JTA Skyway moves thousands during One Spark
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/2463124710_PLV2Tvr-M.jpg)
More than 44,000 Skyway boardings took place during last weekââ,¬â,,¢s One Spark festival, illustrating the positive impact of an active downtown environment and mass transit working together. Here's a look at the numbers!
Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2013-apr-jta-skyway-moves-thousands-during-one-spark
That's great. Just proves people will use it when the masses are Downtown.
Probably the best evidence we have proving that when the Skyway reaches out and touches people, it is a most utilitarian aspect of our broken transit system. This evidence points to expediency in extensions into San Marco, Brooklyn, FSCJ and the Eastside.
Quote from: Ocklawaha on April 24, 2013, 09:25:41 AM
Probably the best evidence we have proving that when the Skyway reaches out and touches people, it is a most utilitarian aspect of our broken transit system. This evidence points to expediency in extensions into San Marco, Brooklyn, FSCJ and the Eastside.
Indeed!
+1111
But, is JTA and/or the Brown Admin. listening? Do they care? Will expansion ensue? Does this CHANGE anything? Does a Skyway-naysayer look at this and say "oh boy, I was wrong"? Or do they write it off on something else? Can't help but be a skeptic on this one...
Quote“These ridership numbers demonstrate that the Skyway is a convenient and viable means of transportation. I anticipate that these positive trends will continue even after One Spark.â€
I'm not sure how encouraging a quote that is. Does anyone expect Skyway ridership to continue on this "positive trend"? Something about expansion, so that it would be viable when One Spark is not in town, would have been nice to hear.
10,600 on Saturday, though, that's a real big weekend number.
Well even 4,500/ day on a regular workday is nothing to sneeze at.
There is this thing called "unfulfilled" expectations which this city will face yet again if no action is taken to improve and grow the skyway. I do believe it is time to reintroduce city leadership to the reality that the skyway failed because it remained half finished. It's about time the city emboldens itself during these days of renewal and take positive action to finish and grow what could become one of our best assets. By the way, we have entered the day's of Jacksonville renewal, you can feel it in the air and experience it through the words and actions of our citizens. We cannot fall into another fitful slumber. Time to move forward.
(http://i.imgur.com/fxhubZE.jpg)
It is not only because the Skyway is unfinished, but the predictions of having 100,000 people working downtown on a daily basis never materialized, due to the surburban flight of many employers. Imagine if we had density, 100,000 employees, 10,000 residents. The Skyway would be packed all the time. I believe the lackluster ridership the Skyway has experienced in the past is in part a symptom of the illness Downtown has suffered from.
It's also the issue of a regional system never being built to feed riders into it. The physical structure of the Skyway is really the least of its concerns.
I will leave the specifics to you and Ock Ennis. :) You are the experts in this area. Me, well I am excited by the potential success and growth after a long period in this city of lackluster efforts toward building a better downtown and employing creative thinking when it comes to transport. We need to move way beyond installing a massive courthouse to make the needed differences in the core. I do think it is long past time that these issues are not only discussed but put back under the noses of leadership and JTA in a way that causes them to wake up to the fact that we seem to have been stuck in a "mind sludge" of what if's, why not's and the like. It is time at least for incremental steps forward to be taken in a way that is recognizable as real progress. Honestly, this city moves like dinosaurs when it comes to transport and it isn't working for us.
yes, that too Lake. It is more than just one thing.
Quote from: thelakelander on April 24, 2013, 10:45:37 AM
It's also the issue of a regional system never being built to feed riders into it. The physical structure of the Skyway is really the least of its concerns.
And you have to ask the question, why is JTA's only transit construction project (BRT) duplicating the Skyway downtown? Why not focus the dollars and efforts establishing a system that connects TO the Skyway?
I think a dedicated mass transit lane on both 95 and 10 on weekdays, connecting with off and on ramps in the suburbs and near shopping malls. Make them exclusive to mass transit to the connecting garages of the sky-way would be a less expensive alternative. Sure it may make more congestion in the beginning. But the next few times your sitting in traffic and see a bus fly by on it way off you may rethink your commute into downtown or across town.
Quote from: dougskiles on April 24, 2013, 11:08:20 AM
Quote from: thelakelander on April 24, 2013, 10:45:37 AM
It's also the issue of a regional system never being built to feed riders into it. The physical structure of the Skyway is really the least of its concerns.
And you have to ask the question, why is JTA's only transit construction project (BRT) duplicating the Skyway downtown? Why not focus the dollars and efforts establishing a system that connects TO the Skyway?
Inquiring minds want to know. Good question Doug.
Has anyone on the site met any of JTA's new leadership?
Quote from: Cheshire Cat on April 24, 2013, 01:00:28 PM
Quote from: dougskiles on April 24, 2013, 11:08:20 AM
Quote from: thelakelander on April 24, 2013, 10:45:37 AM
It's also the issue of a regional system never being built to feed riders into it. The physical structure of the Skyway is really the least of its concerns.
And you have to ask the question, why is JTA's only transit construction project (BRT) duplicating the Skyway downtown? Why not focus the dollars and efforts establishing a system that connects TO the Skyway?
Inquiring minds want to know. Good question Doug.
Has anyone on the site met any of JTA's new leadership?
Yes, Nat hadn't been here a month before Stephendare and I had breakfast with him at Juliette's Bistro.
That's good to know. Perhaps it is time for another breakfast. :)
You know Bob I was thinking about what you said a couple weeks back about short video presentations to get Metro Jacksonville ideas across to leadership in meetings. I wonder do the guys on this site who make that magic think it might be time for one addressing some of the things discussed on this thread again? Perhaps it could even dovetail back onto the importance of collecting that dadgum mobility fee. This would be something that could be shown to the council transportation committee for starters. Thoughts?
That meeting is coming on Monday, and includes JTA and the Mayors office. A follow up with the DIA, JCCI and Shad Khan may be effective.
That is fantastic news and I agree with the followup meetings. I am excited about all of this. :)
Several posters on this site have interacted with JTA's new leadership team....I believe they understand the big picture of transit and will do their to enhance our system.
That said, they can't do everything alone....it will take support (and sometimes patience) from the City, other state and regional leaders, and us!
Quote from: tufsu1 on April 24, 2013, 04:22:04 PM
Several posters on this site have interacted with JTA's new leadership team....I believe they understand the big picture of transit and will do their to enhance our system.
That said, they can't do everything alone....it will take support (and sometimes patience) from the City, other state and regional leaders, and us!
I am very heartened to hear this. You are right about the patience, but for many who have waited for decades, now is the time for a big push behind transportation. I believe the pieces and support will fall into place if people really understand how this issue impacts community wealth and viability.
" Patience' " It's 2013, we shouldn't be even having this conversation!!!!
How does this ridership compare to Gator Bowl weekend?
Just curious. I ride the Skyway alot during the festivities and it is extremely full.
Was One Spark still on on April 21st? If not, then it looks like the Skyway went back to its old pre-One Spark ridership numbers; if it was on a sunday, then that explains everything.
One Spark ended Sunday morning. It didnt run all day.
Quote from: ben says on April 24, 2013, 10:01:35 AM
But, is JTA and/or the Brown Admin. listening? Do they care? Will expansion ensue? Does this CHANGE anything? Does a Skyway-naysayer look at this and say "oh boy, I was wrong"? Or do they write it off on something else? Can't help but be a skeptic on this one...
Then there's this. I like the Skyway. It's an enjoyable ride... as long as you don't have to rely on it, which goes for all of JTA. It's a complete joke.
Until the city uplifts the downtown area to bring more traffic and patronage we will not see a large rise in the use of the Skyway. I believe we need a well run and maintained rail system, Skyway, and mass transit system in our area. As of now the system is a joke and no one makes use of it because there is not much in the downtown district as far as continuous enriched entertainment, restaurants, or social activities. So let us focus on the downtown district first.
I admit we have grown a lot in the last decade but we need more continued availability to permits and access to available entrepreneurs in the area, i.e. Food Trucks and other small business. Our downtown should be an area our citizens want to patronage as oppose to other areas of the city. As it stands now tourists come and go to areas like the Town Center and beaches, rarely seeing downtown except in passing. Lets focus expansion on the Skyway after we have uplifted our downtown district. We need our Chamber of Commerce to do a better job of marketing our city.
One Spark was an amazing contribution to our city and showed how we can come together as a community to make the downtown district thrive. However while speaking with many small business owners and start-ups during the festival, many were quite reluctant to have shops in the downtown area. This is a shame and our city council needs to do more for improvement before we consider an expansion of a antiquated rail system which is hardly used. I would like to see an improvement and expansion to the beaches area, however we need to focus on revitalization first.
QuoteUntil the city uplifts the downtown area to bring more traffic and patronage we will not see a large rise in the use of the Skyway. I believe we need a well run and maintained rail system, Skyway, and mass transit system in our area. As of now the system is a joke and no one makes use of it because there is not much in the downtown district as far as continuous enriched entertainment, restaurants, or social activities. So let us focus on the downtown district first.
In my research over the years, this has been one of the major problems that all downtown redevelopment plans have had in common over the last 40 years. We tend to put and treat downtown as if it exists in its own isolated bubble. Historically, downtown has never been able to sustain itself. Its health is directly related to its connectivity with the surrounding urban core neighborhoods. Thus, early attention must be invested to strengthening the links between DT and the surrounding 100,000 residents. So, while focusing on downtown revitalization, from the mass transit planning perspective, we have to simultaneously focus on improving mobility.
This doesn't necessarily mean first expanding the Skyway to Everbank Field. Instead, it could be an incremental combination of modifying the existing bus system and proposed BRT plan to complement and feed the Skyway with passengers. For the DIA, it could mean tying land use and infill opportunities with properties adjacent and within walking distance of the Skyway system already in place (i.e. Brooklyn developments & a station at the Skyway's operations center across the street). When it comes to cycling, it could be changing our roadway design standards, so when streets are repaved, bicycle infrastructure is included (i.e. bike corrals in an existing parallel parking space or a multi-use path replacing a roadway lane).
At the same time we're focusing on local things, we also have to be in position to jump on opportunities happening on a regional and national level. For example, if All Aboard Florida's rail line between Orlando and Miami proves to be a success in 2014, there may be an opportunity for that system to extend to Jacksonville. It just so happens, that those tracks already go through downtown Jacksonville. Keeping an eye on the planning of AAF could present us with an opportunity to have a DT Jax to St. Augustine link with hourly service (or make it easier to implement commuter rail on the same line) before we know it.
Any one know Skyway hours for this year? Also no stories on the event this year on MetroJacksonville?
Quote from: edjax on April 04, 2014, 09:30:10 PM
Any one know Skyway hours for this year? Also no stories on the event this year on MetroJacksonville?
I posted way back when the dates were announced and it got no interest. I haven't seen any ads here either.
I know they are doing well at getting corporate volunteers to help. A company I work with with had more people wanting to help at One Spark than they ever had before. They even had to schedule more training sessions to accommodate the extra helpers.
I have noticed a few random ads on ClearChannel's active billboards, but it seems most of the marketing has been organic.
They say they are expecting 130,000 people to flow through the event.
I have seen more press over the Berlin announcement than I ever did on the actual Jax event.
Perhaps my "clicks" aren't circulating in right websites.
News4jax has had a few stories. Also was a list of events in paper today. Just seems like a site that promotes the urban core such as MetroJacksonville not doing anything on the event this year is odd.
Thanks! I saw all of the coverage from last year and was hoping we would get same this year. Going to have a pre event story outlining various events and logistics? Thanks.
I personally think it would be good to have a story outlining the various events and locations along with info on skyway hours etc for the event. I am sure we could find it via various sites but would be nice to have it all in one place.
Rather you like it or not ( and I am sure you do :D ). Many I think come to this site to find out what is happening in the core first before checking other sites.
Perhaps no need to go into great detail as alot is covered on their website. But still think a preview would be nice with links to the various topics on their site. Also with regard to extended skyway operations I still do not see that addressed on their website, if they are to be espxtended like last year.
Just a FYI I did find the following on the JTA website:
Skyway Running Extended Hours for One Spark Festival
The JTA Skyway will be open for One Spark April 9-13. Complimentary rides on the Skyway will be available at the following times.
Wednesday, 6 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Thursday, 6 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Friday, 6 a.m. to 3 a.m.
Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 a.m.
Sunday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The lots around the Convention Center station will be open for complimentary parking as well. One Spark parking signs will be posted around the Convention Center Skyway station directing customers to available lots.
Quote from: edjax on April 04, 2014, 10:31:31 PM
Just a FYI I did find the following on the JTA website:
Skyway Running Extended Hours for One Spark Festival
The JTA Skyway will be open for One Spark April 9-13. Complimentary rides on the Skyway will be available at the following times.
Wednesday, 6 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Thursday, 6 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Friday, 6 a.m. to 3 a.m.
Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 a.m.
Sunday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The lots around the Convention Center station will be open for complimentary parking as well. One Spark parking signs will be posted around the Convention Center Skyway station directing customers to available lots.
This is excellent information and also excellent news on behalf of JTA. I wonder if the Kings Street Garage will be open?
Some JTA goons kicked us out of there during the Gator Bowl parade saying it was for permit parking only when we had done it for the previous 5 years. We finally gave up when they moved the parade route closer to the stadium.
We prefer to park at Kings Street and then board the Skyway from there.
I used to park at Prime Osborne to use the Skyway, but the gates were always locked or back when they had fares, the change machines were all turned off. People would jump the gates, pregnant ladies, strollers, wheelchairs and all back then. Hopefully we will avoid that this time. Go Skyway!