JTA fixing problems with skyway system

[duvaldude08]

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A day after a Channel 4 investigation revealed turnstile gates at Jacksonville Transportation Authority Skyway terminals have been allowing passengers to pass through without paying the 50-cent fare, JTA says it is in the process of fixing many of the problems with the transportation system.

JTA said it had kept one turnstile free for those who transferred to the Skyway from buses so they wouldn't have to pay twice, but others were taking advantage of that and not paying at all.

And at the Kings Avenue station, the entrance for those with disabilities was always open, so anyone could avoid the turnstile gates and walk through that one.

JTA Skyway passengers pass through a turnstile gate without paying the 50-cent fare.

JTA says it's planning on making changes, but as of Wednesday, they were still working on them. In fact, an announcement was made over the loudspeakers at one station Wednesday morning letting passengers know that they have to pay the fares despite the non-functioning turnstile gates.

That announcement had not been made in the last two weeks.

JTA is now watching for people on security cameras, telling those who don't pay to go back and do it.

At the Hemming Plaza station, one man was seen squeezing through the gate while another man tried to pay. But over the loudspeakers this announcement was made: "Excuse me, sir in the white shirt, you need to go back down and purchase a ride."

A broken disabled gate allows Skyway passengers to pass through without paying.

The announcement was made several times, and eventually the man came back out.

Turnstile gates that were broken and jammed up were fixed Wednesday, and those that could not be repaired were covered up so people who did try to pay for them wouldn't lose money.

Change machines that did not work previously were also working Wednesday.

The gates that do allow anyone to pass through still were not locking, and one security guard on the intercom explained why.

"They break it. We will fix. They will break and we have to continue to repair it," the security guard said.

JTA says it is working to make repairs and maybe come up with a different system for the turnstile gates.

[acme54321]

The "swinging door" types that they use in MARTA stations work pretty good.  The turnstiles at the skyway are a joke.  You could hop right over them.

[iMarvin]

I have always paid to use the skyway, but there have been times when I could just walk through the handicap door and go for free. It's good they're fixing this problem but how long will it be until they are broke again? Every time I use the skyway, there always seems to be something wrong with it. I hope they find a way ro solve this for a long time. They really should just get a new entry system like Atlanta or New York.

[peestandingup]

JTA says it's planning on making changes, but as of Wednesday, they were still working on them. In fact, an announcement was made over the loudspeakers at one station Wednesday morning letting passengers know that they have to pay the fares despite the non-functioning turnstile gates.

So they're expecting people to pay even if the means that allow them to pay are broken? Um, how does that work exactly?? Like, if the change machines are broken, is a JTA worker going to waddle out of wherever they're hiding & make change for me?? And is there going to be someone on hand to un-jam the wheelchair door when I'm trying to push my kid's stroller through it, or lift people over the turnstiles when they're broken too?? I'm being serious.

These people are a disgrace. I love how they act like they care only when they get busted by the local news for running such a shitty 3rd rate operation, when for years they've known about these problems, & despite user complaints, have done nothing to solve them. Then turn around & have the audacity to berate those same users is really something else.

You know what? This agency can kiss my rosy red ass. They'll never see another dime from me. Not that it matters, but still. I'm not contributing to these do-nothing scumbags anymore. Our only hope is that they're well on their way to imploding in on themselves & get replaced.

[Dog Walker]

Think how much time, money, effort and heartburn they would save by simply removing all of the control measures and let people ride the damn thing for free.  They might even SAVE money compared to what they are spending now on repairs, remodeling and monitoring.

[Jdog]

That was part of the reason the Metromover became free. 

[fsujax]

maybe the Skyway should be free too! or an honor system.

[duvaldude08]

They really should just get a new entry system like Atlanta or New York.

Well the story says that they may change the system. So we will see what happens.

[iMarvin]

They really should just get a new entry system like Atlanta or New York.

Well the story says that they may change the system. So we will see what happens.

Well I hope they do. I use Atlanta's every time I go there and it's always working. It's pracitcally imposibble to get in without paying.

[Timkin]

JTA's repair remedies could eventually cost more than the damn thing cost to start with.   Its like trying to thread a needle with a baseball bat.    Honor system / Free would be far more cost-effective. Cameras in place was smart... Seems they could have done that , at least, a decade ago and been ahead of the game.

[tufsu1]

JTA says it's planning on making changes, but as of Wednesday, they were still working on them. In fact, an announcement was made over the loudspeakers at one station Wednesday morning letting passengers know that they have to pay the fares despite the non-functioning turnstile gates.

So they're expecting people to pay even if the means that allow them to pay are broken? Um, how does that work exactly?? Like, if the change machines are broken, is a JTA worker going to waddle out of wherever they're hiding & make change for me?? And is there going to be someone on hand to un-jam the wheelchair door when I'm trying to push my kid's stroller through it, or lift people over the turnstiles when they're broken too?? I'm being serious.

I'm sure if the machine is broken, that would be a differnet story....this article is referring to the people who go around the turnstiles on purpose to avoid payment

[duvaldude08]

I watched the news last night and theyexposed everything. JTA admits that some turnstyles are broken and do not operate,the handicap gates dont lock and some of the change machines dont work. They claim they will have everything fixed by December, but the turnstyles are 20 years and its hard to find parts for it. THAT MEANS ITS TIME TO UPGRADE THEM. JTA is sooo....stupid. How do you expect people to use The Skyway is nothing works? Just trying to get on the thing is an adventure in its self. And its nice have they have attendant booths that are NEVER open. JTa sucks... PERIOD. People wanna use the Skyway, but avoid it for obvious reasons.

[John P]

There is major corruption and inappropriate influence at JTA along with a heavy dose of incompantcy from the top. Scratch beneath the surface and its eveident. I know it is a novel idea but how about putting planners in charge of transportation planning instead of purely political appointees? I feel sorry for the professional planners that work there but at least they have a job. Planning positions do not grow on trees these days.

[Ocklawaha]

Good point John P. It's the same thing with the award winning officers over there. First you appoint someone as an officer, then you create an award for mass transit excellence. Damn! "JTA won the award for mass transit excellence crowding out JEA and water/sewer officials." Next step, make sure everything you publish mentions the award winning service and servants...

About those VACANT attendant booths, I wonder how hard it would be to split up the JTA call center and distribute the employees among the booths... Hey if the phone isn't ringing, they could actually serve the public!

[GayLA]

maybe the Skyway should be free too! or an honor system.

.We use the "honor system" here in Los Angeles and it is horrible. We have the exact same turnstyles that Jacksonville uses for the Skyway and everyone either charges right through the one designated handicapped entry, which has no turnstyle or door to begin with. There's the random surprise of the L.A. County Sheriffs waiting at random stops and prompt you for a ticket, and if you don't have one...Fare Evasion is a $250 dollar ticket. I think it hurts the numbers in terms of ridership when it comes to "skipped" turnstyles, but at the same time..it's the cities responsibility to maintain a secure system and living in Los Angeles, there is nothing secure about it. When I lived in Jax, I paid for the skyway when I had the change, but otherwise...I can't take it serious enough to dish out my money to a 20 minute tour of Downtown Jacksonville