Miami Commission Ordered Trolley Fleet Market Study
The city aims to replace its existing transit vehicles with battery-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 initiate a market study for the local trolley system. This assessment is a step toward the city's long-term goal of transitioning its entire fleet to battery-electric buses by 2035.
Why it matters
The city is working to modernize its aging transit infrastructure to reduce long-term maintenance needs and improve fleet reliability for residents. Replacing the current 56-trolley fleet is expected to cost approximately $56 million.
As of December 2023, the city maintained 56 trolleys that averaged 25,971 miles per vehicle annually. Following a $1.8 million state grant in 2024 and a $1.1 million grant in 2025, the city has secured funding to replace seven older trolleys.
The players
Miami City Commission
The local governing body responsible for transit policy and budgeting decisions in Miami.
City Manager
The municipal official tasked with executing commission directives and overseeing city departments.
Chief Procurement Officer
The department head responsible for managing city purchasing methods and contract bidding processes.
The details
The city manager is tasked with consulting the chief procurement officer to establish a formal acquisition method for the electric vehicles. The study must evaluate the condition of the current fleet, operational costs, and the service levels needed to accommodate future ridership. This transition follows the city's reinstatement of the trolley program in 2012, which originally sought to address local transit gaps.
Timeline
1906: Electric streetcars first operated on Miami streets.
2012: The city officially reinstated its trolley program.
December 2023: Consultants completed the Trolley Efficiency Plan Study.
September 24, 2026: The city commission directed the study.
2035: Target year for the full battery-electric bus fleet transition.
The Home Front
This transition marks a significant shift in municipal infrastructure spending, following the roadmap established by the 2023 Trolley Efficiency Plan Study. The city is balancing historical transit reliance with modern capital-heavy investments in electric vehicle technology.
If you rely on the trolley system for your daily commute, keep an eye on city commission agendas for updates on service routes and procurement timelines. Residents should note that the transition is a long-term project spanning the next decade as aging vehicles are phased out.
The takeaway
The city is committed to a fully electric trolley fleet by 2035 to modernize transit services. Residents interested in long-term infrastructure planning can track the city manager's procurement reports as they are presented to the commission.
Further reading
For more updates on regional transit changes, see Electric Vehicles.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Miami Today.
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