The Miami Metromover
Metro Jacksonville takes a look at the result of integrating a Jacksonville Skyway-like transit system with downtown revitalization and economic development: The Miami Metromover.
About The Metromover
Omni Loop (blue), Downtown Loop (orange), Brickell Loop (purple), Metrorail (green), Tri-Rail (light blue)
Metromover Operations
Fleet
Metromover Fast Facts
Opened: April 17, 1986
Stations: 21
Services: 3
Daily Ridership: 30,250
Line Length: 4.4 miles
The Metromover has been a magnet for transit oriented development throughout downtown Miami.
Miami International University
Metromover heading into the Brickell Financial District.
Infill residential development and ground level retail can been seen at all Brickell area Metromover stations, transforming this former vertical office park into a walkable community.
Mary Brickell Village
A Publix Cafe located across the street from a Metromover and Metrorail station in Brickell.
Why Metromover Works
A look at downtown Miami from the inside of a Metromover vehicle on the Omni Loop.
Here are five reasons why the Metromover attracts significantly higher ridership than its sibling, the Jacksonville Skyway Express.
1. No Fare. The Metromover is free for all to use.
2. Transit Connectivity. Heavy Rail, Commuter Rail and local bus lines are configured and operated to feed Metromover with countywide transit riders.
3. Neighborhood Connectivity. Metromover not only serves downtown, it also connects downtown with dense inner city neighborhoods to the north and south.
4. Direct Destination Connectivity. Metromover directly connects a variety of downtown Miami destinations. In fact, several destinations have been constructed to have metromover stations inside of them.
5. Transit Oriented Development. An effort has been made to develop infill urban development adjacent to fixed transit routes throughout Miami-Dade County. Metromover's ridership numbers have directly benefitted from the urban development boom of the mid 2000's.
A Lesson for Jacksonville
The Jacksonville Skyway, over Hogan Street, near Hemming Plaza.
Our investment in the Skyway has already been made. We should consider the Skyway as an asset and use some of the successful applications experienced with Metromover for implementation into our environment, in regards to mobility, economic development and downtown revitalization.
Article and photos by Ennis Davis
Omni Loop (blue), Downtown Loop (orange), Brickell Loop (purple), Metrorail (green), Tri-Rail (light blue)
Quote
Metromover is a free people mover train system operated by Miami-Dade Transit in Miami, Florida, United States. Metromover serves Downtown Miami and Brickell from Omni to Brickell and connects with Metrorail at Government Center and Brickell stations. It originally began service to the Downtown Loop on April 17, 1986. The Omni and Brickell extensions opened May 26, 1994.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metromover
Metromover Operations
Quote
There are 21 accessible Metromover stations located throughout Downtown Miami and Brickell roughly every two blocks. The Metromover links all of Downtown and Brickell's major office buildings, residential buildings, hotels, and retail centers. Major attractions such as the Stephen P. Clark Government Center, American Airlines Arena, Arsht Performing Arts Center, the Cultural Plaza (Miami Art Museum, Historical Museum of Southern Florida, Miami Main Library), Bayside Marketplace, Mary Brickell Village, Miami-Dade College and the Brickell Financial District can all be reached by the Metromover.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metromover
Running clockwise, the Downtown (Inner) Loop serves all Downtown stations except Third Street station. The Outer Loop (Brickell and Omni Loops) runs counterclockwise around the downtown area servicing all stations except for Miami Avenue Station. The Brickell loop runs a line into the Brickell area to the south of downtown, while the Omni Loop contains a line with stations in the Midtown Miami area to the north of downtown.
All loops run from 5 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week. This schedule is adjusted during events. Trains arrive every 90 seconds during rush hours and every three minutes otherwise.
Fleet
Quote
Metromover currently uses a fleet of 17 Adtranz C-100 vehicles, built by its predecessor AEG-Westinghouse in 1992, and 12 Bombardier Innovia APM 100 vehicles that were delivered during the summer and fall of 2008. These newer vehicles replaced the first 12 C-100 cars which were built by Westinghouse Electric in 1984, and include a more aerodynamic design, as well as an onboard CCTV system.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metromover
Deliveries of an additional 17 cars from Bombardier Transportation began in July 2010.
Metromover Fast Facts
Opened: April 17, 1986
Stations: 21
Services: 3
Daily Ridership: 30,250
Line Length: 4.4 miles
The Metromover has been a magnet for transit oriented development throughout downtown Miami.
Miami International University
Metromover heading into the Brickell Financial District.
Infill residential development and ground level retail can been seen at all Brickell area Metromover stations, transforming this former vertical office park into a walkable community.
Mary Brickell Village
A Publix Cafe located across the street from a Metromover and Metrorail station in Brickell.
Why Metromover Works
A look at downtown Miami from the inside of a Metromover vehicle on the Omni Loop.
Here are five reasons why the Metromover attracts significantly higher ridership than its sibling, the Jacksonville Skyway Express.
1. No Fare. The Metromover is free for all to use.
2. Transit Connectivity. Heavy Rail, Commuter Rail and local bus lines are configured and operated to feed Metromover with countywide transit riders.
3. Neighborhood Connectivity. Metromover not only serves downtown, it also connects downtown with dense inner city neighborhoods to the north and south.
4. Direct Destination Connectivity. Metromover directly connects a variety of downtown Miami destinations. In fact, several destinations have been constructed to have metromover stations inside of them.
5. Transit Oriented Development. An effort has been made to develop infill urban development adjacent to fixed transit routes throughout Miami-Dade County. Metromover's ridership numbers have directly benefitted from the urban development boom of the mid 2000's.
A Lesson for Jacksonville
The Jacksonville Skyway, over Hogan Street, near Hemming Plaza.
Our investment in the Skyway has already been made. We should consider the Skyway as an asset and use some of the successful applications experienced with Metromover for implementation into our environment, in regards to mobility, economic development and downtown revitalization.
Article and photos by Ennis Davis