Everything You Need to Know About Miami’s Public Transit System

FAST FACTS 

• There were 64,070 total crashes in Miami-Dade in 2016.
• The three-year average for crashes in Miami-Dade was 62,562.
• 446 bus passengers had definite injuries after accidents they were involved in.

You’re planning a trip to Miami, Florida and have started doing research online. You know where you want to stay, you know what you want to see, and you know that you don’t want to brave unfamiliar roads. Miami has been called, at best, difficult to drive in. That leaves ride sharing, walking or public transportation.

If you’re considering public transportation, Miami has several options to help you get around. Planning your routes ahead of time will save you time and a bit of hassle. The following information should help you.

Your Options

The Miami-Dade Public Transport system is the 14th largest in the country. You can take a bus, train, or the metro system running through the heart of Miami. What you take will depend on when you are traveling and where you are going.

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1. Brightline and MiamiCentral

The Brightline station is located in MiamiCentral, a large complex that boasts dining and shopping opportunities along with the first dining hall in the city. The parking garage for the complex is located at 161 NW 6th Street and costs just $4 hourly or $6 daily. Garages are open around the clock. The fares for Brightline vary depending on destination and demand for seating; it runs from Miami to Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. Book your trip in advance for the best rates.

In addition to catching the train from MiamiCentral, you can board the Metromover from the station and catch a Metrobus in just a short walk. The Metrorail is only steps from the complex, and the Miami Trolley stops right on site. The 11-acre MiamiCentral complex makes getting around Miami more convenient than ever before.

2. The Metrobus

The Metrobus service runs each day of the year. You can take a bus almost anywhere you want to go. There are more than 90 routes, and many run all day and night. There are more than 800 active buses in the fleet and it travels north into Broward County and south into the Middle Keys, Florida City and Homestead.

The bus service intersect with Metromover and Metrorail, serving major entertainment and shopping centers. Riders can pay with an EASY Card or EASY ticket. Riders may also pay the $2.25 trip fare with cash, but no change is given.

3. Airport Flyer

If you’re looking for a way to get from the airport to South Beach, skip the expensive taxi. You can get right to your destination by hopping on the Airport Flyer. It runs every 30 minutes and has minimal stops enroute to South Beach.

4. The Metrorail

A single line called the Metrorail runs north and south through Miami. There are more than 20 stops and the service runs every day of the week. You can catch the metrorail starting at 5 a.m. and it all comes to an end at midnight. You cannot use cash for the rail, you’ve got to purchase an Easy Card.

5. The Tri-Rail

Just like Metrorail, there is only a single line running north and south. Tri-Rail is often overlooked because it only runs in a straight line, but it provides easy access to many of the most popular destinations in south Florida.

Easy Card Versus Easy Ticket

If you live in the area, you’ll want to purchase an Easy Card. If you are visiting, an Easy Ticket may make more sense. It expires after 60 days, which is plenty of time for a visitor to the city. You can purchase at any train station and several sales outlets.

• Easy Card: An Easy Card is a secure way to pay for Tri-Rail and Miami-Dade Transit options. Once you purchase the $2 card, it is good for 20 years and can be loaded with a minimum cash value of $10. A day-pass is $5.65, and a week pass is $29.25. Riders can also purchase one month passes or one month passes plus parking. The costs of these passes are $112.50 and $123.75, respectively.
• Easy Ticket: An Easy Ticket is the same as an Easy Card but expires after 60 days. It often makes the most sense for those who will only be visiting Miami once. The ticket can be loaded with up to $40 cash value, or riders can purchase a one-day or seven-day pass.

Your Rights in an Accident on Public Transit in Miami

If you’re involved in an accident and injured while riding public transportation, the steps your lawyer will take to recover damages are not exactly the same as if you were in an accident with a private citizen. Because the public transportation system is owned and operated by the city government, that is who you will have to sue.

Florida law states that a person can file a lawsuit when they were hurt by the government or one of its employees if:

• The injury was caused by a wrongful act, omission or negligence.
• The loss you suffer can be compensated with monetary damages.
• The negligent party could have been held liable in the same situation if they were a private citizen.

Your damages cannot total more than $200,000 if suing a single entity. The law also says that the government can appeal the resolution of the case. Our Miami accident lawyers are familiar with this process and can assist you.

Speak to a Miami Accident Attorney Today

If you are injured in an accident involving public transportation, speak to one of our Miami personal injury lawyers. At Steinger, Greene & Feiner, we are here to help you with every step of recovering monetary damages after an accident. Call today to schedule your free case evaluation.