New Metrorail trains make big debut in Miami-Dade

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY – After over three decades, Metrorail is receiving a tune-up on the tracks.

At over $300 million and numerous delays, Miami-Dade County officials debuted the new Metrorail trains that will soon be traveling throughout the system.

The sleek, modern, high-tech custom train unveiled Thursday is the first of 136 cars to come, replacing the entire fleet of 33-year-old vehicles.

Current Metrorail trains are so old, the county doesn't even have spare parts to fix them.

"All the problems that we had with broken air conditioners, trains that break down and they are not on time," said Miami-Dade mayor Carlos Gimenez. "That will be resolved by this new fleet that will be in place by 2019."

Officials claim the new fleet will increase frequency time and reliability. In addition, the trains were custom built at a plant in Medley, bringing over 100 jobs to South Florida.

Thursday's inaugural ride was a short one from Dadeland Station to Government Center, but it had that new train smell.

The trains will have super-fast WiFi, along with bicycle rack and digital signage to keep riders up to date.

The Metrorail cars that were part of the debut will go into service immediately, with more new cars hitting the tracks in the coming days.