Trolleys to roll into Five Points

[Jason]

I think its apparent that Jaxsons want transit.

[JaxNole]

As I looked out the office window today, I noticed a healthy amount of riders at the Fidelity and BCBS trolley stops.

Great job with the sign, JTA


Here is a stalker photo from Tuesday

[Ocklawaha]

MikeMiller JTA
Member
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RiversideGator:
The name "Trolley" was not a product of JTA marketing but is the name given to the vehicle by Gillig, the manufacturer. Check out their website at the following address: http://www.gillig.com/New%20GILLIG%20WEB/trolley.htm 

Lunican
Metro Jacksonville
Hero Member
Re: Trolleys to roll into Five Points
« Reply #40 on: May 07, 2008, 11:13:54 AM » Quote 

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Thanks Mike, but I think you may have just incited a long posting from Ocklawaha...

BUT OF COURSE DARLING!

Thanks for the confidence! LOL! Gee, I'm getting a "god syndrome" with you guys... really I Don't bite!
MIKE MILLER IS CORRECT 100% on this one. It is marketing and the marketing is wrong... It's okay because most Americans don't have a clue what a "TROLLEY" is in the first place... So here's the skinny on the word:


TROLLEY: The "Trolley" is really that little wheel that rolls along the overhead wire to collect electricity and thus power the vehicle. Usually at 600 volts DC. These wheels are mounted on a spring loaded pole that keeps constant tension or contact with the wire. When running inside buildings or under bridges the systems often run off the wire and onto a upside-down "U" channel, known as a Trolley Pan. This prevents the wire from chaffing on the overhead. Rail cars need only a single pole as with Direct Current the negative charge is harmless and passes through the steel into the rails, this completes the Positive/Negative circuit.

So what about?


TROLLEY BUSES: Yep, they are TRUE Trolleys "IF" they have the twin poles that contact the overhead wires. Everything works just as above with the flexibility of being able to swing out (somewhat) around a stalled car or accident. The downside is the twin poles and wires as rolling on rubber tires prevents a complete circuit and there is no way to ground the bus. So one wire is positive and the other negative.

So what about San Francisco's Famous "Trolleys"?

Fact, San Francisco has a great trolley network both rail and bus, but if you are talking about the cable cars then NO, THEY ARE NOT TROLLEYS. They have no power onboard, and are pulled along on a rope cable laid in a slot in the middle of the track. A grip grabs the cable and with giant pulleys in the street and powerhouse, the cars are yanked up and over the myrid hills in the City. Cable cars are NOT Trolleys.

POTATO CHIP TRUCKS? What about us?


HA! HA! HA! You were kidding right? Ask your GM, Ford, or Chrysler Truck dealer to show you a cab and chassis, then go find the Lay's Chip guy or the UPS man to see what your riding in. As Mike said, it's all in a slick campaign from the builders.

OCKLAWAHA

[David]

That would be awesome if they extended their hours. I'd sooo love to leave my car at home in riverside, ditch the expensive monthly parking garage and take the trolley to work.

The only weakness in the route coverage I can forsee is for those of us who work in the north end of downtown, (Jea, fccj etc). 6 blocks is a good hike when you're coming back from lunch on a full stomach!

[Jason]

Doesn't the "trolley" stop at a nearby skyway station?  Just a quick transfer should be possible.

[David]

I believe so , but it's probably quicker just to walk the 6 blocks. I’m just being nostalgic and wishing I still worked in the Modis building, it practically comes to their front door!

[Dapperdan]

I spoke to a restaurant owner in the Landing, and he says business has trippled since the trolley started. See what happens when you connect the correct areas? Too bad there was no foresight to have the skyway stop right inside the Landing, and another stop in 5 points.

[Lunican]

Imagine the ridership that a real light rail or trolley line would bring.

[thelakelander]

It hurts to imagine.  I would assume we and JTA would be seeing the success that Charlotte and Houston are currently experiencing with their new starter light rail lines.  Plus, City Hall would be enjoying the good amount of economic activity attracted along the path of the shiny new trains.

[Steve]

I spoke to a restaurant owner in the Landing, and he says business has trippled since the trolley started. See what happens when you connect the correct areas? Too bad there was no foresight to have the skyway stop right inside the Landing, and another stop in 5 points.

I don't think the Skyway stop at the landing is as much of an issue - it's a block away.  The issue is the stops along riverside avenue - those people are isolated over there.

[thelakelander]

There's another large downtown destination that's also isolated.......Baptist Medical Center.  JTA would be smart to revisit the Southbank BRT proposal and link into Baptist Medical, as opposed to paralleling the Skyway down Riverplace Blvd.

[Jason]

I'd rather them provide that link with a free "trolley" route versus BRT.

[David]

I just gave the trolley a trial run on my lunch break to meet up with a friend for lunch and then walk home to change, it's insanely packed on there, and for good reason. It actually stops as places I want to go. It dropped me off right in front of Johnny's across from fidelity. They even had a regular JTA bus for the overflow on the route because so many people are using it.

If they ran this to cover normal business hours I seriously doubt i'd ever take my car to work, but the real test will be once the newness of it all wears off.

The only downside of course, is that it does take it's time to get where it's going. So if your pressed for time on your lunch break, you might be cutting it close.

[thelakelander]

I'd rather them provide that link with a free "trolley" route versus BRT.

I'd just rather not have several modes of mass transit (ex. BRT and the Skyway) duplicating and competing for riders with each other, while major downtown destinations, like Baptist, continue to be left off the beaten path.

[JeffreyS]

I believe it has already improved parking in five points and put more pedestrians on the sidewalks. We ate at Donna Maria's outside today and watched all the pretty 20 year olds and business people going up and down the sidewalks.  It didn't even seem like Jacksonville it was very vibrant, active and happening.  I think they have "made five points a scene."