St. Johns Ferry to Break Even

[TheCat]

Although the six-month report on City operations showed the St. Johns River Ferry would lose money, its operating commission was recently informed the service could break even during its first year back under City control.
The Jacksonville Port Authority discontinued operation of the ferry Sept. 30 and the City agreed to operate the local link in May-port for Florida A1A since that date.

Under JaxPort’s guidance, the ferry continuously operated at a deficit and City Council charged the St. Johns River Ferry Commission with developing a plan of sustainability for the City to operate the service.

The Council Auditor’s office on May 15 released its six-month report that reviewed the City’s finances, including the ferry.

The ferry’s sub-fund projected a $103,607 deficit because of lower-than-budgeted ridership fares.

http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=539625

[FSBA]

You mean predicted to break even with a ridership increase and $200,000 subsidy from the city?

[Tacachale]

^It's probably got a much higher return than any other section of A1A.

[JeffreyS]

Now Tacachale you know that once any form of transit contributes to it's own O&M that triggers libertarians to think that said transit should make enough profit to eliminate the national debt. Now just straight tax funded roads those are groovy.

[CityLife]

Does anyone know what the status of the East Coast Greenway north of the river is? I know the portion from Amelia to just north of Big Talbot was just finished. I believe there were/are plans to bring it all the way along Heckscher to the ferry. I would imagine that when/if that ever happens, ridership will get a bump from all the bike riders.

[FSBA]

Now Tacachale you know that once any form of transit contributes to it's own O&M that triggers libertarians to think that said transit should make enough profit to eliminate the national debt. Now just straight tax funded roads those are groovy.

Who said anything about taxpayer funded roads?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyPEgIDhj5s

As to the topic at hand, the headline is "St. Johns Ferry to Break Even". That is a pretty disingenuous statement to make. The article linked says that the ferry MIGHT break even assuming ridership increase predictions come true, which have a history of not happening. Not to mention the already stated $200,000 subsidy from the city.

[Tacachale]

^Even on a bad day the ferry comes a lot closer to breaking even than any other part of A1A, not to mention all the many other roads and river crossings.

[tufsu1]

Does anyone know what the status of the East Coast Greenway north of the river is? I know the portion from Amelia to just north of Big Talbot was just finished. I believe there were/are plans to bring it all the way along Heckscher to the ferry. I would imagine that when/if that ever happens, ridership will get a bump from all the bike riders.

the segment on Talbot is slated for construction later this year...I think it is about 6 miles long

[Ocklawaha]

It's kind of funny TUFSU1, that the quoted 6 years of funding for the ferry is EXACTLY the same amount of money and the EXACT time length between paintings on the Captain Broward/Dames Point Bridge.