AirJTA: Ghost Bus?

[gatorback]

wow!  Go JTA!  I appreciate you making bus riding better for eveybody who wants to use the service.

[JUSTDAVE]

There isn't any (nor should there be) incentive for the hotels to use JTA. Cab drivers pay to get calls on there cell phones to get trips to the airport.  Please follow up and see if these hotels are recommending JTA now. I seriously doubt it.   

[Lunican]

This airport route has been updated to include more frequent weekday service and the addition of weekend service.

The fare has been cut from $3 to $1.50.

http://www.jtafla.com/Graphics/Schedules/BusSchedules/ExpressRoutes/pdf/NS33_flyer082508.pdf

[TheProfessor]

I am glad some thought and graphics went into this bus route. If only that could be done will all routes and then market them to the public to increase usage.  With gas prices as they are I think people might open their minds up more and jump on the bus 

[brainstormer]

Mike,

I commend you for taking the time to respond first hand with information on the new AirJTA service changes.  If you weed through all of the verbal bashing JTA gets on this site(I'm guilty of this myself), you will find there are some brilliant ideas that I think are worth your reading and consideration.  Most members here really just want a better city, and speaking for myself, thoughtfully planned and functioning mass transit options will be a step in the right direction.

[Keith-N-Jax]

Had no idea this service was there, just went to NY last weekend left thurs and came back sun so I guess it would have not work for me since theres no service on the weekend,but it is a problem if the major hotels dont know this.

[Lunican]

As of August 25th, there is service on the weekend.

[reednavy]

On another JTA note, they are starting the process of BRT on Blanding!

[brainstormer]

According to First Coast News, it is creating quite an uproar!  Perhaps with all of the parking tickets being issued we can fund our starter rail project.  I'm sure the response will be much more upbeat and positive when we cut the red ribbon on commuter rail.

[Ocklawaha]

Mike,

I commend you for taking the time to respond first hand with information on the new AirJTA service changes.  If you weed through all of the verbal bashing JTA gets on this site(I'm guilty of this myself), you will find there are some brilliant ideas that I think are worth your reading and consideration.  Most members here really just want a better city, and speaking for myself, thoughtfully planned and functioning mass transit options will be a step in the right direction.

Agree! Mike, I certainly wouldn't want this to seem like a compliment (smile) but y'all are on track with this information and concept.

Ya, know that airlines will co-op advertising in their local brochures, or schedules and cards? TRUE. Also as we are not a air hub, we get many terminator and originator flights, have y'all worked these times out with JIA yet? Would be nice knowing I can be last flight in or first out and still AIR-JTA.

[Lunican]

Since this article was written, the Air JTA bus (now CT3) seems to be increasing in popularity. Most riders appear to be traveling between downtown and River City Marketplace, as well as the hotels along Airport Road.

Previously the fare was $3 and a regular transit pass could not be used. I think this kept many regular riders away. Now that the fare is $1 and accepts passes just like every other buses, it operates nearly full at times.

Saturday and Sunday service were added, however the frequency is only every 1.5 hours.

One dollar from downtown to the airport in 30 minutes is an excellent deal.

[exnewsman]

@ Lucien I concur. I used the AirJTA service a few months back and it worked great. It was only a dollar and took just under 30 minutes. Plus I didn't have to pay to park my car at JIA for several days. When I returned - I got off at Rosa Parks - then took the Skyway to Hemming Plaza and walked the last two blocks to my loft. Can't beat that.

No friends were unduly used, no outrageous taxi fees paid and still got home in a half-hour. The only down side was that the baggage was late coming out and I missed the first shuttle and had to wait 30 min for the next one - but that wasn't JTA's fault.

It would also be a great way to get to the River City Marketplace for lunch (from downtown) and eat at one of the restaraunts there. They have several - Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Cracker Barrel, Sticky Fingers, Boston's, etc.

[Ocklawaha]

BRT BY DEFAULT?

OCKLAWAHA

[Ocklawaha]

This is a bus on the west coast with an identical type express commute route.

OCKLAWAHA

[Lunican]

That would be nice. JTA's city buses aren't the best riding on I-95.