Artwalk and Riverside Trolley Live Blog - 11-3-2010

[Steve]

Evening!  Tonight, I'm going to take the Riverside Trolley from Riverside to Downtown for Art Walk, and back.  JTA is running the trolley until Midnight tonight, and as an organization focused on transit, MetroJacksonville is going to see how JTA does with their service.  Check back throughout the evening for updates!

BTW, please forgive the typos, as I did this on my iPhone.

[Steve]

I looked at jta's website for a map and schedule, and found this link:
http://www.jtafla.com/images/RiversideTrolley_ArtWalk.pdf

It says that the trolley will come by st johns and dancy at 6:23, and oak and Margaret at 6:28.  We got to a stop at riverside and Stockton at 6:24.

Note to JTA: low res brochure using light orange font on white; not a good idea.


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Update on this 11/4/2010 6:00 PM- Looking at the map in the link, the letters for the time points don't match the map.  C is supposed to be Margaret and Oak, and is really St Vincents.

[Steve]

BTW, the stop consists of a bench, trash can (which apparently people can't seem to put trash in), and a sign that says "Riverside Trolley", no schedule, no map.  I realize a schedule on every stop for a trial service is hard, but how 'bout a map?


JTA Trolley/Bus Stop

[Steve]

Trolley arived at 6:31. A little late, but better than early and miss it. When I got on, the driver told us we didn't have to pay, which I don't think was charity, I think he just wanted to get people on and get moving.  One lady got off when we got on (coming from Avondale), and about 10 were on already.

[Steve]

At Margaret and oak (one of the Five Points stops), about 25 people got on.  Wow!  BTW, a shout out to the lovely Carmen Godwin, executive director of RAP, handing out maps on board!

[Steve]

Just took a couple of pictures of the crowd to upload. Standing room only-not something JTA sees very often.  Could we be seeing the start of regular service this late?  Imagine, dine in Avondale, pre-game in riverside, and dance downtown?

Standing room only on the trolley.

[Steve]

Overhearing a conversation from someone at JTA.  Apparently there will be some sort of skyway party next month

[Steve]

Over 30 people got on at five points, across three stops

[Steve]

On riverside avenue at EverBank now.  Will be about a 15 minute ride from riverside to downtown.  If you include parking downtown, I think driving would take longer.  Not bad.

[Steve]

A very diverse crowd on here-Avondale families, young couples, riverside hipsters, and older folks.

[Steve]

The automated sign board onboard just plugged the Jacksonville Journey.  Wouldn't an ETA for the end of the route be more helpful?

[Steve]

6:46 stop at the landing

[Steve]

Wow, the Laura street construction really breaks up art walk.  The landing is so Disconnected from the rest of artwalk.

[Steve]

A great experience at Southlight gallery. Wayne Wood showcased photos of prarie style architecture, and the place had their anniversary.  Going to Hemming to apparently "feed a girl". More to come...

BTW, good live music on the street.  First Coast Wind Ensemble:

[Steve]

First storm trooper sighting