No Cars For JTA Employees Until Mass Transit Works.

[CS Foltz]

stjr..........I agree! $kyway's only asset is that it is in place and it is running! However badly that might be and it is used to a certain degree. But 7 million a year to operate what is really a very short very limited commuter line seems to be a waste. That 7 million dollars could be used elsewhere to a better advantage for all of us just not the people who happen to live in that area. It is usefull for them but not someone who lives on the southside@

[thelakelander]

Is the $7 million figure correct (it was $4 million two years ago)?  If so, what is the $7 million being spent on?  Is there a way to reduce that cost while getting more out of the system?  Have the possibilities even been explored?

Btw, public transit does not break even.  What is the desired loss a year for the skyway (or any system) to be viewed as worth keeping?

[CS Foltz]

lake........that 7 Million figure was also included in a post on the JOL Forum. There was a post regarding the JEA and JTA Budgets sailing through the Council review and that 7 Million figure was included as the operating Budget for the Skyway. Not sure how it could swell to 7 from the 4  stated several years back though! No upgrades that I am aware of and we know for sure that there is no expansion planned. Just that figure sticks out in my mind and I have to agree....how did it grow?

[stjr]

Btw, public transit does not break even.  What is the desired loss a year for the skyway (or any system) to be viewed as worth keeping?

Lake, here is one possible answer to your question: Mass transit is worthy if it incurs losses less than or equal to those uncovered costs incurred (i.e. the subsidy) for the same number of mass transit riders making the same trips on our road ways.  Road costs should include ROW, construction and financing costs, maintenance and operations, costs of environmental impacts, costs of lower development density associated with roads versus mass transit, costs of excess travel time by riders in road traffic versus in mass transit, and, of course, the costs of putting vehicles on the roads including vehicle depreciation, fuel, maintenance, and insurance.  Perhaps the medical and social costs of higher accident rates on roads versus mass transit should also be considered.