Miami Beach Ferry Program Faces Scrutiny Amid Low Ridership
- Miami is considering ending its free ferry service due to low ridership numbers.
- The service will still operate, but city officials are reevaluating its funding.
- This decision comes amid ongoing discussions about transportation efficiency in the area.
MIAMI - A pilot program in Miami Beach, aimed at alleviating traffic congestion, is under review as city officials consider ending a $50,000 monthly contract with the Poseidon Ferry. The ferry service, which transports passengers between Miami Beach and the City of Miami, has seen limited usage, averaging only 45 riders per day since its launch, according to City Commissioner Suarez. He expressed concerns over the program's viability, citing previous unsuccessful attempts to establish a ferry service in the area. David Ballard, a regular ferry user, shared his positive experience, highlighting the convenience of avoiding traffic and parking issues, especially during busy weekends. He noted that the ferry was full during a recent weekend, with logs indicating 304 riders over Saturday and Sunday. Despite this, Suarez remains skeptical, suggesting that the low average ridership does not justify the expenditure of taxpayer money. Captain David Guthrie of the Poseidon Ferry urged patience, emphasizing the need for time to build ridership. He provided evidence of weekend usage to CBS News Miami, indicating that the service may require more time to gain traction. The ferry's owner has expressed a desire to discuss the situation with the city commission before any decisions are made. As the city commission prepares for its next meeting in September, Suarez indicated that he might reconsider his stance if ridership numbers improve. The future of the ferry program remains uncertain as officials weigh the potential benefits against the current usage statistics.