Credit: Miami Herald

 

 

Posted on Sun, Feb. 08, 2004

 

C. LUCAS,

TRANSPORTATION

 

 

It's a slow and bumpy ride from Point A to Point B

 

 

Since taking a job in downtown Miami last year, I have had the distinct displeasure of riding Metrorail to work. I have traveled all over the world, and Miami-Dade County's rail system is the worst I have seen.

 

The trains do not run on schedule. They constantly break down, making people late for work. There are not enough cars, and elevators and escalators at the stations often don't work. Some have been inoperable since I began this horrendous trip in August.

 

I take the train from the Dadeland North station. Because they are not running on schedule, the cars are jammed with people. There is no place to sit. Of the station's four elevators only one was working recently, and only sporadically. Riders have to use the stairs.

 

The People Mover at Government Center has the same problems. The trains don't run on time; the cars are dirty, hot in the summer and cold in the winter. There are no guards or other employees who know what's going on. If you ask them who to complain to, they say that they dont know. E-mails sent to the complaint departments are not answered; neither are calls to the complaint line. The phone just rings and rings -- or you are immediately put on hold. One day, I waited on the line for 41 minutes.

 

There are signs that say that the system is undergoing renovation. They have been there for six months, and nothing has improved. Ads encourage people to take Metrorail to ease congestion on the roadways. If we had a well-run system, maybe more people would.

 

Miami

 

I was driving on Florida's Turnpike, south of State Road 836. No one seemed to realize that South Florida is an international tourist spot.

 

I wasn't certain if the turnpike would merge into U.S. 1 and lead me to the turnoff for Everglades National Park.

 

I asked cashiers at both two toll plazas. Neither person had a clue as to what I was asking, and neither could assist me.

 

A short distance after the southernmost toll plaza, less than five miles from the end of the turnpike, a big, beautiful brown sign alerted me that I was going toward Everglades National Park.

 

The toll booth personnel's lack of knowledge was inexcusable and should be rectified so that visitors, especially our cherished international tourists, can be given directions to one of the areas treasured locations. They should be taught basic information about South Florida.

 

HOWARD KREPS, Miami Beach

 

 

I commute from Pompano Beach to southwest Miami-Dade four times a week. I have come to appreciate Broward drivers more than ever.

 

I can deal with the bumper-to-bumper traffic. There isn't anything anyone can do about it; there are just too many cars for the roads. However, I can't stand that nobody in Miami uses turn signals to signal that they are switching lanes. I constantly am cut off by these inconsiderate people.

 

Think how many accidents could be prevented if only people used their turn signals. I called the Florida Highway Patrol to find out if drivers could be ticketed for not signaling. The answer was, Yes. I was shocked. Why can't we enforce this rule the way we do with the use of seat belts? I don't know of anyone who now doesn't use them.

 

The trooper said that enforcement is their next initiative. Sad to say, even when drivers use turn signals, it only makes others in the next lane speed up. Unless you force your car into the lane, no one will let you pass. It's an endless run-around.

 

FABIOLA ARAGON, Pompano Beach

commute from Pompano Beach to southwest Miami-Dade four times a week. I have come to appreciate Broward drivers more than ever.

 

I can deal with the bumper-to-bumper traffic. There isn't anything anyone can do about it; there are just too many cars for the roads. However, I can't stand that nobody in Miami uses turn signals to signal that they are switching lanes.

:lol

Sad to say, even when drivers use turn signals, it only makes others in the next lane speed up. Unless you force your car into the lane, no one will let you pass. It's an endless run-around.

how true it is.

The problem is only going to get worse. The metrorail system is due for revamping starting "2015" :blink: However, by the time this is done, there will be 1000 more problems to solve and a greater area that needs coverage.