Photos of the New JTA Bus Shelters

urbanjacksonville · July 28, 2010, 09:08:44 AM

What are your thoughts on the new JTA bus shelters? I am reserving judgement on the design, but I like some of the eco initiatives they have incorporated.

MORE PHOTOS Â» http://www.flickr.com/photos/urbanjacksonville/sets/72157624601270094/with/4837067421/

thelakelander · July 28, 2010, 09:21:37 AM

I would have preferred more transparent shelters but I'm not going to lose any sleep over what was chosen. The important thing is that they protect riders from the elements and include maps of the entire mass transit system.

Chicago

stjr · July 28, 2010, 10:32:52 AM

Wonder how many lazy riders will step from behind the larger side of the shelter into the street to enter the shelter and then get hit - probably by a bus pulling up! Why is this designed with intended entry from one side only? The lack of visibility seems awkward, less user friendly (a JTA specialty!), and unsafe.

From the photos, we can't see inside the shelter but I don't see evidence of system maps or schedules on what is pictured. Another JTA missed opportunity?

TheProfessor · July 28, 2010, 10:42:20 AM

The copper color doesn't seem to look right with the black, but it may look better in person. I am glad to see the advertisement board, bike rack, trash can, solar panels, lights, etc. Definitely a step in the right direction.

stjr · July 28, 2010, 10:50:49 AM

Professor, now that you mention the bike rack (imagine it with a bike lashed to it) and trash can, I am wondering if this sidewalk can still support reasonable pedestrian traffic around the bus shelter. Seems like a lot of obstacles for through pedestrians. How well as all this been thought out?

fsujax · July 28, 2010, 10:55:11 AM

^^is all you do is complain? do you have any idea how wide that sidewalk is there? by the looks of the picture it is more than 12ft, could be 20ft...plenty of room for a freaking bus shelter and not blocking anyones way.

TheProfessor · July 28, 2010, 10:59:05 AM

There is more than enough room. There is not a huge amount of pedestrians anyway. hehe.

stjr · July 28, 2010, 11:49:17 AM

Quote from: fsujax on July 28, 2010, 10:55:11 AM
^^is all you do is complain? do you have any idea how wide that sidewalk is there? by the looks of the picture it is more than 12ft, could be 20ft...plenty of room for a freaking bus shelter and not blocking anyones way.

Complain? Let's face it, MJ is partly a "complaint/critique" board, so get used to it. Many of us are here to improve our community, see that the bar is raised, and hold our public officials and entities accountable. By the way, I was basically raising questions, not stating "facts". Don't be so sensitive. JTA has a history of less than great execution on projects and deserves to be carefully questioned. Do you work for or with JTA?

FWIW, the picture angle sure seems to show the bike rack and garbage can in the dead center of the sidewalk path to clear the bus shelter. I stand by my concerns based on this picture. If there is plenty of room, so be it. You made your point. And, I still voice my opinion that the shelter end wall going to the street seems awkward.

thelakelander · July 28, 2010, 11:55:54 AM

The bike rack faces the back of the sidewalk. There is a good 12 to 15 feet of sidewalk width between the front of the shelter and Bay Street.

Lunican · July 28, 2010, 11:56:24 AM

It is a really wide sidewalk. The curb is beyond the white van.

stjr · July 28, 2010, 12:06:37 PM

Quote from: Lunican on July 28, 2010, 11:56:24 AM
It is a really wide sidewalk. The curb is beyond the white van.

Lunican, I get it now! Since the van was parked in front of the shelter and the pavement changed color/shading at the front edge of the shelter it appeared to me the street came up to the edge of the shelter. It didn't occur to me that JTA would set the shelter so far back from the street or that we even had sidewalks this wide to work with based on most of them I have experienced. JTA gets "redeemed" on this one. Congratulations!

Ocklawaha · July 28, 2010, 12:22:17 PM

QuoteIn partnership with the Downtown Development Review Board, the new shelters were designed to reflect the character of the Downtown area...

Oh shit! Am I ever glad that somebody posted those photos, I thought for a moment that the shelters would consist of giant piles of broken concrete and steel.

Doctor_K · July 28, 2010, 12:30:11 PM

Quote from: Ocklawaha on July 28, 2010, 12:22:17 PM
QuoteIn partnership with the Downtown Development Review Board, the new shelters were designed to reflect the character of the Downtown area...

Oh shit! Am I ever glad that somebody posted those photos, I thought for a moment that the shelters would consist of giant piles of broken concrete and steel.

Ironically, if the shelters are meant to reflect the character of downtown, *thats* where the decrepit and dis-repaired wooden benches should be! Or better yet, no benches at all! Just a big open space!

But I digress.

In all seriousness, I'm glad to see that Jacksonville is starting to put on its big-city britches for a change. Better than the alternative!

stjr · July 28, 2010, 12:34:58 PM

LOL, is the guy with the blower just blowing the debris from the installation around versus sweep it up? Is that how we keep our streets "clean"? Just push the "garbage" around, never take it away?

exnewsman · July 28, 2010, 01:54:46 PM

Check out the photos on the JTA Facebook page and you will see a better view regarding the space in/aroudn the new shelter. BTW - this shelter has a system map and on one side side of the advertising panel is a stadium shuttle display with the locations of the shuttle lots. JTA has added a shuttle lot in Clay County (across from the OP Kennel Club) for anyone heading to the Jags games from the south.

http://www.facebook.com/notes/jacksonville-transportation-authority-jta/jta-debuts-new-downtown-bus-shelters/135648753141082