JTA's new transit system takes shape
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/4298941552_2LmpKSZ-L.jpg)
Read More: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2015-aug-jtas-new-transit-system-takes-shape
I've brought this up multiple times, and can't help but repeat it again.
This is a no-brainer move in the shell game of 'ridership numbers', but will it actually enhance the corridor? Doubtful.
I haven't ridden that route in a few years, but while we were discussing it, JTA already had two lines on staggered intervals that maintained a 15 minute headway from Soutel/Lem Turner to Rosa Park and back.
You're going to have larger numbers on the single bus, but I bet if you compare the total ridership from the previous L7/L8 routes to this new single bus system, it will be remarkably the same. Except now you have to also have those extra circulator busses to get riders to Soutel / Moncrief and to pick up the extra missing leg at Jefferson and 8th street to Rosa Park.
My personal opinion tells me that this is will be a negative net change from what was existing.
I tend to agree with you NRW. What's sad is we spent millions of dollars on a bus system (which we already have) with priority lanes, how exciting.
It seems like Jax is a little trigger shy to do anything bold since the skyway.
Bold new city of the South indeed.