Need a ride to work? Mass transit options just changed again due to coronavirus crisis
Need a ride to work?
South Florida’s coronavirus shutdown has impacted mass transit. Here are some changes you need to know:
Miami-Dade County
Miami-Dade County Transit has reduced service frequency and has suspended all transit fees for Metrorail and Metrobuses, including auto reload for monthly pass holders and parking fees, at Metrorail stations until further notice because of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Here’s what to know:
▪ Metrorail
Starting Saturday, Miami-Dade County’s Metrorail will run from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily until further notice. Metrorail riders in need of essential travel after 10 p.m. can use Metrobus Routes 246 and 500.
Passengers heading to the Miami International Airport station will need to transfer at Earlington Heights station to catch the Orange Line train. The Orange Line train will only be available at Earlington Heights both on weekdays and weekends.
During morning and afternoon peak hours, Metrorail Green Line trains traveling between Dadeland South and Palmetto stations will run every 20 minutes.
▪ Metromover
Starting Saturday, Metromover will run from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily until further notice. Riders in need of essential travel after 10 p.m. can use Metrobus routes 246 and 500.
Miami-Dade Transit says Metromover is running at a reduced frequency of seven minutes during peak hours.
▪ Metrobus
Route 95 Express Sheridan St., Route 95 Express Sheridan St. - Civic Center, Route 95 Express Broward Blvd - Civic Center, Route 95 Express Broward Blvd, Route 836 and Route 175 are suspended until further notice because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Most bus routes still operating have a reduced schedule. To check your service route, visit www.miamidade.gov/transportation-publicworks/service_updates.asp
Riders are asked to enter and exit through the rear doors to limit “non-essential interactions,” according to Miami-Dade Transit. Riders who need the ramp will still be accommodated.
The Keys are closed to visitors and tourists but Route 302 Card Sound Express and Route 301 Dade-Monroe Express will still service Keys residents and workers, according to Miami-Dade Transit.
▪ Rentable Scooters, bicycles, moped
Scooter rentals are temporarily suspended, including bikes, and municipal bike-sharing programs like Citibike.
▪ Marinas
Marinas and boat launches, as well as docking, fueling, marine supply and other marina services are closed at all Miami-Dade County owned or operated marinas. Exceptions include:
▪ Boats or ferries in support of PortMiami or Fisher Island operations
▪ People who live aboard a boat
▪ Fishermen with a commercial saltwater license issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, for commercial fishing purposes only
▪ Patrols, law enforcement and rescue activity by federal, state and local government agencies
▪ People returning to the United States from international voyages
▪ Those who need to remove their boat from the water or to perform emergency maintenance on a vessel, marinas, fueling stations, and marine supply services.
How is COVID-19 affecting transportation in South Florida?
▪ Brightline/Virgin Train
Virgin Trains USA, the parent company of the Brightline express train, suspended all train services in South Florida and laid off 250 South Florida workers amid the coronavirus concerns. For both refundable and non-refundable fares, riders will be credited for the fare to use on a future booking. Special event tickets will receive a full refund within five business days.
▪Tri-Rail
Trains are running on a reduced schedule until further notice. Service will also be fare-free during this time, which means riders will not need to buy a ticket or pass.
Riders are asked to check tri-rail.com or on Twitter @Tri_Rail for service updates.
▪ Uber
Riders in the U.S. and Canada will receive an in-app message once the app is opened reminding them to “flatten the curve” or “travel only when necessary.”
Uber Pool, which makes fares cheaper by allowing drivers to have up to four riders traveling a similar route in the vehicle at the same time, is temporarily suspended. All other ride options remain unchanged.
Lyft says you can still request a ride but are asking riders and drivers to stay home if they feel ill. The company says its also doing the following:
▪ Giving free rides to caregivers “within their network to deliver food and supplies to their homebound loved ones.”
▪ Activated its Disaster Relief Access Program to help those in need access urgent services, food, shelter, and other critical resources. The program, which is done in partnership with other organizations such as Team Rubicon and World Central Kitchen, also provides “transportation support” to first responders and volunteers.
▪ Keeping its Grocery Access Program operating. The program, which is available in Miami, works with local organizations and non-profits to provide low-income families and seniors living in “food deserts” with discounted flat fare rides to get to and from grocery stores.
▪ Trolleys
If you take trolleys, make sure you check with your city to see if there are any service changes to your route because of COVID-19.
Miami Beach, for example, has suspended all trolley services until further notice.
City of Miami
▪ Trolleys
The city of Miami’s 13 free trolley routes are still running, but hours have been reduced. All routes will now run from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. during their scheduled days.
▪ Scooter, bicycles, moped
Suspended until further notice, including the city’s Motorized Scooter Pilot Program and Citibike Shared Bicycle Program
▪ Marinas
All public boat ramps and marinas are closed until further notice, including the Miamarina at Bayside, Dinner Key Marina (including the Mooring Field) and Marine Stadium Marina.
The city says marinas that are partially operating because of liveaboard customers will be open for patrons only between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
This story was originally published March 25, 2020 at 2:36 PM.
