Remember when public transit felt like a game of 'how many transfers can I make and still get there eventually?' North Miami Beach clearly does, and they decided to do something about it. They've partnered with a company called ProKel Mobility to completely overhaul their system, and the results are, well, moving.
Since July, the city's transit network now includes three community shuttle bus routes, which sounds standard until you factor in the two electric vehicles offering on-demand service. Because apparently, that's where we are now: your phone, but with wheels, picking you up.
The Last Mile Problem Solved
This isn't just about getting from point A to point B; it's about connecting the dots. The new system seamlessly links up with Miami-Dade Transit, Tri-Rail commuter trains, and Metrorail. Basically, all the big players. Riders can use a ProKel app, probably while sipping coffee, to connect to these services. It’s tackling the dreaded "first-mile, last-mile" problem — that awkward stretch from your doorstep to the main transit hub, and then from the hub to your actual destination.
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Start Your News DetoxProKel got to work in North Miami Beach back in 2021. Back then, about 4,000 people were using the city's transit each month. Fast forward to today, and that number has more than doubled to 10,000 monthly riders. Let that satisfying number sink in.
This transformation wasn't cheap, but it was smart. ProKel redesigned the entire network, bought three new vehicles (with a fourth on the way), and studied the data like it was a final exam. The result? Better routes, shorter wait times, and a projected savings of over $1.5 million for North Miami Beach during the contract. Because nothing says efficiency like saving a city enough money to buy, say, a small fleet of very fancy espresso machines.
And if that's not enough to make you raise an eyebrow, ProKel's CEO, Kelly Gonzalez Jr., is already talking about autonomous buses. As in, buses that drive themselves. Later this year. He sees them as a solution to driver shortages and a way to open up new, less-traveled routes. Because apparently, the future of getting around might just involve a robot chauffeur. Which, if you think about it, is both impressive and slightly terrifying.
