Miami-Dade transit services will not run this weekend in response to Miami protests

With violent protests disrupting Miami, Miami-Dade abruptly suspended its transit service countywide for the weekend, stranding workers coming off their late-night Saturday shifts.

The announcement came at 9:19 p.m., stating all Metrorail, Metromover and bus services “have been suspended at this time. Updates to follow.”

Almost an hour later, another announcement was released that all Miami-Dade Transit services will not operate on Sunday.

Transit ridership plunged during the coronavirus pandemic, but the system remains vital for workers without transportation of their own. In a Twitter post, the agency said the suspension is for one night for now and “we will post more updates when we know regarding service for [Sunday].”

The shutdowns left about a dozen people stranded at the Dadeland South bus depot after 11 p.m. on Saturday.

“How in the hell am I supposed to get home?” asked Alan Lee, 63, as he waited for the 38 bus to take him to Florida City after a night busing tables at the nearby Dadeland Mall. “I can’t believe they stopped running the buses.”

He spoke during a quiet Saturday evening, without a hint of anything unusual happening off of U.S. 1. Jay Rose, 37, was left to figure out how to get from South Dade to his home in Miami Gardens, a commute that usually has him riding two buses. Fares have been free during the coronavirus emergency, relief for Rose and his wages from a retail job. How will he get home tonight? “Uber,” he said, “and spend money I don’t have.”

The emergency measure to curtail movement across Miami-Dade followed a curfew order by Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez, lasting from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

In a statement, Gimenez said he supports peaceful protests “but once they get into lawlessness, there is zero tolerance.”

This story was originally published May 30, 2020 at 10:23 PM.