Trolley System Coming to Miami

By Kyle Munzenrieder Thu., Aug. 4 2011 at 11:37 AM

Categories: News

Miami has a reputation as a big sprawling city with little in the way of public transportation. A proposed new trolley system may change that, somewhat, someday, supposedly. According to Open Media Miami, the City Commission voted last week to allow City Manager Johnny Martinez to start contract negotiations with a chosen company to bring the system to the city.

The proposed system would include six routes that would stretch from Brickell to the western most portions of the city, and would connect with the existing Metrorail, Metromover, and bus system.

"It's going to add a new method of transportation for the city and it should eliminate some of the traffic congestion," Mark Levitt, president of LSF Shuttle, the company chosen to possibly build and operate the system, told Open Media.

Fares aren't set yet, but the first few months of the system will be free. Some routes are expected to begin operating by the end of the year.

LSF Shuttle also operates a Trolley system in Broward County.

Here's the proposed Trolley routes. More details can be found here.

The system would be funded mostly by unspent money from the half-penny transportation sales tax, with most of the rest being paid for by federal stimulus dollars and state money.

Though, the trolleys won't run on tracks, and will basically be fancy looking buses subjected to the same traffic woes as the current county bus system.

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Amarilyscastano

If you want to spend money why don't you think of something for kids like a big water park in Miami, then you will employ desperate people that need jobs and make money. Please do not waste money on a trolley system that does not cut traffic.

loveboat2010

billion dollar stadium, tunnel, performing arts center now this scam. The motto in city hall is "kickbacks must keep flowing" despite a financial mess and declared "financial urgency" this reckless spending continues.

Amkleer

Well, SOMEthing is better than nothing!! A major transportation hub is definitely something to look forward to in Miami AND Miami Beach, we all know that the population in general is growing and the walkability factor of places like http://thecontinuumsouthbeachc... combined with a trolley or any public transportation would greatly benefit a lot of those Miami Beach residents, visitors and new condo owners and their families who live in areas like SOFI, SOBE in the condo communities.

Snake Charmer

GODDAMN IT RICK SCOTT WTF HAPPENED TO OUR LIGHT RAIL SYSTEM?! DAMN YOU YOU FUCKING EVIL ALBINO PYTHON!

nevernot

Baby buses, that's Regalado's answer? It wasn't too long ago he was ridiculing Manny Diaz for even proposing trolleys, now he's dumping a bunch of diesel short buses to compete with MDT? What a waste.