Save the Riverside Trolley Push: Riverside Trolley/JTA meeting

[urbanjacksonville]

http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=13452096&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=1&color=dade00&fullscreen=1

Over the weekend we produced a video to Save the Riverside Trolley and spur ideas about optional means of public transportation for the city. We are encouraging all friends, influencers and decision makers to Help Get Jacksonville Back on Tracks (get it!) and not only voice support for the Riverside Trolley, but a fixed-rail trolley option to connect Jacksonville's urban neighborhoods and beyond.

We want help spreading this message via social media, email and word of mouth to create a critical mass of support on July 23rd at JTA for the Riverside Trolley. We feel the trolley is, and will continue to be, an import economic driver for Downtown and Riverside businesses. To see the service dissolved would set us all back in a time when we are trying to build more connections in the city.

See the Facebook Event http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=137423262954585
See the video http://vimeo.com/13452096
Voice online support on the JTA site http://www.jtafla.com/RidingJTA/showPage.aspx?Sel=19
JTA event page http://www.jtafla.com/News/showPage.aspx?news=105

On July 23rd from 11am to 1pm JTA hosts a public hearing to present changes to the transit system, including Riverside Trolley.

I'm inviting you to join me at the JTA offices downtown to express your support for the future of transportation in Jacksonville. Support for the proposed Riverside Trolley service is critical to its continued success.

Are buses a sustainable answer? Is the Riverside Trolley the gateway drug to a fixed streetcar line connecting Urban Core neighborhoods and beyond. It could be if we show JTA that's what we want.

Please contact me if you have any additional questions. I appreciate you reaching out last week and I hope to see you on Friday.

Joey

[thelakelander]

I believe they are expanding the Riverside Trolley.  We have an article about it scheduled to run on Wednesday.  Here is an ongoing thread about the proposed changes:

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php/topic,9141.0.html

[urbanjacksonville]

Ennis, I've received conflicting reports that the Riverside Trolley is on the chopping block. So you are confirming that it WILL NOT be eliminated when it's funding runs out in September?

[thelakelander]

Yes, from my understanding service is going to be extended and upgraded.

[Fallen Buckeye]

I heard they're trying to extend the trolley down to Avondale and start running it on weekends.

[fsujax]

The trolley isnt being chopped, it is being expanded. Service to Avondale and on Saturday. Headways will be every 15 minutes. I still think it is important to let JTA know your thougths on this service and the future of streetcar.

[CS Foltz]

They need to continue the service..........they want to save a buck......fire the Mayor!

[tufsu1]

They need to continue the service..........they want to save a buck......fire the Mayor!

good point...especially since JTA is a state authority and is not connected with City government!

[thelakelander]

I believe the proposal is to save a buck by combining an existing bus route with the trolley.

[Miss Fixit]

I believe the proposal is to save a buck by combining an existing bus route with the trolley.

Now THAT sounds like a win-win!

[grimss]

Here's what's posted on the RAP Blog:

Proposed changes include combining the Riverside Trolley and the WS1 (Ortega-NAS) to create one route from downtown along Riverside Avenue to King Street, then south on St. Johns Avenue to Herschel Street, and west onto San Juan to Roosevelt Boulevard, then north to FSCJ Kent Campus.

The headway would be 30 minutes. During the lunch time, an additional vehicle is being considered to increase frequency to 15 minutes. The Ortega portion between FSCJ Kent and NAS main gate would be served by a Community Shuttle during peak hours only. A new NAS Community Shuttle would operate on base during peak hours connecting at the main gate with the Ortega Community Shuttle.

Although I love this idea, I do wonder whether the folks who treat this as a lunch shuttle will rebel against the additional drive time.  The extension to Avondale probably adds at least 10 minutes to the trip.

[Cliffs_Daughter]

Here's what's posted on the RAP Blog:

Proposed changes include combining the Riverside Trolley and the WS1 (Ortega-NAS) to create one route from downtown along Riverside Avenue to King Street, then south on St. Johns Avenue to Herschel Street, and west onto San Juan to Roosevelt Boulevard, then north to FSCJ Kent Campus.

The headway would be 30 minutes. During the lunch time, an additional vehicle is being considered to increase frequency to 15 minutes. The Ortega portion between FSCJ Kent and NAS main gate would be served by a Community Shuttle during peak hours only. A new NAS Community Shuttle would operate on base during peak hours connecting at the main gate with the Ortega Community Shuttle.

Although I love this idea, I do wonder whether the folks who treat this as a lunch shuttle will rebel against the additional drive time.  The extension to Avondale probably adds at least 10 minutes to the trip.

I'm sure Ock would see this as well, but doesn't that proposal sound a LOT like what the old trolley route was??

[ChriswUfGator]

They're turning this thing into just another city bus that nobody will ride.

The original idea here was to connect various dining and entertainment areas to foster growth. Like connecting Riverside to Bay Street, etc.

But now JTA, in all it's infinite lack of wisdom, has evidently seen the opportunity to pinch a couple pennies, and they are massaging the plans for the trolley so they can consolidate existing bus routes into it to save money.

Which means it's just one more crappy bus that happens to look like a trolley. Which ruins the entire idea.

Nobody will use this thing, and it will be a total failure, if they keep changing the route in these ways so it takes an hour to get downtown. 99.9999% of people in this neighborhood have cars, and aren't going to wait an hour to make what amounts to a 5 minute car trip. The only way the trolley will work is if it sticks to the original concept.

[fsujax]

make that comment on JTA's public comment form or on their facebook page.

[ChriswUfGator]

make that comment on JTA's public comment form or on their facebook page.

Done.