Metro Jacksonville

Community => Transportation, Mass Transit & Infrastructure => Topic started by: fieldafm on May 17, 2012, 12:10:36 PM

Title: First Coast Forum Transportation and Transit TONIGHT 8PM
Post by: fieldafm on May 17, 2012, 12:10:36 PM
Melissa Ross has invited Doug Skiles to be part of this show tonight.  Doug will be representing the In Town Neighborhoods for Better Transit Coalition. 

Very grateful that Melissa wants to include the community-driven desires of:
a) better transportation options that preserve the character and economic mobility of our neighborhoods and
b) better transportation connections to downtown that will drive future economic growth in this discussion.

It's paramount that the will of the community is present first and foremost.

As fuel prices continue their inexorable rise, the next First Coast Forum will tackle the issue of transportation and transit in the age of four-dollar a gallon gasoline. Jacksonville Transportation Authority Chairman Ed Burr says the agency will be looking at mass transit as an important part of its mission in the future. But what might that entail? What options are available to move people around the county more efficiently? What mass transit ideas is the North Florida Transportation Planning Organization considering?

As the JTA searches for its next chief executive officer, what opportunities are there to re-evaluate and re-focus its mission?

The city has also frequently been cited as one of the least pedestrian and bicycle-friendly in the nation. Bike advocates want an expansion of bikeways and recognition of bikes as a legitimate transportation alternative. But relations between motorists and bicyclists have oftentimes been acrimonious.

We'll also look at the question of whether sprawl can be effectively curbed so that future development will be more pedestrian-friendly.


Airs Thursday, May 17(TONIGHT) at 8pm on WJCT-TV and 89.9 WJCT Public Radio
Title: Re: First Coast Forum Transportation and Transit TONIGHT 8PM
Post by: dougskiles on May 17, 2012, 12:56:18 PM
Excited to be on the show, and thanks to Field for nominating me to WJCT.

In Town Neighbors for Better Transit is a collection of advocates from Riverside/Avondale, San Marco and Springfield.  Our mission is to speak with a stronger voice to JTA and COJ about the benefits of providing high-frequency fixed transit service that will connect our In Town Neighborhoods to Downtown, and thus to each other.

I have always thought it a shame that the most pedestrian friendly areas of town require a car to visit the other.  Hopefully that is beginning to change.
Title: Re: First Coast Forum Transportation and Transit TONIGHT 8PM
Post by: Tacachale on May 17, 2012, 01:59:54 PM
There's no better representative for this than Doug. Looking forward to it.
Title: Re: First Coast Forum Transportation and Transit TONIGHT 8PM
Post by: fsujax on May 17, 2012, 02:35:04 PM
This should be good.
Title: Re: First Coast Forum Transportation and Transit TONIGHT 8PM
Post by: dougskiles on May 17, 2012, 03:05:05 PM
I fear that you guys are setting your expectations way too high.
Title: Re: First Coast Forum Transportation and Transit TONIGHT 8PM
Post by: exnewsman on May 17, 2012, 03:38:53 PM
I hear Doug will also be featured in the upcoming Making Moves TV program talking about TOD in San Marco/Southbank area. He's a popular guy.
Title: Re: First Coast Forum Transportation and Transit TONIGHT 8PM
Post by: cline on May 17, 2012, 03:42:48 PM
Quote from: exnewsman on May 17, 2012, 03:38:53 PM
I hear Doug will also be featured in the upcoming Making Moves TV program talking about TOD in San Marco/Southbank area. He's a popular guy.

A JTA-produced show discussing TOD?  That makes me laugh out loud.  Thank goodness Doug will be on the show.  They need at least one person on it that will know what they're talking about- clearly JTA doesn't.
Title: Re: First Coast Forum Transportation and Transit TONIGHT 8PM
Post by: dougskiles on May 17, 2012, 04:07:55 PM
Quote from: exnewsman on May 17, 2012, 03:38:53 PM
I hear Doug will also be featured in the upcoming Making Moves TV program talking about TOD in San Marco/Southbank area. He's a popular guy.

I might not be so popular after that one airs.  Probably one of the worst interviews I have given.  My voice cracked a couple of times and I don't know that I made any sense at all.
Title: Re: First Coast Forum Transportation and Transit TONIGHT 8PM
Post by: jcjohnpaint on May 17, 2012, 07:45:13 PM
Only 15 Minutes Away ;)
Title: Re: First Coast Forum Transportation and Transit TONIGHT 8PM
Post by: tufsu1 on May 17, 2012, 08:05:01 PM
Doug is everywhere...he joined about 25 people at the JTA TOD visioning workshop today!

and no worries Doug...you'll look great on the first panel
Title: Re: First Coast Forum Transportation and Transit TONIGHT 8PM
Post by: thelakelander on May 17, 2012, 08:22:29 PM
Nice Doug!
Title: Re: First Coast Forum Transportation and Transit TONIGHT 8PM
Post by: tufsu1 on May 17, 2012, 08:28:07 PM
wow...how bad did Mike Goldman look....he's the FDOT local spokesman, but I can't imagine anyone doing worse

so eager to answer the bike lane question and he should have just stayed quiet!
Title: Re: First Coast Forum Transportation and Transit TONIGHT 8PM
Post by: CityLife on May 17, 2012, 08:29:49 PM
Fantastic job Doug and agreed TUFSU
Title: Re: First Coast Forum Transportation and Transit TONIGHT 8PM
Post by: Debbie Thompson on May 17, 2012, 08:53:23 PM
Good program, and I agree Doug did a great job making his points.   A few less overpasses and Riverside, Springfield and San Marco could be connected to downtown with a charming streetcar that would, in itself, be an attraction as well as transportation.
Title: Re: First Coast Forum Transportation and Transit TONIGHT 8PM
Post by: Charles Hunter on May 17, 2012, 08:55:53 PM
Good program!
Title: Re: First Coast Forum Transportation and Transit TONIGHT 8PM
Post by: Ocklawaha on May 17, 2012, 08:58:34 PM
+1,000,0000 Debbie

Doug you did a great job!

Same old drivel out of FDOT. Same mindless Skyway to the Beach/Mandarin question we hear every time. Same 'We're not dense enough' statements, and not one of the transportation officials had an answer. Unbelievable.

OCKLAWAHA
Title: Re: First Coast Forum Transportation and Transit TONIGHT 8PM
Post by: jcjohnpaint on May 17, 2012, 09:02:12 PM
Doug great job!  Good with bringing up the mobility fee moratorium.  Kind of funny that everyone kept talking about how cost was the reason this is so hard- and nobody aside from Doug mentioned the moratorium or the mobility fee! 
Title: Re: First Coast Forum Transportation and Transit TONIGHT 8PM
Post by: Bill Hoff on May 17, 2012, 09:18:05 PM
I tried to lob that overpass/street car question right in your direction.

Great job Doug! Couldn't ask for better representation.
Title: Re: First Coast Forum Transportation and Transit TONIGHT 8PM
Post by: dougskiles on May 17, 2012, 09:41:42 PM
Quote from: Bill Hoff on May 17, 2012, 09:18:05 PM
I tried to lob that overpass/street car question right in your direction.

Great job Doug! Couldn't ask for better representation.

I knew that was you as soon as it came on the screen!  I couldn't wait to answer it.  Thanks to all for the support and education in these matters.  It was a much more enjoyable experience because of the knowledge I have gained from this site.
Title: Re: First Coast Forum Transportation and Transit TONIGHT 8PM
Post by: fsujax on May 17, 2012, 09:59:46 PM
Good job Doug! thanks for all you do.
Title: Re: First Coast Forum Transportation and Transit TONIGHT 8PM
Post by: Noone on May 18, 2012, 02:36:44 AM
^ I missed it. Is there a rebroadcast. Its an important issue.