UPDATE 10/30/17 – 10:23 AM: The South Beach Loop trolley launch will now take place this Wednesday, November 1 at 2 p.m. at Rebecca Towers, 200 Alton Road.
On Wednesday, November 1, 2017 at 10 a.m., the City of Miami Beach will launch the new South Beach Loop trolley route at Miami Beach City Hall to replace the existing Miami-Dade Transit operated South Beach Local and city-operated Alton-West Loop. Riders can now easily hop on board a trolley to reach, parks, beaches, shops, pharmacies, local libraries, Mount Sinai Hospital, restaurants and many other points of interest throughout the entirety of this urban-island.
“Nearly four years ago, I tasked city staff to launch our first trolley route on Alton Road in a record 52 days, and I am now proud to be adding the South Beach Loop to our trolley repertoire, alongside the new Collins Express and improved North Beach and Middle Beach trolley routes,” said Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine. “This was the final addition to complete the city’s interconnected trolley system to ensure a free ride, citywide.”
Trailing the established trolley routes, the South Beach Loop will function at a similar frequency of service operating 365 days a year and 10 to 15 minutes between stops on an accommodating schedule of Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to midnight and 8 a.m. to midnight on Sundays. The newly added route, in its entirety, will reduce travel time and improve connectivity by enabling movement from South Pointe Drive to 88 Street with as little as one transfer. Manufacturing a more practical design to facilitate boarding, low-floor trolleys are being implemented to total a fleet of 10 operating vehicles in order to further increase accessibility.
“The new South Beach Loop will provide longer hours of service, an enhanced service area, and more frequent service in comparison to the South Beach Local — conclusively making travel from South to North Beach possible with as little as only one transfer in between,” added Miami Beach City Manager Jimmy L. Morales.
In addition to the launch of the South Beach Loop trolley service, the city is making valuable changes to the Middle Beach Loop, Collins Link and North Beach Loop trolley routes to ensure a more efficient, higher quality metropolitan trolley system.
Beginning with the replacement of the Collins Link trolley service by the new and improved Collins Express, the significant advancements will increase coverage and enhance passengers’ transit experience. Collins Express limited stop service will reduce the number of transfers currently required to travel between North Beach, Middle Beach and South Beach by extending to Washington Avenue and Lincoln Road on the south side and 88 Street on the north end — resulting in quicker and more central transit service.
Facilitating transfers between the new Collins Express and existing North Beach Loop, the North Beach Loop route is also being modified, eliminating one stop along Indian Creek Drive and adopting three bus stops along the new route section. Replacing the circuit at Indian Creek Drive between 71 Street and the Indian Creek Drive/Abbott Avenue intersection, the fresh track along eastbound 71 Street and southbound Abbott Avenue will enable a smoother transfer from the North Beach Loop to other transit services at Abbott Avenue and the 69 Street bus stop.
The Middle Beach Loop is also moving on up – extending its operation along Dade Boulevard, Alton Road and 19 Street with the addition of two bus stops and easier accessibility to grocery shopping with an added drop-off at the Dade Boulevard Publix.
Establishing more direct routes and shorter ride times, trolley riders can now enjoy a more convenient ride for their unique needs. Riders can find trolley routes by visiting www.miamibeachtrolley.com and track the trolley in real time by downloading the free Miami Beach eGov app.
