The MAX: A New Name for JTA's Bus Rapid Transit

[thelakelander]

You're correct. I included a picture of it in the article.

[BackinJax05]

Once more the beloved JTA does something completely ass backwards, and pats themselves on the back about it.

Here's a BRT idea for JTA: Rather than build light rail along the S-line, drive buses & run over the pedestrians & cyclists

(Sure hope no one from JTA sees this. They might actually try it)

[wsansewjs]

The incredible amount of stupidity coming from JTA makes me want to breathe less and less everyday.

All I really can do is just sit there and watch the JTA's stupidity drowning the city into a financial vacuum and countless sets of failures.

Really, what can I REALLY do? Literally, REALLY!?

-Josh

[John P]

The whole thing is awful and doesn't make much sense. Settling for mediocrity.

[Adam W]

MAX, the name of the Portland Light Rail project, here's the story of the 'original' MAX.

THINGS ARE DIFFERENT HERE

In 1974, residents of Southeast Portland rejected a proposed eight-lane freeway that would have destroyed many neighborhoods, and officials decided to put the money toward transit instead.

At a time when pavement and parking lots were measures of a city's growth, this was a pioneering decision that marked a new way of thinking about how transportation affects our quality of life.

By the late 1970s the Portland region was embracing the idea of linking land use and transportation to help manage growth and maintain livability:

1976: The city replaces a four-lane freeway downtown with what is now Tom McCall Waterfront Park.

1978: The Portland Transit Mall opens, with one-way streets intended specifically for transit. Among the first of its kind in the nation, the Mall became the focus for downtown redevelopment.

1981: Instead of a 10-floor parking garage, the city builds Pioneer Courthouse Squareâ€"now known as Portland's "living room."
1986: MAX Light Rail opens between downtown and Gresham, using money initially earmarked for new freeways. MAX was one of the first modern light rail systems in the country.

Today, Portland is frequently cited as one of the best places to live in the world, known for its thriving downtown, walkable neighborhoods, extensive bike paths and comprehensive transit system.

"BRT, it's just like rail only CHEAPER!" (National BRT Institute)

In JAX perhaps that means we can fool our citizens to buy into the BRT sales pitch that this 'IS' light rail, only without the rails. Let's name it after a light rail system.

archiphreak, not only are our bus stop plans ho-hum, our JRTC plans are ho-hum too, so they'll match nicely.

I'm in OKC right now, when I return, prepare to be blown out of the water Jacksonville. OMG! We've got to pull our heads out!

OCKLAWAHA

It's also worth pointing out that Portland adopted an urban growth boundary in 1979. I know a lot of people on this forum are opposed to zoning, but things like UGBs can help stop sprawl and spur infill. It clearly worked in Portland and doubtless was a factor which contributed to the success of MAX.

[Debbie Thompson]

Naming it the same as an actual transportation SYSTEM doesn't make it one.   

[BrooklynSouth]

While we're on the topic of buses, I'd like to say that I believe tinted windows disuade people from riding buses in Jacksonville. In New York, the MTA buses have clear windows, so you can see who is on the bus before you get on. It makes it clear that your fellow bus riders are just regular people like yourself, trying to get across town, not scary drunks. Would you venture into an unfamiliar store or restaurant that had blacked out windows? And clear windows works as advertising for public transit: when you're stuck in your car, you can look over to your right and notice that everyone in the bus is relaxing and reading a book while you are stuck behind the wheel, driving. It's like the Metrorail in DC that flies by everyone stuck in traffic on 66. The Orange Line's rails are right in the median, so you can see all the happy, comfortable people blowing by on their way to work while you sit and wait for another accident to be cleared off of the highway.

[BackinJax05]

MAX, the name of the Portland Light Rail project, here's the story of the 'original' MAX.

THINGS ARE DIFFERENT HERE

In 1974, residents of Southeast Portland rejected a proposed eight-lane freeway that would have destroyed many neighborhoods, and officials decided to put the money toward transit instead.

At a time when pavement and parking lots were measures of a city's growth, this was a pioneering decision that marked a new way of thinking about how transportation affects our quality of life.

By the late 1970s the Portland region was embracing the idea of linking land use and transportation to help manage growth and maintain livability:

1976: The city replaces a four-lane freeway downtown with what is now Tom McCall Waterfront Park.

1978: The Portland Transit Mall opens, with one-way streets intended specifically for transit. Among the first of its kind in the nation, the Mall became the focus for downtown redevelopment.

1981: Instead of a 10-floor parking garage, the city builds Pioneer Courthouse Squareâ€"now known as Portland's "living room."
1986: MAX Light Rail opens between downtown and Gresham, using money initially earmarked for new freeways. MAX was one of the first modern light rail systems in the country.

Today, Portland is frequently cited as one of the best places to live in the world, known for its thriving downtown, walkable neighborhoods, extensive bike paths and comprehensive transit system.

"BRT, it's just like rail only CHEAPER!" (National BRT Institute)

In JAX perhaps that means we can fool our citizens to buy into the BRT sales pitch that this 'IS' light rail, only without the rails. Let's name it after a light rail system.

archiphreak, not only are our bus stop plans ho-hum, our JRTC plans are ho-hum too, so they'll match nicely.

I'm in OKC right now, when I return, prepare to be blown out of the water Jacksonville. OMG! We've got to pull our heads out!

OCKLAWAHA

Portland also isnt so hot to trot to demolish their historic structures. Anyone remember when the original Acosta Bridge was thoughtlessly torn down? Portland's historic Steel Bridge, which opened in 1912, years before the Acosta, was chosen for MAX to cross the Willamette River.

Rather than tear down the historic bridge, Portland kept it and retrofitted it for MAX. But whats REALLY cool about the Steel Bridge is the railroad bridge on the lower deck.

[urbaknight]

I'm sorry Jacksonville, but this looks like the future. My optimism for DT was short lived. I no longer have faith in our leadership. That's why I've been working on my exit plan. I've been looking at Major cities all over the Northeast and West coast, Boston and Portland were my most recent points of interest. I really like Portland, can anyone tell me about the cost of living there? I'm legally blind and on SSI, are there services for the blind? Can I get a low rent apartment without living in a crime infested war zone, while also being close to mass transit?

[BackinJax05]

^^ Stay out of Boston. The winters are brutal, and Massachusetts taxes EVERYTHING. Cost of living is very high, too, even without all the taxes.

Portland is very nice. Oregon doesnt have a sales tax, but there is a state income tax. The cost of living is higher than Jax, but less than Boston. Tri-Met has excellent bus & light rail.  Like all big cities, Portland has its bad areas and clueless politicians.

Hate to see you leave. 

[urbaknight]

It's not a done deal yet. I'm just in the "considering it" phase. And though i never intended to stay here forever, I did make some great friends and plan to visit now and then. I just don't see any real effort on the city's part. I am quite impressed with the individuals who take it upon themselves to do something about it, such as the bar and restaurant owners. 7-11 opened yesterday, it was a flashback from NYC. People were coming and going nonstop.  There were some handfulls of people just hanging out on the sidewalk. And they weren't bagging for money either! (but I'm sure that's just temporary) Now, we really need apartments close by.

[BackinJax05]

^^ When you do come back to visit, return in the fall or winter when the weather isnt so hot

By then you can ride the BRT/MAX, and visit a downtown with no more remaining buildings, and plenty of parking/vacant lots.

[urbaknight]

Yeah I see that happening, I'd even bet money at this point . But maybe they'll at least be creative and call the MAX system, JAX MAX. Doesn't the rhyme just roll off your tongue?