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I want to get to South Beach in Miami as early as possible, so Amtrak is out. I suppose I can take Tri-Rail but to where? It doesn't stop at the airport proper any more, and I don't know the neighborhoods. Plus, I will have luggage. I'd like to get there as early as possible to maximize my time. Does anyone know a car service they recommend? Or would that be prohibitively expensive?
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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Ms. Sojourner, taxicabs and car services I have found to be on the steep side in South Florida; likely this is a factor resulting in what appears to me as "everybody rents'.
But being the intrepid traveler you are and willing to bear burdens that I'm not about to, Tri-Rail's "temporary" end of the line is the Hialeah Market station. From there they are offering a transfer bus to the Airport from which all the ground transportation available to an airline passenger is yours.
If you want to "do it like the help", there is also the Metrorail at Metrorail Transfer station (near Amtrak's). You can take that to a Downtown station and from there get a city bus to South Beach.
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Is anyone familiar with these Tri-Rail stations and their locations? I know nothing of Miami. Will they be safe and convenient (e.g., are there escalators etc) for a woman traveling alone with luggage?
Also, is anyone familiar with Super Shuttle in WPB and Miami? Does it stop all over the place and take a long time to get to the airport and hotels?
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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For doing as "the help" does, Metrorail Transfer involves stairs. I've seen the Tri-Rail Hialeah Market station as recently as this past February and there are no stairs. Obviously with the transfer vehicles (16 passenger vans) coming and going from there rather than the closed Airport station, there will be uniformed personnel about - including security guards that, even if employed by a private security service, hold police commissions, i.e. they 'gottaGlock" and a Thomas A. Swift Electric Rifle.
I'm pretty sure the Tri Rail transfer makes only one stop at the airport, but if it doesn't and the driver asks you "what airline', just say "American" as they are hands down the largest carrier at KMIA - and where the largest number of ground transportation options will be available.
Super Shuttle? can't help you there with any personal experiences; as, when "down below", I always (have gone down almost every year since 1980) have either my own or a rental buggy. However, here is Super Shuttle's site.
CHATTER Member # 1185
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Superm Shuttle will typically guarantee no more than three stops. Going to Miami Beach on Super Shuttle is easy--but they go only from the airport.
sojourner Member # 3134
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Actually, Super Shuttle will pick me up at a residence in WPB and take me to Miami Airport, then take me on another shuttle from Miami Airport to a hotel in South Beach. It's just very pricey! I probably will do taxi to WPB Tri-Rail, then Tri-Rail to Hialeah stop with its shuttle to Miami airport (as Mr Norman recommended), then either or taxi or Super Shuttle from the Miami Airport to my hotel. It's still plenty expensive but better than the other way, and I wouldn't mind checking out the Tri-Rail. I am waiting to hear from a friend who has taken it to confirm I'm doing the right Tri-Rail stop.
notelvis Member # 3071
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Has there been anything official regarding whether Amtrak will also serve this new intermodal facility when it opens at the Miami airport?
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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Mr. Presley, I believe the issue of whether Amtrak will use the Miami Intermodal Center (MIC appears to be an official term for such) is "up in the air'.
I can think of reasons why Amtrak should not use the facility. First, the existing station is "right sized' and adequately attractive for the 'two a day' it handles, and if somehow the political winds blow differently and there is an initiative for additional trains, they also could be handled if they were spaced throughout the day . Secondly, the reverse moves that would be necessitated will simply add to congestion over and interference with FEC freight operations X-ing the Iris diamond. This means the new transfer runs between the Port and the FEC Hialeah container facility. Further, having seen it first hand under construction, the grade to access the MIC is quite steep - fine for a two car Tri-Rail "scoot" always operating forward, not too sure about a ten car "Silver" doing the noted reverse move.
So far as passenger convenience, the only segment of Amtrak's Miami passengers that would be benefited are those that rent autos - and somehow I think that is a mighty small segment. I guess there too are some that could find the airport ground transportation offerings convenient. But somehow I think more passengers than not are "met' by friends or relatives, and for that segment, there would be considerably longer walks to the auto, a much greater possibility of "losing" it (you know; elderly and overwhelmed), and having to pay for that parking, which to my knowledge is free at the existing station.
I also must question what commercial use for the land on which the station (that would presumably be razed) is located could be found - even if the real estate market should warm up again.
All told, Amtrak's interests could well be best served by simply staying put. I'm sure Marketing would favor a move, but somehow I think Operations and the guys like me - Finance - that have to pay the bills are in the stay put faction (anyone really think that access to MIC would be "free"?). Wouldn't one like to be the fly on the wall in the Conference Room at 60 Mass observing which faction has the best honed meeting skills?
SilverStar092 Member # 2652
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Sojourner: There are escalators at the MetroRail Transfer station though I suppose they could be out of order on a particular day. This is a convenient and safe station. The only downtown MetroRail station you should attempt would be Government Center (located very close to the Dade County Court House). Even then, you should have the phone number of a taxi company available rather than expecting them to be lined up. All said, it sounds like the airport idea would be best.
SilverStar092 Member # 2652
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As a native of Miami, I must say that the airport station would be closer and more convenient for most Miami residents than the current Amtrak station in Hialeah Yared. From an operational standpoint, the current station is easier for Amtrak with no backup move needed. However, SAL and SCL trains made the same move years ago from the old SAL station which was even farther from Hialeah. However, a switch engine is necessary for such a move, likely a costly necessity.
palmland Member # 4344
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Perhaps an AmBus could be provided to the new Intermodal center, as in the Bay area, and continue on to South Beach or other points in the metro area. That would probably be faster and less costly than trying to negotiate the trackage into the center.
notelvis Member # 3071
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I'm persuaded by Mr. Norman's argument. The Miami Amtrak station is not yet 'worn out' and the parking is 'right there' as opposed to a few football fields away as airport parking tends to be.
Moreover, the Amtrak facility includes a turning loop right on site for passenger operations.
Palmland - Amtrak has for some time been encouraging passengers who need to access the Miami Metro or the Airport to transfer to Tri-Rail Trains at the Hollywood station. I imagine that more of this is in store if Amtrak does, in fact, 'stay put'.
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