People

Car-less Miami?

Ralph Rosado nixed his car for 30 days to complete a challenge that helped shed light on transit options and opportunities to help keep Miamians mobile and less car-dependent. Here’s what he learned.
interview by Estrellita S. Sibila | May 18, 2018 | People

Metrorail Magic
“The new Metrorail Downtown Express, which operates at set times during morning and evening rush hour, delivered me from the Dadeland South Metrorail Station in East Kendall into Brickell in less than 13 minutes, a full hour (roundtrip) faster than drivers making the same trek. Plus, thanks to the Wi-Fi onboard, I could work the entire time. You can also ride the Metrorail Orange Line to Miami International Airport, via the Miami Intermodal Center, easing airport-related travel time.”

Metromover
Marvels
“The Metromover trains do a commendable job of connecting key Downtown Miami destinations and freeing up our crowded arterial roads and bridges. You can hop on and off around Downtown and the Financial District or use it to get to the AAA for a game, an art exhibit at PAMM or a performance at the Arsht Center. The small trains appeared to serve not only office workers during the day but also our growing Metro population of young professionals, Miami-Dade College students and retirees.”

Trolleying Along
“Many of the trolleys run frequently, in some cases every 20 minutes. They are clean and offer Wi-Fi. Several of the routes include connections at Metrorail stations, allowing many passengers to travel extensively north and south throughout the county without needing to drive. The Coral Way and Coral Gables trolleys overlap their routes for a few blocks, allowing riders to transfer across municipal boundaries, the sort of intergovernmental coordination we need to see more of when it comes to a multijurisdictional challenge like transportation.”

Essential Items
“To the typical non-transit user, I would now say: Plan ahead. Transit apps like Miami-Dade Transit Tracker can be used to help find Metrobus, Metrorail and Metromover routes and times and to help identify available transit options to get you to and from your destination in as little time as possible. Also, make sure to always carry an umbrella for that unexpected afternoon shower, and don’t forget to apply sunscreen to protect your skin. Go ahead, get ready to enjoy the scenery while you leave the driving to someone else!”