This photo essay follows a day in the life of a Miami commuter, documenting the routine of Luis Quevedo as he travels to and from work using the Metrorail. (Caplin News/ Camila Bretas)
This photo essay follows a day in the life of a Miami commuter, Luis Quevedo, as he travels to and from work using the Metrorail. While Quevedo’s typical schedule runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., unexpected delays and work changes sometimes push his commute into later hours.
For commuters like Quevedo, shifts in service can make public transportation feel less predictable. Maintenance work and reduced frequency outside of rush hours often extend travel time and require riders to adjust their schedules.
At the same time, the Metrorail remains an important part of daily life for many Miami residents. This photo essay explores both the challenges and benefits of relying on public transit.
Like many Miami commuters, riders often pay $4.50 for daily parking before evenentering the public transit system, adding to the overall cost of using Metrorail, asreported by the Miami-Dade County Transportation Department.A round-trip on Metrorail costs $4.50, and while ticket machines now support contactlesspayment, technical issues can sometimes limit accessibility for riders, the Miami-DadeCounty Transportation Department reports.Metrorail serves approximately 15 million riders annually, making it a key part of Miami-Dade’s transportation network, based on data from the American Public TransportationAssociation.Miami-Dade’s Metrorail system spans 23 stations, connecting major residential areaswith downtown and key employment hubs, per the Miami-Dade County TransportationDepartment.Aging infrastructure and maintenance limitations continue to affect rider experienceacross Miami-Dade Transit, where system conditions can influence public trust andusage.On average, nearly 50,000 riders rely on Metrorail daily for transportation across Miami-Dade County, based on figures from the Federal Transit Administration’s NationalTransit Database.During peak hours, trains typically arrive every 10 to 12 minutes, offering moreconsistent service for commuters traveling to and from work, the Miami-Dade CountyTransportation Department notes.Ridership on Miami’s Metrorail has been gradually recovering post-pandemic, reflectinga renewed reliance on public transportation, as shown by the American PublicTransportation Association.Off-peak service intervals in U.S. transit systems are often two to three times longer thanduring peak hours, increasing wait times for riders, according to data from the AmericanPublic Transportation Association.Off-peak hours often see significantly lower ridership, highlighting how demand forpublic transit in Miami is heavily concentrated during work hours, based on the FederalTransit Administration’s National Transit Database.While longer wait times can be frustrating, transit commutes can offer riders time forproductivity, an advantage that contrasts with car-dependent travel in cities like Miami,as noted by the American Public Transportation Association.Public transportation remains a limited option in Miami, with only about 6% of workersusing it as their primary way to commute, the U.S. Census Bureau reports.
Camila Bretas is a Digital Communication & Media and International Relations student at Florida International University with a strong interest in marketing and audience engagement. She develops multimedia projects through FIU’s student-run agency and coursework, and her work often explores themes of discipline and personal growth, as seen in her final triathlon story. She hopes to continue pursuing opportunities in media, marketing, and content creation after graduation.
Kaitlyn is a Digital Communications and Media major at Florida International University, with a minor in dance. She aspires to become a social media manager, combining creativity with strategy to build engaging online content. In her free time, Kaitlyn enjoys reading, dancing, and watching movies.
