New Marlins Park Train & Bus Travel Requires Preparation

The New Marlins Park is Open...well, not the roof.  Miami baseball fans like the A/C and shade.  Let's face it, if you wanted sunshine there's plenty of beach down the street.

I've attended two games at the New Marlins Park - both day games on Monday (April 30th & Memorial Day May 28th) both by Public Transit.

Tri-Rail ("SFRTA" South Florida commuter train) & Miami Metrorail & Bus are promoting public transit to Marlins Games. http://www.tri-rail.com/marlins/

Preparation is ESSENTIAL for Tri-Rail & Metrorail Travel

Knowing the Tri-Rail Schedule and having correct pass/ticket requires preparation. The Line to purchase a Metrorail Ticket at the Tri-Rail Transfer station Vending machine is easily a half hour. Many riders do not buy the correct fare and have problems on the Shuttle Bus, entering and/or exiting the Metrorail.

Shuttle Bus to/from Marlins Park is NOT Free.

Metrorail for riders transferring from Tri-Rail is No Longer Free.

To Marlins Park from Miami
Many Tourists and Locals are parking at or getting dropped off at a Metrorail Station.  Get off at Culmer and Shuttle Bus will take you to Marlins Park (between Home Plate and First Base Entrance**). You'll need $5 stored value on Easy Ticket/Card or an ALL Day Pass ($5) to get to and from Marlins Park.

To Marlins Park from North of Miami
Take Tri-Rail south to Metrorail Transfer Station. Go upstairs to Metrorail towards Downtown, get off at the Culmer Station. When you exit Culmer, there are Shuttle Buses to take you non-stop to Marlins Park (between Home Plate & First Base Entrance**). The reverse route takes you home.

**When Shuttle arrives at Marlins Park - Only use the Home Plate Entrance No matter where your seats are. The First Base Entrance has only a system of Ramps that are outside (hot) and go on and on and on.  Home plate entrance is immediately inside the stadium and on to a system of escalators.

The trip from Mangonia Park (furthest north station) to Marlins Park took 2 1/2 & 2 3/4 hours going there and 3 1/4 to 4 hours home.  A VERY LONG trip and NOT for "the faint of heart."

The weekend/holiday train schedule http://www.tri-rail.com/rider_info/ntm_wend.asp is awful for a 12:40 pm or 1:10 pm game time.  You'll be standing for 1+ hours waiting at Metrorail Transfer Station for the 6:07 pm Tri-Rail train North that was late both times.

The weekday Tri-Rail schedule http://www.tri-rail.com/rider_info/ntm_wday.asp is much better for the ride home.  For night games, there's the southbound "Special 5 pm" train for 7:05 pm games and a northbound train leaving Metrorail Transfer Station 1 1/2 hours after the conclusion of the game.

Easy Cards vs. Easy Ticket

Tri-Rail and Miami-Dade Transit both use the term "Easy Card" for permanent passes and "Easy Ticket" for the one day or short time use. 

The Tri-Rail (SFRTA) Easy Card/Ticket can be used on Metrorail & Shuttle...BUT you need to have at least $4 of stored value for the transfers.

Miami-Dade Transit Card/Ticket is NOT Valid for Tri-Rail fares.

Discount Easy Card for Seniors/Disabled

Tri-Rail Seniors (65 & older) & Disabled Riders Pay Half the Regular Fare. However, to obtain that fare you must acquire a "Discount Easy Card" from Tri-Rail Station Kiosk. Have proof of your qualifications. I spoke to several seniors who go regularly to Marlins games by Tri-Rail. Not a one had the "Discount Easy Card."

Note: the "Senior/Disabled" (Discount) Fare does NOT come up on the vending machine....unless you "tap" a Discount Easy Card.

Why you should buy the Easy Cards:

1) Tri-Rail - I store One (1) weekend/holiday pass for when I need it - Tap the Activation Device and board the train.  The lines at Tri-Rail vending machines are almost as bad as Metrorail.  I buy my "next" pass at the vending machine when waiting at Metrorail Transfer Station for the ride home.

2) Miami-Dade Transit I store One (1) Day Pass purchased online.  NO WAITING for minimum half hour at vending machine on game day.  Tap the gate on Metrorail to enter & exit and the fare box when you enter the Shuttle Bus - Easy!

FARES:

Tri-Rail Easy Card (cost $2) or Ticket - $5 All Day Pass on Weekends & Holidays. Up to $11.55 for round-trip on weekdays.  Add $4 of fare for Metrorail & Shuttle Bus Transfers.  Tri-Rail Easy Cards and Tickets are currently only sold at Tri-Rail stations. http://www.tri-rail.com/rider_info/fare_calculator.htm

Miami-Dade Transit Easy Ticket - You'll need at least $5 of stored value for game day.

Miami-Dade Transit Easy Card (cost $2) - All Day Pass ($5) or cash value can be stored on the card from online purchases. 

Miami-Dade sells the Easy Cards on the Internet and tickets at the stations.

2012 NCAA Lacrosse Final Pause to Honor Fellow Terp Ensign C. Markland Kelly Jr.

Charles Markland Kelly, Jr is the namesake of the Annual Award for the years Best Lacrosse Goalie in Division I, II & III

Charles' father founded and owned Baltimore's Kelly Buick and became President of the Baltimore City Council.

Charles was the star Terps Goalie up to October 1940. He was a Naval Air Cadet at College Park and left school to become a Naval Aviator.

On June 4, 1942 during the Battle of Midway; Ensign Kelly took off from the USS Hornet in his fighter plane to provide an escort for the carrier's bombers, he never returned and was listed as MIA (Missing In Action).

Many players from Maryland and Loyola played on "Kelly" facilities and fields at Gilman, McDonough and others in Baltimore.

Please pause this Memorial Day to remember the 70th Anniversary of fellow Terp Ensign Charles Markland Kelly, Jr. dedication to his school and sacrifice for our country.