Catch A Free Trolley to South Beach

MIAMI BEACH — Traffic congestion and difficulty parking won't cut it anymore as excuses for not visiting the trendy South Beach restaurants, bars and nightspots that put this city on the map as officials cut the ribbon on the fourth and final leg of a free trolley service on Thursday.

“We are thrilled to debut the Collins Link route, which finalizes our local circulator trolley system," explained City Manager Jimmy L. Morales. “I hope all of our residents and visitors take advantage of using this free, convenient service to travel throughout the city — whether it’s to do groceries, a lift to school, or to visit the plethora of parks, cultural anchors, restaurants and shops this urban island has to offer.”

City officials inaugurated the Collins Link at a 10:30 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony at the 46 Street and Collins Avenue surface lot next to the Eden Roc Hotel.

While Miami Beach has always had an abundance of sun, sand, surf and art deco, it's never had a convenient way to get from one end to the other.

"Starting this Thursday with the launch of the Collins Loop, you’ll be able to go from 5 Street to 88 Street with transfers," city spokeswoman Melissa Berthier told Patch.

Three of the four trolley lines run from 6 a.m. to midnight while the Alton-West Loop starts two hours later, running from 8 a.m. to midnight Monday through Saturday. All of the lines start at 8 a.m. on Sunday and run until midnight.

The Collins Link runs along Collins Avenue from 37 Street to 74 Street. In addition to connecting the North Beach and Middle Beach trolley loops, it allows people to get to the Publix at 69 Street, the North Shore Youth Center, North Shore Branch Library as well as the Normandy Isle Park & Pool.

In November, the city took the wraps of the Middle Beach Loop, which linked local businesses and schools along 41 Street, Miami Beach Regional Library, Collins Park, Miami Beach Convention Center, the Botanical Garden, City Hall and other points of interest.

Completion of the free transportation system will be welcome news for the residents who live in the dozens of condo buildings along the oceanfront and in the nearby communities of Surfside, Bal Harbour and Sunny Isles. They will also now have expanded access to Miami Beach businesses from the 88th Street stop.

Each trolley carries an average of 25 passengers with access for wheelchairs and disabled passengers. Unlike other forms of public transportation, Miami Beach trolleys are equipped with free Wi-Fi for passengers, real-time tracking, security cameras and next-bus information through a TSO Miami Beach trolley mobile app for android and Apple devices.

“Traveling on our Miami Beach trolleys is the best way to avoid parking and traffic congestion, along with the added benefit of reducing our carbon footprint,” Morales added.

For a route map and other details, visit www.miamibeachtrolley.gov.

Photo courtesy of Miami Beach.