Is the cost of gas making you drive less? You have some options in Miami to get around
Living in Miami is expensive, and now, gas prices are high, too.
So, what can you do to try and save money?
Apps can help you find the cheapest gas near you. You have some public transportation options, too, and some are even free.
Here are some options for your commute or errands. And remember, masks are required on public transportation (including rideshares) because of a federal mask mandate.
Metrobus, Metrorail and Metromover
Metrobus routes run across Miami-Dade County and into Broward and the Keys, including Miami Beach, Liberty City, Little Haiti, Little Havana, Key Biscayne, Miami Gardens, West Miami-Dade, Homestead and Florida City. Buses have free Wi-Fi and bicycle racks. The buses run from 5 a.m. to midnight daily, including holidays, with some routes providing overnight service.
Metrorail runs along a 25-mile dual track with service to Miami International Airport, and stretching from Kendall through South Miami, Coral Gables, and downtown Miami; to the Civic Center/Jackson Memorial Hospital area; and to Brownsville, Liberty City, Hialeah, and Medley in Northwest Miami-Dade. Metrorail stations have free Wi-Fi and bicycle racks, which can also be found in some rail cars.
Metromover circles downtown Miami and extends to Brickell and Performing Arts areas from 5 a.m. to midnight daily. Destinations include FTX Arena, home to the Miami Heat, Bayside Marketplace and Miami Dade College’s downtown campus.
How much does it cost?
Metromover is free. Metrobus and Metrorail fare is $2.25 each way or $5.65 for a one-day pass. However, Metrobus and Metrorail transfers are free though you will have to pay 95 cents if you’re transferring from a Metrobus/Metrorail to an express Metrobus route.
Some tips:
▪ Miami-Dade Transit has reduced fare options for groups of people, including K-12 and college students and Medicare recipients. Miami-Dade residents whose annual income is $19,321 to $25,760, for example, can ride Metrobus and Metrorail for half price with the Commuter-Reduced Fare EASY Card.
▪ Miami-Dade residents whose annual income is less than $19,320 may be eligible for free rides on Metrobus and Metrorail with the Transit Mobility EASY Card.
▪ Payment options are available, including monthly passes (best for frequent riders) and Easy Tickets (for people who aren’t frequent riders).You can also pay your fare through the GO Miami-Dade app or other contactless options, including Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay and Fitbit Pay.
To learn more about reduced or free fare options, visit Miami-Dade Transit’s website.
Free Trolleys
Some cities run free trolleys, including Doral, Coral Gables, Miami, Miami Beach and Miami Gardens. Route information, hours of operation and real-time tracking info should be available on the city’s website or through an app. Here are some:
▪ Doral — www.cityofdoral.com/all-departments/public-works/doral-trolley/
▪ Coral Gables — www.coralgables.com/trolley-services
▪ Miami Beach — www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/transportation/trolley/
▪ Miami Gardens — www.miamigardens-fl.gov/233/Miami-Gardens-Express. Route information: www.miamigardens-fl.gov/DocumentCenter/View/271/Express-Route-Map-PDF?bidId=
Freebee
Freebee, a free ride-sharing electric vehicle service founded by University of Miami graduates Jason Spiegel and Kris Kimball, is available in more than a dozen cities across South Florida.
Places offering Freebee include Aventura, Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, Doral, South Miami, West Miami, Florida City, Pinecrest, Palmetto Bay, Key Biscayne, downtown Miami, Miami Lakes, Hialeah, and Miami Beach. If you’re planning to visit Broward County, Freebee rides are available in Fort Lauderdale. If you’re visiting the Keys, you can ride Freebee in Islamorada.
To call a ride, you’ll have to use the Freebee app, similar to how you would order an Uber or Lyft. And yes, it can pick you up and drop you off at home, as long as you live in one of its service areas. Hours of operation varies by city.
However, keep in mind that Freebee routes are considered “short-distance,” which means you can’t ask Freebee to take you from Florida City to Miami Beach. The app will notify you if you’re out of Freebee’s service range.
Cities that offer the service should have route information online. You can also use the app or Freebee’s website.
Jitney
Jitneys can help you get around the county — if you know where to find one. The vehicles are run by private companies that are licensed by the Miami-Dade Department of Transportation and Public Works.
Like buses, jitneys make periodic stops during their routes to let passengers get on and off. However, jitneys operate on routes where buses don’t and can drive through side streets if there’s a traffic jam, according to The New Tropic. To get on a jitney, you just flag it down when you see it, similar to a taxi. And then just tell the driver to stop once you arrive to your destination.
Fare prices range between $1.50 to $2, depending on the jitney. Some places you can find a jitney include Miami and Hialeah. Hours and routes vary, though some jitneys start as early as 5 a.m. or 6 a.m. and run late into the evening.
Currently, there are six licensed jitney operators in Miami-Dade, though two don’t have any vehicles in service at the moment, according to the county. You won’t be able to find route information for the jitneys online. However, Miami-Dade’s Department of Transportation and Public Works provided maps of the existing jitney routes to the Miami Herald. See them below (fair warning, the maps are a bit confusing to read and include proposed route extensions too):
Brightline
The high-speed train service runs from downtown Miami with stops in Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach.
Stations: MiamiCentral Station, 600 NW First Ave.; Fort Lauderdale at 101 NW Second Ave.; West Palm Beach station at 501 Evernia St.
Prices vary depending on when you plan to travel and if it’s a one-way or round trip. If you’re a frequent rider, the rail company recommends monthly travel pass options, which “unlocks” the lowest pricing, including peak weekday fares and weekends. The unlimited monthly pass options start at $199.
“If you take 20+ rides a month, that works out to less than a $10 fare,” the rail line says. Sometimes, Brightline features other offers. Kids under 12, for example, can ride free with the purchase of one adult ticket until March 31. Brightline also has travel packs and group discounts.
For more information, visit gobrightline.com
Tri-Rail
The commuter train runs through 18 stations across Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.
The rail runs from Miami International Airport through Golden Glades in Miami-Dade County, Hollywood, the Broward airport, Deerfield Beach, and Boca Raton through Mangonia Park in Palm Beach County.
Cost: Ticket prices vary depending on where you’re going and if it’s a one-way or round trip. If you’re planning to do a round trip, prices range from $5 to $17.50. One-way tickets range from $2.50 to $8.75. If you take the train during the weekend or on a holiday, there’s a flat rate of $5. If you’re a student, senior, child or a person with a disability, you can get the weekend or holiday fare for $2.50.
And if you’re a frequent rider, consider looking at 12-trip passes, monthly passes and regional passes.
For more info, visit tri-rail.com
Amtrak
The nationwide train has stations across Florida, including in Delray Beach, West Palm Beach, Deerfield Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood and Miami/Hialeah. Prices and discounts vary depending on where you’re going and when.
For more info, visit amtrak.com/home.
Uber, Lyft and taxis
Sometimes it’s cheaper (and easier) to get a ride then to drive yourself. Ride costs vary. However, take note that Uber is temporarily charging customers a fuel fee, either 45 cents or 55 cents for each trip, depending on the location, due to rising gas prices. The company says all the surcharge money will go to the driver.
Carpool
Consider carpooling with co-workers, family and friends and then split the cost of gas.
Walk or use a bicycle, electric scooter or skateboard
If the place you’re going to is nearby, think about walking, riding your bicycle or using a skateboard instead. You can save money on gas, exercise and help the planet, too. If you have an electric scooter, that’s an option.
TIP: If you don’t own a bike, you could always rent one through Citi Bike Miami, a bike rental service with more than 160 stations across Miami Beach, Surfside, Bay Harbor Islands and Miami, including in Wynwood and Coconut Grove. And no, you don’t have to drop off the bike at the same place you picked it up. You can leave it any of the other Citi Bike stations.
Rental prices vary depending on how long you want to ride the bike. A 30-minute ride, for example, costs $4.95. Frequent riders should consider either a standard monthly membership, which offers unlimited 30-minute rides for $15 or a deluxe monthly membership, which gives 60-minute unlimited rides for $25.
To learn more, visit citibikemiami.com or download the Citi Bike Miami app.
This story was originally published March 11, 2022 at 8:11 AM.
