New Miami App Aims to Streamline Transit Without Adding More Cars

In traffic-choked Miami, where the average commuter often juggles multiple apps just to catch a ride or make a connection, a new platform is trying to simplify how people move around — without adding more vehicles to already jammed roads.

RideKel, developed by South Florida-based startup ProKel Mobility, is a new app that integrates buses, trains, trolleys, and on-demand electric vehicles into a unified system. Instead of switching between apps or facing fragmented trip planning, users can plan, book, and track their entire journey in one place, in real time.

“Everyone complains about congestion, but the real issue isn’t just cars — it’s that public transportation options don’t talk to each other,” said Logan McLeod, Senior Vice President at ProKel and a former Lyft executive. “You need three different apps just to take one trip. That’s the problem we’re solving.”

The company’s first major launch is already changing daily commutes in North Miami Beach. Residents there can use RideKel to request free, electric on-demand rides that sync with the existing Miami-Dade Transit and Tri-Rail systems. It’s the first time in Miami-Dade County that city and county transit services have been digitally connected under one app.

“Our goal isn’t to replace public transportation,” McLeod said. “It’s to make it finally work the way it should. If you can get off a bus and immediately hop into an on-demand electric SUV that’s already waiting for you, that changes the entire experience.”

The approach is designed with familiarity in mind. RideKel’s interface is similar to ride-hailing apps like Uber or Lyft, aiming to lure users not with ideology but with ease. For people used to getting around by car, McLeod says the key is convenience. “It’s the same user experience people already know. But instead of adding more cars to the road, we’re connecting people to existing transit.”

Behind that seamless experience is a full-service operation. ProKel employs over 150 staff in Florida who handle driver recruitment, vehicle upkeep, and route scheduling. The infrastructure is set up to deliver turnkey solutions that cities can adjust to fit their specific needs. ProKel now runs more than a dozen programs across the U.S., including in Orlando, Jacksonville, and New York, and plans to expand to 45 cities by 2028.

In Miami, where public transportation is often overshadowed by car culture, projects like RideKel offer a potential shift. For now, the North Miami Beach rollout is being closely watched by other municipalities. “They see what’s happening here and say, we want that,” McLeod said. “This is about creating something that can scale — a system that improves access to jobs, healthcare, and education while making cities more efficient.”

McLeod, who has helped launch more than 200 mobility systems in his career, says the most meaningful impact isn’t technological. It’s personal. “When you build something that helps a person get to work, or lets someone visit a doctor who couldn’t before, that’s when it all makes sense,” he said. “We’re moving people and helping communities grow.”

As traffic remains a constant backdrop in South Florida life, the success of apps like RideKel could mark the beginning of a broader change in how people move through the region — not by building more roads, but by making the most of what’s already here.