Last week I attended a Commercial Real Estate conference focusing on transportation issues and the challenges of managing Miami's expected growth. The meeting was to begin at 9:00am at the airport. It took me 1hour and 15 minutes to drive there from my home that is only 16 miles away. Google maps tells me it should take only 23 minutes to drive from door to door. Ironically I learned at the meeting that I could have taken a train from Dadeland South directly to the airport for only $2.00 + $4.00 to park. That ride, according to the web-site, will take only 33 minutes with a train leaving every 10 -15 minutes depending on the time of day. I raised my hand and requested a tour and promised on my next visit I would take the Orange Line.
The Miami Airport Intermodal Center is a beautiful structure that brings together all modes of transportation to one location. The Intermodal Center is connected to the main terminal by a Metro Mover train. It contains a new rental car facility, a MetroRail train station, a bus station, and eventually the Tri-rail and Amtrak will all come to the same place. Today it is packed with people but I can say the people are mainly tourists from other countries who are used to using public transportation. From the intermodal center you walk a short distance to a MetroMover that takes you directly to the terminal.
Traffic and parking woes are all results of a growing a vibrant city. We cannot wish them away but we can do a better job of utilizing alternative means of transportation to get from point A to point B. According to MDX, 90% of people go to work in cars. By 2035 they expect the number of cars to increase 39%. As professionals and citizens we need to encourage use of public transportation alternatives that are already available. With increased use there promises to be increased availability and services.
