(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1257061561_3vpv8Kr-M.jpg)
QuoteThe company that operates the water taxis on the St. Johns River in downtown Jacksonville has notified the city it will suspend service on June 6. City officials say they are looking for a new service provider, but "we do expect to have a lapse in water taxi service."
Channel 4 learned that HarborCare notified the city on Friday it will end the service due to issues caused by the reconstruction of the Southbank Riverwalk and the lack of an extension to its contract with the city that ends at the end of July.
"We still do not have a contract to operate and the construction project that is seriously hampering our income potential, we just can't continue to operate at a loss amidst all of this uncertainty," wrote Rosie Trout, chief transportation officer of Jacksonville Water Taxi
http://www.news4jax.com/news/water-taxis-to-end-service-next-month/26191194
Wow, I was just remarking this past weekend (albeit, a holiday weekend) how busy the water taxi was. I'm sure the southbank has hurt them, but I thought the friendship fountain stop was still open(?).
I hope they get a new provider, this is one of the things that makes jacksonville feel special vs other cities.
well shit, I was going to use it for the USA match
According to the article, the city contract required a provider to have six boats with a total of 350 seats, and a minimum of 40 seats per boat. The current provider (HarborCare) meets the first two but not the third. This sounds like a straightforward contract renegotiation.
Jax officials should get this done, this service is important and used frequently.
My first and probably last trip across the river. >:(
http://youtu.be/cmxEcfnDpvA
Why would they stop service the day before the USMNT soccer game?
Certainly they can fix this. Tons of business involved with that game.
Water taxi > Mayport Ferry.
Esp with this 6 cents gas tax, it's time to build a simple two lane low 'swinging over the channel' bridge from Mayport to Heckscher instead of wasting money on something for the sake of being 'nostalgic'.
Mayoral Leadership? Photo Op?
I've reached out to the Water Taxi to see if we can at least get them to postpone their plan to end service until after the USA match. I'll keep you posted!
I think most normal days its not that busy. Plus, its a pretty expensive trip to just go across the river (say from Landing to Friendship Fountain). Two or three people & you're paying some really high end luxury prices for that little trip, so most probably don't bother (which in terms hurts foot traffic in & around the water overall). I always felt this was something that should be integrated with regular public transit & JTA instead of contracted.
It's fairly busy whenever I've been on it during "normal" hours. I expect the issue is what they said, the Riverwalk construction combined with the city not giving them a contract extension.
I've been in touch with Mr. McDaniel who is the CEO of Jacksonville Water Taxi and he has informed me that the date for ending service was chosen because of insurance issues. They are currently trying to see if they can get an extension worked out in order to be able to provide service to cover the Team USA match on June 7.
Also wonder if the high speed river boat racing will affect those operations that weekend.
QuoteAlso wonder if the high speed river boat racing will affect those operations that weekend.
Downtown is a no wake zone. Don't see much powerboating between the bridges. Damn those manatees! :o
Quote from: mtraininjax on May 29, 2014, 06:30:41 AM
QuoteAlso wonder if the high speed river boat racing will affect those operations that weekend.
Downtown is a no wake zone. Don't see much powerboating between the bridges. Damn those manatees! :o
There is a P1 SuperStock powerboat race on the river June 7-8.
That would not affect the water taxi as the race is not being held downtown. The main spectator area will be at Memorial Park.
The city continues to have a penchant for putting out contracts and RFPs that have no foundation in reality. What operator is going to come into this situation, where it was barely economical to begin with, and agree to have that much seating capacity (50%+ of which will be unused at any given time) and that many boats running, e.g. basically oversupply the market at their own expense simply to meet the demands of the contract which doesn't subsidize or reimburse them for the arbitrary expense COJ has built into it? They're not going to get any bids at all, including by the existing operator, and the result predictably is no water taxi.
This is exactly like that Hemming Plaza venue management RFP, where they put it out for bid that the bidders had to pay COJ for the right to operate the park, and then COJ got to keep the income from concessions and events. They got one bid, that said we'll think about it if it's the other way around and you pay us $X. COJ rejected it, and nobody else ever bid.
Quote from: fieldafm on May 29, 2014, 07:23:30 AM
Quote from: mtraininjax on May 29, 2014, 06:30:41 AM
QuoteAlso wonder if the high speed river boat racing will affect those operations that weekend.
Downtown is a no wake zone. Don't see much powerboating between the bridges. Damn those manatees! :o
There is a P1 SuperStock powerboat race on the river June 7-8.
That would not affect the water taxi as the race is not being held downtown. The main spectator area will be at Memorial Park.
I still don't know how they're going to powerboat there, the law is 25MPH from Main Street to Charter point and then idle from the channel to the shore:
http://www.myfwc.com/media/415208/Manatee_duvalMPZ.pdf [PDF warning]
Did someone give the wildlife ample notice?
Quote from: stephendare on May 28, 2014, 02:29:17 PM
The sad thing here is that this is pretty predictable. There was steep and vigorous private competition for the water taxi market with several operators on the river at all times.
The city 'improved' things by taking over the lisence to be a water taxi company and forcing all of them to bid on the contract, cutting out private competition and establishing a single service.
It doesn't seem to have occurred to them that this is the outcome.
What happens when the one guy that you've designed things for closes?
Exactly, Stephen. Open it up to anyone who complies with federal and state regs. We might have to make sure there's not a turf war on our docks but other than that let the market sort it out.
Quote from: coredumped on May 29, 2014, 10:26:49 AM
Quote from: fieldafm on May 29, 2014, 07:23:30 AM
Quote from: mtraininjax on May 29, 2014, 06:30:41 AM
QuoteAlso wonder if the high speed river boat racing will affect those operations that weekend.
Downtown is a no wake zone. Don't see much powerboating between the bridges. Damn those manatees! :o
There is a P1 SuperStock powerboat race on the river June 7-8.
That would not affect the water taxi as the race is not being held downtown. The main spectator area will be at Memorial Park.
I still don't know how they're going to powerboat there, the law is 25MPH from Main Street to Charter point and then idle from the channel to the shore:
http://www.myfwc.com/media/415208/Manatee_duvalMPZ.pdf [PDF warning]
Did someone give the wildlife ample notice?
Memorial Park, not Metropolitan Park ;)
Quote from: Josh on May 29, 2014, 12:21:20 PM
Memorial Park, not Metropolitan Park ;)
DOH! Thanks for the correction! That's better, much more room, I wonder if they'll have boat parking out there.
Quote from: stephendare on May 28, 2014, 02:29:17 PM
The sad thing here is that this is pretty predictable. There was steep and vigorous private competition for the water taxi market with several operators on the river at all times.
The city 'improved' things by taking over the lisence to be a water taxi company and forcing all of them to bid on the contract, cutting out private competition and establishing a single service.
It doesn't seem to have occurred to them that this is the outcome.
What happens when the one guy that you've designed things for closes?
What was the point of limiting the competition?
What would be wrong with letting the free market sort things out by responding to natural demand?
Quote from: I-10east on May 27, 2014, 07:09:33 PM
Water taxi > Mayport Ferry.
Esp with this 6 cents gas tax, it's time to build a simple two lane low 'swinging over the channel' bridge from Mayport to Heckscher instead of wasting money on something for the sake of being 'nostalgic'.
I can't even respond on what you wrote.
Quote from: stephendare on May 29, 2014, 01:29:00 PM
Quote from: thelakelander on May 29, 2014, 12:51:21 PM
Quote from: stephendare on May 28, 2014, 02:29:17 PM
The sad thing here is that this is pretty predictable. There was steep and vigorous private competition for the water taxi market with several operators on the river at all times.
The city 'improved' things by taking over the lisence to be a water taxi company and forcing all of them to bid on the contract, cutting out private competition and establishing a single service.
It doesn't seem to have occurred to them that this is the outcome.
What happens when the one guy that you've designed things for closes?
What was the point of limiting the competition?
What would be wrong with letting the free market sort things out by responding to natural demand?
It was the one area of economic growth and activity going on in the downtown, it got acrimonious as there was real old fashioned competition finally (which no one had any experience with anymore) and the 'powers that were' simply couldn't sit around on their hands without 'improving' it.
Sounds like it's another case of the "Good 'ol Boys" looking out for a buddy....
I think it's more "We must control this because we can." The urge seems to be irresistable.
The city is buying 2 water taxis.
http://www.news4jax.com/news/jacksonville-water-taxi-service-ending/26347578 (http://www.news4jax.com/news/jacksonville-water-taxi-service-ending/26347578)
QuoteAnd with a slew of events happening downtown this weekend, many at the same time, the city began looking for an emergency solution.
The result: purchase two water taxis as a short-term solution. The city said it will buy a 102-seat boat and a 50-seat boat, with the long-term goal of selling them when it hires a new contractor.
In the meantime, the city said the price to ride won't change, but the routes will, depending on what works best.
Jacksonville Water Taxi's contract with the city is expiring, and last month the city rejected its bid for a new long-term contract.
"We have been honored to provide marine transportation services to the city of Jacksonville and hoped we would be afforded the opportunity to continue providing such vital transportation services," said Michael McDaniel, president and chief executive officer of Jacksonville Water Taxi. "It has been our privilege to serve the city, its residents, visitors and football fans; however, the rejection of our bid to continue service coupled with the expiration of our prior contract has left us with no option other than to initiate the withdrawal of our vessels."
Read the termination letter from the last water taxi contractor:
http://www.news4jax.com/blob/view/-/26347590/data/1/-/bkpl9xz/-/Jacksonville-Water-Taxi-termination-notice.pdf (http://www.news4jax.com/blob/view/-/26347590/data/1/-/bkpl9xz/-/Jacksonville-Water-Taxi-termination-notice.pdf)
Wow, this administration knows no bounds with regard to incompetence. Oh yea, broke city buys two boats. I see Skipper Brown manning one of them Saturday with photographers only on the initial run.
So...how can we find out the routes for the taxis this weekend? We'd really like to use one to get to the soccer game.
I would keep googling it as they should post before 11:00 am Saturday as that is when they take over operations. My guess would be The Landing and a couple of spots on the Southbank, Firendship Park perhaps.
I would catch it early though as they are going to have half the normal capacity.
Unbelievable. I am totally floored by how this could possible happen. A contractor in place, seemingly ready to be very flexible in accommodating the city's interests and serving the public. What was the issue? Things like this are so aggravating.
Is it too late to try and work a last-minute deal with the existing company?
The City has certified boat captains on staff?
Wow. I've in the past given Mayor Brown's administration the benefit of the doubt on a few things that some on here haven't, but seriously, someone's heads (maybe the Mayor himself) need to roll on this one. How do you just let the contract run out?
If the current provider isn't your choice then so be it. But have an RFP period in advance enough so if you pick someone else you can have an orderly transition of services.
Who determines to put out a RFP? Is it our the mayor's office, the city council, or some unelected career city worker?
Which makes me wonder, how the heck can this city government manage to do anything of value for its citizen's when it can't even manage to keep freaking water taxi service going?
Disclosure - I do did use the water taxi for the Jags games. So there's an extra $25 a game I have shell out for parking at the stadium.
Not to mention the boats are to be delivered either tomorrow or Saturday morning at a cost of 332k.
Someone asked but I can't find the answer: are they going to rotate City Council Members operating these ships?
Quote from: Buforddawg on June 05, 2014, 09:11:04 PM
Who determines to put out a RFP? Is it our the mayor's office, the city council, or some unelected career city worker?
Which makes me wonder, how the heck can this city government manage to do anything of value for its citizen's when it can't even manage to keep freaking water taxi service going?
Disclosure - I do did use the water taxi for the Jags games. So there's an extra $25 a game I have shell out for parking at the stadium.
FYI, if you haven't tried it and are coming from the Southside of town to a Jags game, I must admit the bus shuttle service the JTA runs from the Kings Road parking lot is very well orchestrated. Seven bucks a head and they give you a coupon good for a free popcorn, or soda, and occasionally a free hot dog which makes up much of the cost. They cut through the traffic very well, and after the game they get you right out. Highly recommended.
WOW! Still have an open contest if anyone can post the new Waterways signage that was never before Waterways and I'll treat you to Chopstick Charley's and we'll use Uber.
Palms Fish Camp- How is that working out. We can use one of the boats and pick up this guy that will be getting a million bucks of our taxpayer money and give him a ride right to the bank.
2014-305 Active legislation for new docking Rules
2014-306 - New Procurement Rules. Let's break that bad boy in with this purchase. Also active legislation.
Planning a Rico paddle in the am. along with a Vivian Harrell Bluebag cleanup.
Vince Seibold- Environmental Ethics
I am Downtown and why you aren't
Quote from: Noone on June 05, 2014, 10:00:18 PM
WOW! Still have an open contest if anyone can post the new Waterways signage that was never before Waterways and I'll treat you to Chopstick Charley's and we'll use Uber.
Palms Fish Camp- How is that working out. We can use one of the boats and pick up this guy that will be getting a million bucks of our taxpayer money and give him a ride right to the bank.
2014-305 Active legislation for new docking Rules
2014-306 - New Procurement Rules. Let's break that bad boy in with this purchase. Also active legislation.
Planning a Rico paddle in the am. along with a Vivian Harrell Bluebag cleanup.
Vince Seibold- Environmental Ethics
I am Downtown and why you aren't
How many people actually know what this guy is talking about when he posts?
Quote from: Charles Hunter on June 05, 2014, 08:53:09 PM
The City has certified boat captains on staff?
Coast Guard
licensed captains. And it would be a level or two up from the basic license based upon passengers numbers.
Wonder if Skipper Brown's boats have arrived in town yet?
Quote from: edjax on June 06, 2014, 03:05:14 PM
Wonder if Skipper Brown's boats have arrived in town yet?
Yes, and I hear he is getting ready to set sail on a 3-hour tour!
If only we could get that end result! But he would be found as it would be so well documented with all the photographers on board with him m
Quote from: goldy21 on June 06, 2014, 12:13:53 AM
Quote from: Noone on June 05, 2014, 10:00:18 PM
WOW! Still have an open contest if anyone can post the new Waterways signage that was never before Waterways and I'll treat you to Chopstick Charley's and we'll use Uber.
Palms Fish Camp- How is that working out. We can use one of the boats and pick up this guy that will be getting a million bucks of our taxpayer money and give him a ride right to the bank.
2014-305 Active legislation for new docking Rules
2014-306 - New Procurement Rules. Let's break that bad boy in with this purchase. Also active legislation.
Planning a Rico paddle in the am. along with a Vivian Harrell Bluebag cleanup.
Vince Seibold- Environmental Ethics
I am Downtown and why you aren't
How many people actually know what this guy is talking about when he posts?
I'm not convinced he isn't a spambot for the kayaking industry.
Well just announced on Action News no water taxi service tomorrow night. Will not be available until next Friday. They have to get coast guard approval before using. Damn this admin just keeps on taking incomptenance to the next level!! Perhaps that should be Skipper Browns new campaign slogan.
Quote from: edjax on June 06, 2014, 06:27:28 PM
Well just announced on Action News no water taxi service tomorrow night. Will not be available until next Friday. They have to get coast guard approval before using. Damn this admin just keeps on taking incomptenance to the next level!! Perhaps that should be Skipper Browns new campaign slogan.
Yeah - in addition to finding licensed commercial boat captains on the fly, city finds the USCG does want to sign off on things like this...and they don't do last minute for anyone.
There are in fact, a great number of licensed captains living in Jax. Real question is who wants to work for the City if they are this disorganized now, just think when they start telling the captains how to run the boats, hours, and that they are working for free.
and to make transportation even better, one of the inbound lanes on the Main Street Bridge will be closed today. I know FDOT has a project schedule to meet, but come on....Suns and Sharks in the afternoon and soccer at 6pm....genius!
^^i thought I read where it is only closed until 1. Not good but I think ifmthismis true the impact should be much less.
^ I believe it is until 5pm...unless they smartly adjusted the schedule
According to JSO officer in an ActionNews story up on their website it is 1:00 as noted below:
All of the parking lots will be available around the stadium. City garages will also be open, along with some private lots. Something you need to keep in mind: the Main Street Bridge will be down to one lane until 1 p.m. JSO suggests fans arrive early and leave plenty of time to navigate.
The city wants its $350,000 back for the two water taxis because they were delivered late...
http://www.news4jax.com/news/as-boats-arrive-mayors-staff-eyes-water-taxi-options/26476576
Looks like Trident is standing their ground in this issue and won't be returning a single penny and plans on delivering the second boat.
http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2014/06/18/water-taxi-boat-maker-second-boat-is-on-its-way-no.html
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2014-06-17/news/os-lk-trident-pontoons-jacksonville-water-taxis-is-20140617_1_jacksonville-boats-trident-pontoons
My next comment is based on the only 'official' document that I've seen regarding the issue:
A letter sent from the Office of Gen. Council to the owner of Trident, Robbie Cunningham (http://www.news4jax.com/blob/view/-/26480156/data/1/-/bfagly/-/General-counsel-letter-on-water-taxis.pdf)
And why I feel there's so much incompetence and buffoonary going on in the mayor's office. Is there not one shred of documentation that the city can fall back on regarding their requests for timely delivery and the city's demands? You've got to be kidding me that there wasn't a purchase order or contract or even as little as a deal written on a paper napkin that stated some of the contingencies of the purchase.
Who's in line for a promotion over this one?
Quote from: Non-RedNeck Westsider on June 19, 2014, 10:26:02 AM
Who's in line for a promotion over this one?
Dock them at Palms Fish Camp next to a FIND project.
We are so LOST.
Visit Jacksonville!
Environmental Ethics- Vince Seibold
They could be up and running this weekend. Too bad they missed the 4th weekend.
QuoteThe second passenger pontoon boat the city of Jacksonville ordered from a south Florida company a month ago arrived at a Westside marina on Tuesday, and officials say water taxi service could return to the St. Johns River as early as this weekend.
The boats were ordered last month when the city's existing water taxi vendor ended the service on short notice after its proposal for a contract renewal was denied.
The city tried to cancel its $340,000 purchase after City Council balked at funding the boats out of emergency funds, but the company refused to give the money back. The issue became a political hot potato for the Mayor's Office.
...
Full article:
http://www.news4jax.com/news/water-taxi-service-could-return-in-days/26845878
I think this is misleading. It's Tuesday, and the Coast Guard inspection hasn't been scheduled? Last time, it was Friday and the Coast Guard said one week minimum.
So has this thing been swept under the rug? Here we are in mid-July and still no water taxi... And it's been crickets about the subject ever since the COJ debacle over buying/returning their own boats. Where do we stand on this issue? Other than hearing about the status of the city/Trident debate, what is actually being done about restoring water taxi service?
RICO guys- Snap out of it
The legislation is 2014-412 it is scheduled to meet in RULES and FINANCE but not WATERWAYS. WOW!
We are so LOST.
RULES meets tomorrow at 8:30 the agenda meeting and 9am is the regular meeting.
Palms Fish Camp- a million bucks and you never even open the door.
Visit Jacksonville!
Just called and nobody knows if Rules has been rescheduled. Should 2014-412 the unauthorized purchase of the water taxis be sent to Waterways?
No Shoes
No Shirt
No Money
No Problem
Visit Jacksonville!
There is an opportunity for 2014-412 be sent to Waterways after Mayor Brown's presentation on the budget. Rules is meeting right after this.
After attending the 7/14/14 Rules committee meeting you immediately realize that the water taxi is not the only thing that is ending service. We are so LOST.
The new interim director of parks Daryl Joseph informed the committee that 27 associations are ready to just turn in their keys to the city as the contracts were allowed to expire 2014-459. You just have to feel so sorry for the Baltimore guys.
2014-412 is in Finance today. Will it be sent to Waterways? Councilman Redman where are you?
Tides look great later in the week. Anyone want to cross the RIO St. Johns and I'll show you some of the most restricted opportunities on our St. Johns River an American Heritage River a FEDERAL Initiative in our super duper restricted 4.8 mile Waterway zone?
Who's next for this opportunity before it is legislatively taken away?
I am Downtown and why you aren't.
^ Daryl Joseph is a good guy and a prrety nice FIND as Parks Director
Two water taxi's docked at the Landing today with no one around. I guess that's where they were delivered to the city?
According to the news, they had their Coast Guard inspections today - and passed.
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/story/news/local/2014/08/07/water-taxis-in-service-tomorrow-jaguars-game/13736457/
They turned that pretty quickly, it will actually be available three hours before kickoff of the Jags game tomorrow.
The fraud continues. Ride the RIO ST. Johns as we transport you from one Illegal side of the River to the other Illegal side of the River.
Visit Jacksonville!
Quote from: IrvAdams on August 07, 2014, 08:25:47 PM
They turned that pretty quickly, it will actually be available three hours before kickoff of the Jags game tomorrow.
Get plenty of pictures. Ask about 2014-412 that is active legislation. Who will be on the Inagural ride? Eric Holder? Pam Bondi? Kim Scott? Carla Miller? Cindy Laquidara? Jason Gabriel? Karen Bowling? Tera Meeks? Capt. Jim Suber? Scott Wilson? Don Redman? St. Johns Riverkeeper?
Next trip will be to Palms Fish Camp next to a FIND project and that guy is getting a million bucks and never even opened the door. We are so LOST.
Stay positive.
Visit Jacksonville!
The new FIND project list was passed out of the 1/9/15 FIND committee meeting of the Jacksonville Waterways Commission. Does anyone else feel sorry for the Baltimore guys 2014-412 because some of the new projects will require a boat to get there.
Visit Jacksonville!
Mayor Brown Presents Another Avoidable Debacle:
Quote
Jacksonville water taxi contract close to ending; operator unsure whether new deal will be signed
By Steve Patterson Tue, Feb 3, 2015 @ 9:00 pm | updated Wed, Feb 4, 2015 @ 7:14 am
Jacksonville's contract with the company that operates water taxis downtown is set to expire Saturday, with no agreement on a new deal or certainty about the service's future.
Ridership has been far lower than levels a previous operator reported a few years ago, and the current operator wants city officials to rethink terms of the deal.
"It's just not a sustainable model and we're trying to figure out the best way forward," said Heather Surface, a partner in Lakeshore Marine, the company that began ferrying passengers last year under the name Jacksonville River Taxi.
http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2015-02-03/story/jacksonville-water-taxi-contract-close-ending-operator-unsure-whether?utm_source=Morris+Communications+Co.&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Jacksonville.com%3AMorningTopStories
The problem is the mayor has so badly alienated the council that they probably wouldn't approve funding for a ham sandwich for him at this point.
Someone should create a smartphone app for boat ride sharing.
Quote from: urbanlibertarian on February 05, 2015, 08:55:46 AM
Someone should create a smartphone app for boat ride sharing.
Just call Noone.... he'll tow you and your bike whenever on the back of one of his kayaks.
Quote from: urbanlibertarian on February 05, 2015, 08:55:46 AM
Someone should create a smartphone app for boat ride sharing.
There's always been something similar to that, it's called you bring the beer and agree to help clean up afterward, and you're good to go...
HEY! Jacksonville! We have a BARGE! Does Putnam county know about this?
Will Tom Ingram be at today's 5/13/15 JWC commission meeting representing the concerns of the Save Rodman group?
2014-412 is on the agenda. just 6 days prior to citywide elections.
Sign up for RICO summer camp. Seriously.
I am Downtown and why you aren't
Visit Jacksonville!