MIAMI METRORAIL: WHITE ELEPHANT OR ASSET FOR THE FUTURE?

With the operating of its 1.9-mile people mover, Metromover, and already operating the 21-mile rapid transit line, Miami-Dade Transportation Administration (MDTA) has now completed the first phase of the guideway transportation system for that Florida metropolitan region. Because Metrorail ridership to date has been far less than consultants forecast, MDTA management has kicked off a marketing program that will stress bus/rail coordination. Plans for the entire guideway system were completed in 1978 when the situation as it involved energy, urban growth, parking availability, feeder buses and other factors differed substantially from today. A ridership of under 25,000 weekdays on Metrorail has aroused federal and local critics of MDTA funding. Compromises in route structure have had an effect on patronage. With Metrorail and Metromover now fully operational and a coordinated feeder bus service being implemented, improved marketing of the system is expected to enhance transit's image. Details are given of the rapid transit and automated guideway transit systems and of plans for them under MDTA's Phase Two program.