[ UrbanRail.Net ]     [ Europe ] [ America ] [ Asia ] [ Africa ] [ Oceania ]     [ News ] [ Books ] [ Links ]

Miami lies on the Atlantic coast in the southeast of Florida and has 2.2 million inhabitants in the metropolitan area (Dade County).

Metrorail is a full metro line connecting the northern parts of Miami to the southern coast via the city centre. From there an automated peoplemover (Metromover) distributes passengers in the downtown area.

Metrorail is an elevated (2 km at grade), 36 km long line opened 21 May 1984 between Dadeland South and Overtown, after construction had started in 1979. Tri-Rail station was added in 1989 to create a transfer station for Tri-Rail's suburban services. The average station distance is 1,700 m which results in a commercial speed of more than 60 km/h. All 22 stations have escalators and elevators. Platforms are 190 m long (8-car-trains). An elevated metro was the only option for Miami due to the high ground water level in the area.

The downtown Metromover opened 21 April 1986. This is an elevated, rubber-tyred, fully automated 3 km ring line. Later, in May 1994, two branches, one north (Omni-Loop, 2.2 km) and one south were added (Brickell-Loop, 1.8 km). The Metromover links to Metrorail at Government Center and Brickell and runs 8-15 m above street level. All stations are wheelchair accessible and video surveyed. Trains are formed by one or two 12 m long cars. Those trains serving the ring line only run clockwise, whereas both branches are served anticlockwise on two separate routes.

Both systems are operated by MDTA (Miami Dade Transit Agency).

21 May 1984: Dadeland South - Overtown
17 Dec 1984: Overtown - Earlington Heights
19 May 1985: Earlington Heights - Okeechobee
21 April 1986: Metromover ring
1989: Tri-Rail added
May 1994: Metromover branches
30 May 2003: Okeechobee - Palmetto (2.3 km)

 Projects

In autumn 2002, a tax increase was accepted for investment in public transport. See links below for details.

Photos © (1-5) Leif Spångberg, (6 and top left) Dirk Budach

METROMOVER:

Photos © (1-2) Dirk Budach, (3) Thomas Dreihardt, (4) Javier Fernández de Prado

Books text

- OPERATION:

- Mon - Fri: every 5-6 minutes during peak hours, every 8 minutes at midday, and every 15-30 minutes after 18:00.
- Sat & Sun: every 15 minutes until approximately 20:00, every 30 minutes until 24:00

The metromover runs around the clock on the inner circle, from 5:30 on the outer branches.

- FARES (2008)

1 ride - $1.50 (Tokens are available 7 for $10, or 14 for $20).

Special transfer tickets between rail, bus and metromover are available for $0.50.

The metromover is free of charge.

7-Day Visitor Passport - $19 (available at Airport and certain other outlets)

MDTA - Official Site

Miami MetroRail at nycsubway.org (with lots of pictures)

Jon Bell's Miami Picture Page incl. metromover

Metromover Info