Jax's Rapid Transit System Taking Shape

[Noone]

This is hardly a revolutionary transit 'system,' and certainly NOT RAPID TRANSIT by any stretch of the term. Don't drink the Kool Aid. As we've discussed over and over, this is just another bus, with a few extra gimmicks tossed in and labeled so that the masses expect this to be a sea change and the moment in history when Jacksonville goes big league. NOT EVEN CLOSE.

At best BRT is a very nice addition to rail, a improved, limited stop bus that moves slightly faster (although in practice there will be hardly a perceptible difference). We won't be getting some of the nicer world class BRT improvements because then the system would cost every nickel of what Streetcars would cost us. Without rail we will remain a city that is 'all taxi's - no airport.'

+1

[blfair]

I can't help but think that the places with dedicated bus lanes will probably only cause more net inconvenience than anything... unless there is some kind of smart signaling going on that helps the buses move through. I could see that helping at Jefferson/Broad during rush hour, but otherwise they are going to be governed by the signal cycles there. And your average person driving though is seemingly still mastering one way streets and right on red...

The other streets -- Forsyth/Bay east of broad, and especially Riverplace Blvd/Kings Ave (everything on the Southbank) -- really what was the last time a bus had to sit in traffic there other than maybe a rush before/after fireworks?

I'm actually really curious how the bus lanes are going to be accomplished on Riverplace Blvd -- it's 4 lanes w/ curbside parking spaces and a turn lane, and lots of cross traffic entering/exiting -- are they going to remove the parking or the turn lane or somehow accommodate it all?



(Google earth has gotten scary lately...)

[spuwho]

JTA contractors were standing up the new station signs on Jefferson today for the First Coast Flyer.

They had just finished standing up the Lavilla Station sign and there were a bunch of suits standing around looking at it. By the time I got around the block they had moved on.



Then 2 blocks down, they were just standing up the sign for the Courthouse Station.

[Charles Hunter]

Meanwhile, nothing has happened in months on the 2 Bay Street stations.

[thelakelander]

Pictures of the first First Coast Flyer bus in town today:

[Ocklawaha]

Jacksonville


Orlando

Any questions?

Wow, Jacksonville is getting a 'Rapid Transit System?' OMG! Just look at that photo... I mean no other city has one of these, damn, I mean a sign like that should cause excitement from Tampa to Tupelo. I'm so happy,  I feel faster already.

This should answer the question once and for all; "Has Jacksonville finally arrived?" Imagine the TOD, imagine the jobs, the mobility, the crowds flocking to ride a bus, imagine!  Say, I know a town in Oklahoma that has FIVE stop signs and one yellow flashing light, talk about big league cities. AWESOME. 

I can see it now, 'Welcome to Jacksonville, Wart of the World and in the Armpit of the Great Frog,' apparently all of the waters of the world are contained in the armpit of the great frog. The confluence of those waters is in obviously over on Myrtle Avenue.

S U C K E R S !

[thelakelander]

Orlando's Lymmo BRT

[thelakelander]

First Coast Flyer looks like the Kansas City Max:

[coredumped]

It's a bus, I'm not sure it calls for the mayor, a Congress women and a ribbon cutting ceremony.

[Tacachale]

Whatever, as a periodic JTA rider I'm just looking forward to more reliable and predictable bus service.

[coredumped]

Nothing wrong with that, but the hype is a bit much. Busses on schedule should be the norm.

[Tacachale]

Yes it should, but improvement is worth noting.

[aaapolito]

Will there at least be shelters at these BRT stations in Jax? 

[thelakelander]

Yes.

[exnewsman]

It's a bus, I'm not sure it calls for the mayor, a Congress women and a ribbon cutting ceremony.

It was the firsts CNG bus... which is a huge step up from the current diesel.