We’ve got some ferry good news! In an effort to alleviate traffic, the City of Miami Beach is partnering with Poseidon Ferry for a year-long water taxi pilot program to transport passengers between Miami Beach and downtown Miami. This means you can say goodbye to sitting in traffic on the MacArthur, Julia Tuttle and Venetian causeways!
The new service operates daily from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., except during the hours of 2 to 3 p.m. to accommodate a shift change. It sails hourly between Maurice Gibb Memorial Park (18th St and Purdy Avenue, Miami Beach) to the Venetian Marina & Yacht Club (1635 N Bayshore Drive, Miami), with the trip taking about 18 minutes each way.
During the pilot program, the city said it is subsidizing approximately half of Poseidon Ferry’s operations at a cost of $600,000 and is seeking grants to expand the program in the future.
“The purpose of this cross-bay water taxi service is to provide commuters with a public transportation option to help decongest our roadways and help the city meet its long-term strategic goal of becoming less car-centric,” said José R. González, the transportation and mobility director and interim parking director for Miami Beach.
Currently, one-way fares are $5 for Miami Beach residents, $12 for non-residents and $6 for seniors 65 years and up. Children 12 and younger ride free. The city also offers a weekly commuter pass option for $30 and a monthly commuter pass for $120. Additionally, parking rates at the Sunset Harbour municipal parking garage will be reduced for ferry passengers, with residents paying 50 cents per hour and non-residents $1.
Find out more about the water taxi service and schedule here. The pilot program began on June 30 and is expected to run for one year.
