posted
The Biscayne Times, a locally circulated newspaper within the Miami area, has a long (5000 words) article regarding present and future rail travel within Florida. Much of it is a travelogue:
I learned of such as I was asked to contribute to it.
Posts: 9979 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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"Inside the station, there was just a smattering of passengers. I took a Miami-Dade County transportation map off a rack and flipped through it. Amtrak wasn’t even mentioned. I felt like I was in on a secret."
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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Has it yet been established that YES, Amtrak will move into the new 'Central Station' adjacent to the Miami Airport people mover, rental car facility, etc?
I recall having read that Amtrak trains would present a problem by being longer than the platform under construction and would block a grade crossing north of the station...... I have also looked at said grade crossing on Google Earth and would agree that this looks like a problem that was not adequately 'thought out' ahead of time.
For that matter, would this Miami station have adequate space for the ticketing and baggage handling activities that Amtrak will need over and beyond the needs of Tri-Rail?
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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posted
Mr. Presley, as I've noted here in the past, I would expect that Amtrak is simply going to stay put. So far as I'm concerned, if they do move to the Miami Intermodal Center, it will be because of 'a lil political leanin'. Somehow, I don't think there are too many elected officials, Federal and State, from that neck of the woods, really too concerned about Amtrak. 'It's just there; and maybe it will just go away' would appear to be the sentiment.
As I've noted in the past, having Amtrak at MIC would simply add not less than eight train movements over the busy, and soon to get even busier, X-ing of the SAL and FEC known as Iris. Why a 'flyover' was not part of the MIC plan escapes me, but it wasn't.
So far as passenger convenience, I think a move to MIC would adversely affect more than it would benefit. The 'beneficiaries' would be those who desire to rent an auto on arrival as well as those desiring to use a jitney service such as Super Shuttle. I don't think there is too much demand for either; if there were for a jitney, a bus could have been dispatched over to the existing station, but never has. Most passengers are met or use a taxicab. Parking is free at Amtrak; hardly so at the MIC.
Just stay put.
Posts: 9979 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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posted
And if I Joe Joyride (JJ) Amtrakryder want to avail myself to car rentals, various hotel shuttles, or a jet plane on the Miami end of my journey, it is not terribly inconvenient to hop off Amtrak at Hollywood and transfer to a Tri-Rail commuter for the airport......
six of one, half-dozen of the other!
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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