The Grove is always the poor step child

The Federal Transit Administration released $64.5 million in federal stimulus funds to Miami-Dade Transit yesterday, of which the City of Miami has been allocated $4.1 million to implement an eco-friendly rubber-tire trolley bus system.

“This project will improve the quality of life of the residents of Miami, create much-needed jobs, and provide and eco-friendly public transportation alternative,” said Mayor Manny Diaz.

Along with the trolley bus system, the money will be used for ancillary capital equipment such as shelters and signs, to provide a premium transit circulator system in the areas of Downtown, Brickell, the Health District, Allapattah, Overtown and Coral Way.

It's a shame that the Grove is not included in the project. I think many people would enjoy visiting from the other areas and bringing them in by an eco-friendly trolley is perfect for that. Why is the Grove always treated differently than the rest of the city? It gets sort of insulting.

The trolley shown here comes to the Grove often, it is run by a tour company. But a regular trolley bringing people to and from Coral Way and Brickell and connecting with the Coral Gables trolley would be very cool.

Above, you can see the trolley out on the street, as Fred Hunt paints in the window -- a perfect Grove scene to behold when people alight from the trolley.