million grant in 2025.
The players
Miami City Commission
The local governing body that authorized the trolley market study.
City Manager
The official tasked with executing the procurement study for the trolley fleet.
The details
The city manager must now work with the chief procurement officer to determine how to source the new vehicles. The study is required to evaluate the current condition of the fleet, existing service levels, and future transit needs. This shift follows years of ongoing updates, including the use of state and local grants to replace individual vehicles prior to the full transition planned for 2035.
Timeline
• Electric streetcars first operated in Miami in 1906.
• The city reinstated its modern trolley program in 2012.
• Consultants finished a previous efficiency study in December 2023.
• The commission directed the new study on September 24, 2026.
• The city targets 2035 for a full electric bus transition.
Beyond the 305
The commission's directive extends the 2012 reinstatement of the Miami trolley program by setting a path to replace the gasoline-powered fleet with battery-electric technology. This transition follows the historical trend of Miami updating its transit infrastructure to align with regional modernization goals.
Residents who rely on the trolley for their daily commute can expect the city to evaluate potential service disruptions and long-term fleet performance. The upcoming study will help shape how the city manages its transit budget over the next decade as it moves toward the 2035 deadline.
The takeaway
The city is preparing for a significant overhaul of its transit assets as it pushes toward a fully electric fleet by 2035. Residents should watch for upcoming public discussions regarding the study's findings and the impact of the $56 million transition plan on city operations.
Further reading
You can find more updates on local transit projects in the Electric Vehicles section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Miami Today.
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