Problems with Gameday Shuttles?

[civil42806]

 believe the issue is that JTA would not be able continue the shuttle service if there is a private charter company who wishes to provide the service.  I couldn't find a lot of info from other cities.  Here are a few.

Baltimore: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4183/is_20080516/ai_n25446009?tag=untagged

Cincinnati: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2008/05/19/daily25.html

Seattle: http://www.metrokc.gov/kcdot/news/2008/nr080509_specialservice.htm

"It appears that Nashville and Baltimore have simply chosen to end service rather than first determining if a charter service desires or is willing to provide the service.

I can tell you that as of right now, JTA are still advertising the service, and selling advance shuttle tickets and passes for the Jaguar, FSU/CU, and UGA/UF games.

http://www.jtafla.com/services/sss.aspx

Of course, I don't work for JTA or have any inside knowledge, so who knows if this will change between now and August 9."

Hmmm I received my Jags shuttle passes in the mail so they seem to be planning on operating something.  Maybe all school buses this time with no city buses used.

[ac]

It doesn't appear (granted, my research was limited to Google and Yahoo searches) JTA plans on changing or canceling their service.  I think Nashville and Baltimore decided to scrap theirs, rather than wait to see if a private company would step up, as a CYA move.

Correction:  Nashville appears to be seeking out a charter service:  http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080711/NEWS02/80711025/0/SPORTS02

One would think they (JTA) would announce any changes now, what with less than a month until the first pre-season game.

I've sent an email to JTA customer service to see what happens to the shuttle passes if they have to discontinue service.

[adamh0903]

Jacksonville was ranked one of the top nfl stadiums to get into and get out of. I love the traffic flow on sundays, I can get to lot Z quickly and when its time to leave, I can get from Lot Z to US-1/Edgewood in about 10 minutes.

From the sports illustrated stadium rankings
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/10/29/fvi.jaguars/

ACCESSIBILITY
Parking  $10.00 
Driving access -- and egress -- is "the best in the NFL." "Although the stadium is located in the heart of downtown, traffic flows surprisingly well in and out." "Many roads lead into and out of the stadium" and "a lot of the streets become one way before or following a game, which allows traffic to flow easily." "The stadium is located downtown with easy access to major interstates." With "lots of experienced police intervention at key traffic points" fans "never sit in traffic more than 10 minutes" waiting to move. "Most fans take advantage of the public park-and-ride shuttle service, which allows fans to avoid downtown traffic" and still get "dropped off at the gate." As for parking "there is plenty of it for free within walking distance of the stadium." Should you hope to avoid traffic altogether, a water taxi from Jacksonville Landing on the St. John's River "takes you to and from the game with ease." 
SCORE  7 out of 10 

[urbanlibertarian]

If you need to get from Riverside to Springfield during the after-game blitz, what about taking I-95 or Myrtle Ave from Forest to 8th St.?

[ac]

Here's JTA's reply re: Game Day Shuttles for 2008-

From: "Joe Trottie" <Jtrottie@jtafla.com>
To:  (edited out my email addy;  yes, I'm paranoid)
Subject: RE: General Comments

Date:Friday, July 18, 2008 5:15:45 PM

Mr. C,
Thank(s) for you(r) interest in the shuttle operation for the 2008 season, but
more importantly, thank you for your continued patronage to the service.
As you have stated, numerous NFL cities will be impacted with the most
current changes in the shuttle operation that has been mandated by the
FTA.  Fortunately, the Jacksonville Transportation Authority has been
granted permission by the FTA to continue our shuttle operation for the
2008 season because of the continued due diligence of our staff who has
continued to follow and submit all documentation to the FTA in the
specified period that was allotted.  The JTA has always followed the
specificities of the FTA because of the importance of service to the
community.  The discussion of Private Charter Company's and Public
Agencies has been on going for the past twenty years, but a final
decision was made and implemented in April 2008 by the FTA with very
strict and direct mandates that must be adhered too by all FTA funded
agencies.  You can be assured that the JTA will continue to follow all
mandates and provide to this community the best shuttle service in the
Country. Please, purchase your 2008 shuttle tickets and game tickets and
enjoy your ride.  Thank you.  JT

[adamh0903]

Thats good, I dont ride the shuttle, cant tailgate on the shuttle

but it is a great service.