Transportation

Ashley Hewlett
Transportation in the City of Miami
“We should look to our major contemporaries to revamp our transportation system. By adopting layouts more like Northeastern cities it wouldn’t be as difficult to get around or necessary to have a car,” stated Randy Estevez, an artist and activist anchored in the downtown district of Wynwood.
Miami often leads the nation in motor-vehicle accidents and traffic difficulties. With the nation-wide pressure to “go green” and most major cities following suit, it is becoming difficult for the local government to ignore the demand for easier mass-transportation, better traffic regulations, and importantly, specialized bike lanes on the roads in highly populated areas.
The Miami Metrobus is a public service with more than 100 routes to cater for the people of Miami. It is the first transit line to get priority improvements with the frequent additions of new buses, routes, and on board updates such as wi-fi internet service. The Metrobus also integrates with other public transport like the heavy rail system, Metrorail, the Downtown Miami Metromover, and the Paratransit (STS) systems.
In the face of funding holds and cuts, the demand for better transit from Miami’s citizens is only growing stronger. As of 2011, Miami Metrobus drivers earn between $29,494 and $47,881 per year, depending on years of service and job classification. In face of the recent budget cuts, Miami’s faithful transit employees have been targeted for salary and job cuts. Acting regional administrator, Linda Gehrke stated that “transit passengers and employees of Miami-Dade County shouldn’t be punished due to the management problems at MDT.’’
“Nobody benefits from the sort of funding cuts planned – not our public servants, and certainly not the thousands of residents who rely on these vital transit services every day,” Loraine Washington, Miami-Dade County Metrobus Driver stated.
The Metrorail has one 22.4 main line from Hialeah to Kendall and an under construction line known as the Airport link to Miami International Airport. A similar Light Rail project for Miami Beach is on the planning board. It connects most major neighborhoods throughout Miami and is sufficient for established areas. At Government Center, the Metrorail links to the Metromover. The Metromover runs in a loop around the city, but is excluding of the booming downtown districts of Wynwood and Midtown. Hi-speed rails are needed to easily transport workers into these newer areas of commerce; which would allow more consumerism and tourism in these rising areas.
The City of Miami continues to press FDOT for more safety improvements around the Biscayne/Brickell area of the most congested car and bike traffic.“The spa I work at is located inside a hotel near my downtown condo, I enjoy being able to bike to the close location, but Miami is behind the times for bike commuters,” stated Shayna Nolan.
The bike commuter community is growing as economic times get more difficult and the ‘green’ society grows. If the local government listened to that community and funded safe bike lanes, it would help cut down traffic and progress Miami amongst national cities going green and efficient.
A multimillion dollar project is underway in Tampa, Florida to add bicycle lanes along Bayshore Boulevard; a road much alike Miami’s Biscayne Boulevard. The overall plan is to calm four-wheel traffic; which officials hope will save lives for people on two wheels and two feet.
According the South Florida Bicycle Coalition’s website, monthly meetings with Miami’s city government and constant activism has achieved new bike lanes and even the implementation of DecoBike bicycle rentals in Miami.
Facilitating better transportation is beneficial economically and socially; bringing people to up and coming areas that were once avoided and slowly eliminating those neighborhoods that are marring Miami.