Jaunted

What is this thing that sounds like someone's idea of the future, circa 1987, you might ask? The Miami Intermodal Center is, like the Airport Flyer bus we so love, designed to help alleviate traffic in and out of MIA, and actually make people want to head towards, say, downtown Miami and not just South Beach.

It will do this by becoming a second hub/gateway to the gateway of South America—a transfer point that will gather up all those souls who made it out of MIA alive and shoot them out in different directions. Car rental types to the rental car center, tourists to Amtrak, Greyhound and tour bus stops, and commuters to the Metrobus, Metrorail and Tri-Rail stations.

At the moment, the nearest Metrorail station is at Earlington Heights, but an extension is being built to connect that stop with the new Miami Intermodal Center, essentially making it possible to ride from MIA into downtown Miami in about 15 minutes. For just two bucks.

The MIC will also mean people wanting to jump on the Tri-Rail (to, say, ride up to Fort Lauderdale airport) won't have to deal with a shuttle bus. Just this shiny new MIA Mover instead.

Yes, we know. The Future is confusing. But just remember: the MIA Mover (scheduled to be operational this fall) and the Miami Intermodal Center/Miami Central Station (set for completion by 2013) are all about making everyone's lives easier.

And, in Miami, hat's no small task. So, bravo, Florida Department of Transportation. We look forward to adding your shiny new toys to our bulging itinerary of things to do and ways to get to MIA!

[Photo: Miami Intermodal Center website]