JTA running out of money for road construction

[jcjohnpaint]

Councilman Bill Bishop said this is a good time to rethink how road construction is done. It might be better for everyone if the city took over and let JTA focus on running the buses, he said.

"I'm not upset at all that the JTA is running out of money," Bishop said. "I think a lot of people will tell you that the JTA is not an agency that responds well to the public."

The city could be more responsive to the needs of the community, he said, because council members could directly advocate for projects and be required to answer to voters, something the JTA board does not do.

I don't agree with Bill Bishop on everything but I think he makes a pretty great point in this article.  What would be the negatives of having the city worry about building its own roads and having JTA focus on mass transit?

My thoughts exactly.  How many cities have their transportation authorities control road construction?  Just curious.   Also would JTA be in charge of construction of transit facilities if we moved to light rail, BRT, or rail based transit? 

[exnewsman]

Councilman Bill Bishop said this is a good time to rethink how road construction is done. It might be better for everyone if the city took over and let JTA focus on running the buses, he said.

"I'm not upset at all that the JTA is running out of money," Bishop said. "I think a lot of people will tell you that the JTA is not an agency that responds well to the public."

The city could be more responsive to the needs of the community, he said, because council members could directly advocate for projects and be required to answer to voters, something the JTA board does not do.

I don't agree with Bill Bishop on everything but I think he makes a pretty great point in this article.  What would be the negatives of having the city worry about building its own roads and having JTA focus on mass transit?

My thoughts exactly.  How many cities have their transportation authorities control road construction?  Just curious.   Also would JTA be in charge of construction of transit facilities if we moved to light rail, BRT, or rail based transit? 

JTA is not a city agency. It's an independant agency of the state.

[wsansewjs]

JTA needs to be put down like a fat pig with a tomato stuffed in its mouth, roasted.



-Josh

[duvaldude08]

Here's what I wonder. If we turned our transportation over to JTA back in the day, is there a way we can take it from them? Does the state have to be invovled? Or are we doomed with JTA forever?

[tufsu1]

Does the state have to be invovled?

JTA is a state-created agency....so yes, there would need to be state legislation to dissolve it

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

JTA needs to be put down like a fat pig with a tomato stuffed in its mouth, roasted.



-Josh

Sorry Josh, it's an apple - not a tomato....

[Dog Walker]

Stop!  You are reminding me of the last Buena Nocha celebration I went to.  Haven't had such good roast pork since.  I need Cuban neighbors again!

A friend is talking about bringing her boyfriend here from Cuba and setting him up with a roast pig trailer for doing special events.  Sign me up!

[thelakelander]

Does the State really have a say in the city choosing to not renew the gas tax? Also what are the cons for letting COJ Public Works handle local road projects instead of JTA? What are the pros for renewing and staying the same?

[Ralph W]

Here is the beginning of the hoop jumping exercise:
Committee Name: JTA-Jacksonville Transportation Authority
  Legislative Authority: Chpt 349, F.S.
  Total Members: 7
  Committee Duties: Mayor makes 3 appointments; governor makes 3 appointments; 1 member is designated by charter. Acquire, hold, construct, improve, maintain, operate, own, and lease in the capacity of lessor the Jacksonville Expressway System (hereinafter referred to as "system"), heretofore partially constructed or acquired by the Florida State Improvement Commission in the Jacksonville, Duval County, metropolitan area and as hereafter completed or improved or extended as authorized, and all appurtenant facilities, including all approaches, streets, roads, bicycle paths, bridges, and avenues of access for the Jacksonville Expressway System, and to construct or acquire extensions, additions, and improvements to the system and to complete the construction and acquisition of the system. May acquire, hold, construct, improve, operate, maintain, and lease a mass transit system employing motor cars or buses; street railway systems beneath the surface, on the surface, or above the surface; or any other means determined useful to the rapid transfer of large numbers of people among the locations of residence, commerce, industry, and education in the City of Jacksonville. May plan, coordinate, and recommend methods and facilities for the parking of vehicles, the movement of pedestrians, and vehicular traffic (including bicycles), public and private, in the City of Jacksonville, to accomplish a coordinated transportation system for the greater Jacksonville area. May construct and operate passenger terminals for the parking of automobiles and movement by public conveyance of persons and construct and operate all other facilities necessary to a complete and coordinated transportation system in the Jacksonville area.
     
  Meeting Date: (Meeting times and locations are subject to change.)
    Click for More Information:


Committee Members:
  Name Category     
  Burr, Edward E. Governor 2     
  Cavendish, Michael  Governor 3     
  Diebenow, Steven  Mayor 1     
  Harper, Donna L. Governor 1     
  Mosley, Alan  FL DOT District Secretary     
  Parker, Ava L. Mayor 3     
  Warren, Cleve E. Mayor 2     

Contact Staff:
  Name Position Phone Email
  Blaylock, Michael J. Executive Director (904) 630-3165 mblaylock@jtafla.com

[Charles Hunter]

Since it is a City-levied tax, I don't think the State has any say in whether the City extends, or increases the local option gas tax.  There is another nickel per gallon the City could levy. 

Changing the JTA, for example to get them out of road building, would require the Legislature to act, since JTA was established by the Legislature - back in the 1950s as the Expressway Authority.  The first step might be to get City Council to sponsor a resolution asking the local delegation to make whatever changes.