Previous Transit Challenge posts: Intro, Week 1, Week 2, Week 4

I’d also like to note that I was disappointed to see so many people just leave their trash on the ground after the fireworks were over (including the people directly behind me!). I believe the local governments should have active and visible anti-litter messages especially at special events. However, maybe we can coordinate one run by greenerMIAMI in the meantime. Contact us if you are interested in being a part of this.

In other delayed 4th of July green news, Tie a green ribbon on this Forth of July.

-via Groovy Green Blog

Miami Transit

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!

11:08 am – It took me a while to figure out how to go. I decided to take the T route. It seemed like the easiest stop to board would be College North, but the MetroMover still wasn’t working. So I go out to take a shuttle. I was supposed to wait on the Inner Loop bus, but the Omni Loop came around and I decided to just hop on that. I was looking at my map and an older gentleman told me that I looked lost. He tells me he’s lived here 59 years. He can tell me how to get where I need to go. I tell him I want the T bus. He thinks I say "The Key" several times. Finally I say "The beach", "Oh," he says, "You want C to get to the beach." Then the bus driver yells back, "The T, that’s my normal route". Finally after a difficult to understand conversation taking place across 10 aisles of a noisy bus, the driver recommends that I get off at the corner to go to another stop that the T will soon pass by…otherwise I might miss it. Right…I forgot about having to worry about the timing off all of this! I got off, but too bad…I think I might have had a nice conversation with that gentleman.

So I’m waiting here at E Flagler & NE 1st Ave. Seems to me that the bus should be here around 11:19am, but I’m having a little trouble figuring out the map/timing on my schedule. While I’m waiting, I pick up some newspaper flying around and toss it in the trash. The 7A, 2, K, 6, 2(again), 10, 8, 9 go by…then the T!

11:24 am – Board bus. Show coupon. Get on. I’m one of 5 passengers. This is my first time on a real bus in Miami.

11:35 am – Omni stop. Huge stop. Good to know. The younger people on the bus tend to talk on their cells, text, or listen to their iPods. I check the schedule. I’m due to arrive around 12:05 pm. More passengers are boarding. They are paying. I feel bad, I have some extra coupons in my bag. I need to give them out soon or it will just be a waste.

11:48 am – We’re riding over the bridge & now are officially in Miami Beach. What a beautiful ride. A bumpy one, but pretty.

11:52 am – We’ve now got 22 people on the bus. The senior citizen seats are filled (with senior citizens). Something I’ve noticed is that if a younger person is using those "priority seats" and they see a senior citizen boarding, the younger person automatically gets up and changes seats.

11:55 am – This guy just got off with his CVS bags at a stop directly in front of his condo. Sweet!

12:15 pm – The bus is really emptying out. Eight adults, one child. 73rd & Collins. I’m such a dork, my stomach has been nervous for the past few minutes because I know I need to ring the bell for my stop soon.

12:19 pm – I’m here. And I didn’t even have to pull the lever. The nursery is pretty. Lots of plants that I’ve never seen before.

The nursery is a socially responsible project. From the website:

Serving the community since 1975, this not-for-profit 501-(c)3 organization works to provide a sheltered workplace for developmentally disabled adults, to provide them with marketable job skills, and to allow them to live more independent and personally satisfying lives.

I’ll have to write a little more about it later (in an update in this same post).

I didn’t get to drink a coco water, they weren’t open. I wonder if it’s only on the weekends?

I go across the street to the beach. The ocean looks like the Caribbean – light blue & gorgeous.

12:36 pm – Time to figure out my next stop. I pull out #2, Green Street Cafe…..TO BE CONTINUED (I need to get going!!! I’m looking for a southbound bus stop sign & start walking. It takes me 2 blocks  to figure out that I’m on a one-way Northbound street.

I cut over to Harding Ave. & find a stop. It’s going to be a little tricky to get to the Grove from here. I’ve basically decided to get on the next bus that comes – any route.

12:51 pm – Sweet! It’s the S. That looks like one that I wanted. A girl at my stop gets her money out and I tell her I’ll give her a coupon. I show the driver mine & say I’m going to give the girl another one. The drive wants to see "both, right here, right now". the girl looks confused & pays in the time it takes me to get it out. I give it to her anyway. That sucks that she paid. Oh well.

I’ve been on 3 buses so far today – all different styles (seating wise). It’s hard to count from here, but it seems like there are about 35 people on board.

12:59 pm – It looks like I’ll be getting off at Miami Ave & SW 1st St. I’ll want the number 48 bus. Checking the 48 schedule, I think I need the 1:40 pm bus. That might be a push.

1:04 pm – I just realized that the reason this bus is so big is because it’s a double. I’m sitting at the end of the front section & I didn’t even notice.

1:17 pm – We just turned onto Lincoln Rd. Bus is quite a bit emptier right now. I’m starving.

1:21 pm – Man, this is a bumpy ride . I just moved to the back of the bus. I’m sure it’s worse back here.

1:24 pm – We’re on Alton. A guy in a CVS Pharmacy polo shirt gets off. We just happen to be right in front of a CVS. Another drop-off right in front of the destination! I’m doubting I’m going to make the 1:40 pm #48 bus.

1:31 pm – Too bad people scratch the windows so much. It’s such a gorgeous view on the bridges, and really anywhere on the beach. We’ve only got about 9 people on the bus now.

1:38 pm – We’re passing the American Airlines Arena. I’m hoping that the 48 is running a little late.

1:41 pm – We’re in front of Bayside. Only 3 passengers on the bus.

1:43 pm – 1st Street. I wouldn’t want to be one of these drivers, that’s for sure. With all of the construction, they barely have one lane to drive in.

1:48 pm – I get off the bus after catting with the driver. I didn’t realize it, but we switched drivers mid-way through my ride. The road is blocked. I’m not clear on where I need to go. I wander around a bit, and the same bus driver comes around the corner (in the bus) and gives me a friendly honk and a wave. That’s nice! I pass a couple of stops that I think 48 might be at. I’m wrong.

By now, I’m almost back at Government Center & the Main Library. I’ll take a quick blogging stop & be on my way.

2:22 pm – Most of this post was written during this stop (the rest was added on March 21). I log off and leave the library.

This year marks the 4th annual "Red Carpet, Green Cars" – where eco-minded celebrities team up with Global Green USA and hybrid cars, to make a statement and a difference.

GreenerMiami applauds everyone arriving to the event in style, and in a green car. The traffic and idling on days like the Oscars is an extra reason to do the right thing.

And as for another Biz Idea for Miami, we’ve got plenty of big Latino and other events happening here – why not offer a way for Miami VIPs to arrive "green"? Or even a "green" taxi company?

You can catch the Oscars Sunday on ABC at 8pm ET, with Red Carpet starting at 5:30pm on E!

And don’t forget what Chili Palmer says in regards to his hybrid, "If you’re important, people will wait".

I’d like to send in some recommendations for the MPO’s UPWP:

• Add a carpool lane on 836 (Dolphin Expressway)
• Extend carpool lane hours – there is still significant traffic at 9am and 6pm, I would recommend an extension of at least 30 to 60 minutes.
• Work on some sort of incentive for people to live closer to their place of work, or use public transportation.
• Create some sort of "middle of the road" pass for public transportation users. If someone uses one train each way to get to work 5 days a week, they will spend $60/month on transportation. The monthly pass costs $75, which is only an incentive to people that don’t have any transportation of their own. Find a way to incent the people that just use public transportation to get to work.

Additionally, I would like to just give some suggestions for the MPO newsletter. On the Call for Ideas, there is no deadline specified, and it is not clear how to send in responses at all. There is a cut out on the back page that doesn’t even say where to send the suggestions. Additionally, a website should be listed with a submission form online. I found the website on my own, but could not find anything about a Call for Ideas. I hope we’re not too late.