As you may know, greenerMIAMI is a frequent user of the MetroMover, and an occasional user of the MetroRail. And we had often wondered why there were no trash receptacles available at these mass transit stations.

Later we found the answer: 9/11. You see, trash cans are great places to hide bombs, apparently. But New York fixed this long ago, you say, with clear trash cans and bags…allowing easy viewing of the contents of said receptacle. Why can’t we have that, too?

Well, now we do. In the last month or so, clear trash cans and bags have made an appearance at some, but not all MetroRail & MetroMover stops.

As you see in the pictures, they are really cool looking, however, only seem to work if the trash is left inside the container. Oh well, nothing is perfect!

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Miami Transit has created a Summer Challenge to encourage the public to ride public transportation at least once a week this summer. After you do ride the transportation, they want to hear about it.

First of all, I think this is a great idea, and hope that everyone participates as often as they can. As Miami Transit says, it can be to work, to an event, to a weekend outing…the possibilities are endless. Through the feedback, we’ll be able to provide the local government with real information that can be used to improve the system.

I’m also officially pledging to take part of this Challenge. I will start it on Monday for easier tracking. As opposed to my own Transportation Challenge, I will not "create" any special trips. I will need to find a way to use public transportation to get around where I need to go…at least once a week. Wish me luck!

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The final in the series. See the Intro, Early AM, & Mid-Day.

2:39 pm - I found it. I almost can’t believe I found it. I got really turned around, which is kind of strange for me. My husband calls me his human GPS. A SW/SE confusion cost me about 5 blocks of walking.

2:42 pm - I’m on my bus. The driver looked in confusion at my Earth Day coupon. I’m sure I was his first of the day. This is my 4th bus. Fourth style. This is like a small charter bus with nice cushioned seats. Clean. I’m one of 6 passengers.

2:49 pm - Just passed my house.

2:57 pm - Mercy Hospital. Nice, right at the hospital. One guy that’s been riding with me from downtown confirms with the driver that we’re headed to South Beach. Oops. Nope, sorry, we’re going to South Miami. Different.

3:08 pm - Arrive in Coconut Grove. I probably could have gone one more stop, to get a little closer.

3:23 pm - Green Street Cafe, the Grapevine’s recommendation. I’m sitting at my table, and decide to choose my next stop, so I can plan it out while I wait for my Green Salad. I picked #3, MIA. That will have to be my last stop of the day. By the time I get there & back home, it should be getting dark.

3:31 pm - Enjoying my salad. There is an older woman to my side who struck up a conversation with some gentlemen sitting nearby. A former Grove resident that now lives on the beach, she tells them, "You can take the girl out of the Grove, but you can’t take the Grove out of the girl." I love it! In front of me is a table with 3 middle-aged adults…one of which is a woman, around 60, with long bright purple hair. Classic. I don’t think I’ve ever been to the Grove during a weekday. Lots of locals here at Green Street, but in no way crowded.

3:48 pm - The same gentlemen I mentioned earlier are kind of flirting with the waitress. The ask if anyone has ever told her she looks like Betty Boop. I’m not sure that would be taken as a compliment. ..but the waitress is cute & very nice. I’ve found that I should take the 37 bus to MIA. So I’ll just need to walk to Grand & 37th. Not sure how far that is.

4:27 pm - Boarded the 37 bus. It was more that 5 long blocks to get to the stop. A little confusion as to which way was North and which way was South. I didn’t take out my map because I didn’t want to look lost…which was pointless since I crossed the intersection 5 times to get to my spot.

4:31 pm - This is the same kind of bus as the one I took to Miami Beach. The back part is a little higher than the front. There are about 20 passengers. We’re supposed to arrive at the airport at 5:00 pm.

4:39 pm - Coral Way stop. We’ve now got about 35 passengers.

5:08 pm - Arrived at the airport. A teenager named Jonathan helped me out. He was really nice. He’s learning English because he just moved here last year from Columbia. I had originally asked his friend my question, but later I found out that the first guy didn’t understand me. He spoke Portuguese. Jonathan was impressed with my Spanish and says I’m only the second gringa he’s ever met that speaks Spanish.

After taking my pics at the airport, I check out which bus I’ll need to take to get back home. Seems like my best bet is the #7, which will bring me back to Government Center. It seems to me that it leaves at 5:31 pm, so I pretend that Alesh gave me the challenge to buy a guava & cheese empanada from La Carreta before heading back outside.

5:19 pm - I check the schedule again and I realize that I’m an idiot. That time was westbound. I want eastbound. I just missed my bus & will have to wait 30 more minutes.

5:24 pm - A lady just asked me when the next Tri-Rail shuttle would leave. I got up- to check the schedule with her. A bus arrives. I check the schedule quickly and it seems that it will be dropping off at Douglas Station (MetroRail). That works for me, so I get on. But I can’t remember which number bus it is. I think I’m on the #37 again, going east. I ask someone. No, it’s the 42. Sounds good to me.

5:33 pm - I check the schedule. It seems this should have left the airport at 5:27 pm, so it was a little early (or late?). I should be back at Douglas Road Station by 6:02 pm.

5:45 pm - We’re stuck in traffic in Coral Gables. Just inching along and hitting every red light. I’m so tired. What is all of this construction anyway? There are tearing up the streets. It’s just me & one other lady on the bus.

5:54 pm - Bus arrived at Douglas Station. Early also - maybe this was actually an earlier bus running late?

5:57 pm - MetroRail northbound arrives. I’ll take the train to the 3rd stop and get off at Brickell. Lots of kids on the train. Coming home from school, it seems.

6:04 pm - Arrive at Brickell.

6:06 pm - Waiting for MetroMover. normally I would walk all the way home from here, but I’m wiped out. I stay away from a guy who I think is talking to himself only to realize that he’s using his hands-free set for his cell phone.

6:08 pm - On MetroMover to Financial District.

6:09 pm - Arrive. Whew!

Thanks to everyone who participated (including Manola, who I previously failed to mention). I had a lot of fun, got a lot of exercise, and learned how to move around on public transit.

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