Tons of Inter Miami fans ditch cars for Metrorail, Tri-Rail in rare transit win

After Inter Miami's first match at Nu Stadium on Saturday, hundreds of fans walked past the gridlocked parking lot and made a beeline for a nearby mass-transit hub.

Why it matters: That's just what Inter wanted.

• If it keeps up, it could ease traffic around the stadium and boost ridership numbers for the cash-strapped Tri-Rail train system.

The big picture: Seeing big crowds line up to take Metrorail, Tri-Rail and other public transit was an unusual sight in a car-centric city.

• But fans were lured by $10 concessions vouchers from the club and the prospect of avoiding the stress of driving and the price of parking.

My experience: I rode the Tri-Rail from Hollywood to the Miami Airport station, also known as the Miami Intermodal Center, and my train car was full of pink-clad fans.

• It was about a 40-minute ride and then a 10-15-minute walk to the stadium — longer on the way back with more fans.
• Tri-Rail is partnering with Inter this season to offer late rides for weekend home games, leaving about 45 minutes after the final whistle. (Saturday's train departed at about 11pm, closer to an hour after the game ended.)
• A weekend day pass is $5, compared to at least $45 to park at the stadium.

What they're saying: Many of the Tri-Rail riders I spoke to don't typically take public transit, but saw that Inter Miami was encouraging it and decided to try it.

• "It's gonna beat driving any time," said Alfredo Barreiro, a Hollywood Beach resident.

• Maria Orozco, of Davie, said the team's Fort Lauderdale stadium was an easier drive for her but taking the train should be less stressful.
• "Using the train is better because traffic is rough and finding parking in that area is even worse."

Rick and Nancy Blanchett drove two hours from Fort Myers to Hollywood, where they hopped on the southbound Tri-Rail.

• "I didn't know how many people were going to use it," Rick Blanchett, a Miami native, said. "It was a long enough ride coming over from Fort Myers, so this is perfect."
• The South Florida sports fans say they regularly make the trip from Fort Myers to watch the Heat, Marlins and Dolphins, but being able to leave their car behind was a first.
• "I'm hoping this really takes off," Blanchett said.