A new ferry service connecting Downtown Miami to Sunset Harbor in South Beach was launched in early July, allowing residents and passengers to avoid the long lines of cars that form every day. Miami Beach Director of Transportation and Mobility and Interim Director of Parking Jose Gonzalez said a few weeks ago that this is a one-year pilot program that many residents are excited about.
Service begins at the Maurice Gibb Memorial Park Pier and travels to the Venetian Marina and Yacht Club, which is located in close proximity to the Omni transit center, where passengers have a few ground transportation alternatives to continue moving around, such as the Metromover or the Metrobus. On the Miami Beach side, there is a trolley service with a stop across the street, which will also help to facilitate options for travelers.
Miami Beach residents like Mahsa Iranipour can hop on the Poseidon ferry across Biscayne Bay for free this July, which she finds convenient since she doesn’t have a car and the ride is spoiled by the incredible views of downtown and the skyline. “With inflation, everything is so expensive, so having this as an option would definitely be really beneficial,” Iranipour explained.
Ferry captain David Guthrie believes the service should be expanded to include more vessels that provide more transportation options for people. He also hopes that one day both cities will create the mechanisms and provide the funds to make this idea a reality for the benefit of the residents of both cities.
"Other major cities, like San Francisco, New York, have major ferry systems on their waterways, and I think Miami needs that," said the Poseidon captain about the need to expand this service in Miami.
The service is only available to the public, who must pay $12, since children under 12 are exempt from payment, as are people who have a Miami-Dade County golden passport. In the case of seniors, the fare is $6. There is a weekly commuter pass for $30 and a monthly pass for $120.
Poseidon departs from the Venetian Marina Yacht Club at the start of every hour on the hour, so it is advisable to arrive a few minutes early to board. Alternatively, every hour on the hour-thirty the water taxi departs from Maurice Gibb Memorial Park, located at 18th Street and Purdy Avenue.
Each person who boards the ferry means one less vehicle in the city, which helps to relieve congestion on the roads. The city has affordable parking. The Sunset Harbor municipal parking lot costs 50 cents per hour for residents who work in the city, and everyone else pays $XNUMX per hour.
