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.