Public transport options in Florida
In much of the United States, residents and tourists alike find that a private car is indispensable for getting from one place to another. This is because public transport options in some areas are extremely limited. This is not the case in Florida, where a complex system of transportation choices makes it possible for visitors to reach their destinations even if they prefer not to hire and drive an automobile. Navigating the system can be a little bit of a challenge at first, however, because no single entity owns and controls all the transportation options available to Florida residents and visitors.
Amtrak and the Orlando monorail
The official passenger railway in the United States is Amtrak, which operates a major route crossing much of the state of Florida. Amtrak service can take tourists to the major cities of Miami, Tampa, and Jacksonville, stopping at smaller stations along the way. The state is also served by Central Florida Rail and, in Orlando in particular, the world-famous Monorail transports tourists in and around the vast Disney resort complex.
Local transport options
The city of Tampa, located along Florida's Gulf Coast, operates a streetcar system reminiscent of those that dot many older cities in the South. In the state capital of Tallahassee, situated in the northern panhandle region of Florida, a system known as Taltran helps residents and visitors to explore the region. Gainsville also operates its own regional transit system, as do the counties of Miami-Dade and Palm Beach.
Pensacola is served by a public transport system known as ECAT, or the Escambia County Transit Authority, which runs both trolleys and buses. Jacksonville is another city where residents and locals can rely on a publicly run surface transport system.
Bus systems in Florida
Many local counties and municipalities operate bus networks with extensive routes that can get tourists to locations quite close to their final destinations for the day. One example of such as system is Lee County Transit, which serves the city of Fort Myers.
In addition to these municipal systems, the state of Florida is also served by Greyhound, a company that provides a state-wide bus service appropriate for journeys of an hour or longer. Greyhound operates bus stations in most major Florida cities, including such places as Orlando, Spring Hill, Orlando, Tampa, Panama City, St Augustine, Ocala, and Clearwater. Many tourists find bus travel particularly convenient because they do not have to spend much time waiting for their luggage, which means they will have more time to enjoy the sights, sounds, and activities that characterise the destination they have reached. Bus travel also allows tourists to get a true feel for the extent and landscape of the state, something that they will miss if they elect to travel by airlines instead.
Ferry travel
Florida is a place where public transport options also sometimes include ferries. Visitors to Jacksonville may wish to use the St Johns River Ferry to cross the river, and in Fort Lauderdale, a water bus service system includes both ferries and water taxis to help locals and visitors to get around.
While having a car on holiday can be convenient for visitors to Florida, the state's public transport systems mean that it is by no means necessary.