JTA Skyway: Nation's Fastest Growing Rail System!

[Coolyfett]

The last two times I was in Jacksonville the Skyway was not even running. I wanted to ride it, but it was not running. Is this a good or bad thing? Ive always went on weekends.

[Coolyfett]

Sort of like giving away free access to streets, highways, and parks?

Im also of the opinion the Skyway should not be free, just fix the turnstyles and things would be good again.

[tufsu1]

^ It isn't that simple...JTA has upgraded their fare collection to a card-based system....the Skyway turnstiles would have to be retrofitted / replaced to the new system

[JeffreyS]

It should stay free it just really helps people understand what transits role is. Transit is so often punished for contributing to its own overhead and maintenance.  If it is free it takes away that stigma that we should be getting rich on the farebox.

[Keith-N-Jax]

Does anybody know how Miami runs it's Metro Mover for free?

[thelakelander]

^Via the public's vote to approve the People’s Transportation Plan (PTP) in 2003. The PTP was a referendum for a half-cent sales surtax to provide local matching funds for transit improvements in Miami-Dade County.

[Keith-N-Jax]

Thanks, I watched a cool video on you-tube about the metro mover. Its pretty extensive throughout DT Miami. Pretty much what the Skyway should have or hopefully becomes in time.

[tufsu1]

Does anybody know how Miami runs it's Metro Mover for free?

the surtax Lake mentioned....plus they've always had free transfers from metrorail to metromover

[dougskiles]

^Via the public's vote to approve the People’s Transportation Plan (PTP) in 2003. The PTP was a referendum for a half-cent sales surtax to provide local matching funds for transit improvements in Miami-Dade County.

Since sales tax can only be used for capital improvements, how can they spend it on operations?

[thelakelander]

Not sure. Why can't a sales tax be used as a dedicated transit funding source? At the time, when the tax passed, Metrorail service was extended to 24 hours/day.  However, 24/7 operations were cancelled due to low ridership.

Miami Consumers in Miami-Dade County won't start paying a half-penny sales tax for transportation until next year. But some commuters Wednesday were already enjoying the benefits of the $17 billion plan that voters approved by a 2-to-1 margin in Tuesday's election.

Fares on downtown Miami's elevated trolleys known as the Metromover are now free for everyone. People ages 65 and older, regardless of income, also can board Metrorail trains and county buses for free.

The free rides were two key components of the so-called "People's Transportation Plan," a lengthy proposal that promises to build eight new Metrorail lines, double the county's bus fleet and add 22 bus routes, and improve major roads such as accident-plagued Krome Avenue and streets leading into downtown.

The sales tax will increase Jan. 1 from 6.5 percent per dollar to 7 percent and cost the average consumer about $50 a year.

full Nov. 7, 2002 article: http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2002-11-07/news/0211061340_1_bus-routes-sales-tax-citizens-oversight-board

[dougskiles]

I know that in Duval County, sales tax revenue can only be used to fund capital improvements.  Services have to be funded by user fees and ad valorem taxes.  I believe that is state law.

Gas taxes, however, can be used to fund operations and maintenance.

[tufsu1]

correct....so it is possible that Miami just switched some expenditures around...you know, paying for capital projects with sales tax money that was originally to be funded with other funds...and then use those funds to offset free rides

[thelakelander]

So did they break the law?

Alvarez said he understands the public's frustration. In an interview this week, the mayor said he was among those persuaded to vote for the tax when he was police director in 2002; he went so far as to convince his skeptical relatives to support it, as well.

The sales tax was supposed to attract billions in matching federal dollars, revolutionize the transit system and unclog the region's traffic-choked streets.

Six years and more than $900 million later, most of the money has been spent propping up routine operations at the county's deficit-plagued transit agency or on tiny public works contracts that have done little to improve traffic flow.

"Promises were made -- not by us -- that we couldn't keep," Alvarez said. "If my administration has a fault [in this], it's that we've taken five years . . . trying hard to keep these promises. But we have to face facts."

Alvarez recognizes there isn't enough money to come close to fulfilling all of the ambitious promises that former Mayor Alex Penelas laid out in the People's Transportation Plan.

"One plus one equals two. It doesn't equal four," Alvarez said. "It's time to move forward."

Shortly after the 2002 election, top county and transit leaders slid more than $700 million in additional projects into the spending plan that voters never considered, a Miami Herald investigation revealed this year.

Instead of "New Money for New Projects" the county was now paying to repair, replace and update problems that had not been dealt with for decades.

Commissioners gutted a Citizens Independent Transportation Trust from the outset, replacing it with a rubber-stamp advisory panel with limited powers that is often outflanked by top county managers and transit leaders.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/multimedia/news/transit/fallout5.html#storylink=cpy