Nashville shuttles on Titans game days halted
July 9, 2008 2:20 PM
Nashville shuttles on Titans game days halted
Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky
Downtown Nashville is ill-equipped to handle all the necessary parking for a crowd of nearly 70,000 for a Titans home game at LP Field. But city officials will have to start looking at options after new federal regulations wiped out Nashville's Metropolitan Transit Authority's game-day shuttle services.
The MTA recently informed fans that the End-Zone Express shuttle service won't be available this season because of changes made by the Federal Transit Administration regarding charter services, a development that's going to impact similar services in other NFL cities.
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afcsouth/0-2-18/Nashville-shuttles-on-Titans-game-days-halted.html
Does this affect gameday here? If so, how?
Hmmm, thats a good question.
Mr. Miller?
Quote from: Steve on July 16, 2008, 09:06:22 PM
changes made by the Federal Transit Administration regarding charter services, a development that's going to impact similar services in other NFL cities.
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afcsouth/0-2-18/Nashville-shuttles-on-Titans-game-days-halted.html
I assume this is why... Not sure if it actually impacts jax tho...
On a somewhat related note: if you live in Springfield, and don't go to Jags games (as I don't), but have to leave the house around the time the game lest out, has anyone ever been caught trying to cross State street when the stoplight are set to blinking? HOLY CRAP-- talk about frustrating. I was at the intersection of State and Boulevard for literally 30 minutes one day trying to get across.
I believe the issue is that JTA would not be able continue the shuttle service if there is a private charter company who wishes to provide the service. I couldn't find a lot of info from other cities. Here are a few.
Baltimore: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4183/is_20080516/ai_n25446009?tag=untagged (http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4183/is_20080516/ai_n25446009?tag=untagged)
Cincinnati: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2008/05/19/daily25.html (http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2008/05/19/daily25.html)
Seattle: http://www.metrokc.gov/kcdot/news/2008/nr080509_specialservice.htm (http://www.metrokc.gov/kcdot/news/2008/nr080509_specialservice.htm)
It appears that Nashville and Baltimore have simply chosen to end service rather than first determining if a charter service desires or is willing to provide the service.
I can tell you that as of right now, JTA are still advertising the service, and selling advance shuttle tickets and passes for the Jaguar, FSU/CU, and UGA/UF games.
http://www.jtafla.com/services/sss.aspx (http://www.jtafla.com/services/sss.aspx)
Of course, I don't work for JTA or have any inside knowledge, so who knows if this will change between now and August 9.
Quote from: Eazy E on July 17, 2008, 10:06:06 AM
On a somewhat related note: if you live in Springfield, and don't go to Jags games (as I don't), but have to leave the house around the time the game lest out, has anyone ever been caught trying to cross State street when the stoplight are set to blinking? HOLY CRAP-- talk about frustrating. I was at the intersection of State and Boulevard for literally 30 minutes one day trying to get across.
The city could care less. Downtown streets are like I95 after a Jaguars game or other big event.
Quote from: copperfiend on July 17, 2008, 10:33:00 AM
Quote from: Eazy E on July 17, 2008, 10:06:06 AM
On a somewhat related note: if you live in Springfield, and don't go to Jags games (as I don't), but have to leave the house around the time the game lest out, has anyone ever been caught trying to cross State street when the stoplight are set to blinking? HOLY CRAP-- talk about frustrating. I was at the intersection of State and Boulevard for literally 30 minutes one day trying to get across.
The city could care less. Downtown streets are like I95 after a Jaguars game or other big event.
I know traffic is horrible before and after games. It's got to be frustrating. However, how long is it like that? 45 minutes? An hour? After the big rush is gone, aren't you all clear?
Trip planning can be helpful. Jaguars.com lists a schedule with dates and times of each game. If you have to be somewhere at a specific time, that could help beat it or avoid it.
Please correct me if I'm wrong. I'm not trying to be antagonistic, I promise, but it's akin to complaining about traffic during morning and evening rush. Everyone who's experienced it knows it's going to be bad, and where and at which times.
Quote from: ac on July 17, 2008, 10:46:42 AM
Quote from: copperfiend on July 17, 2008, 10:33:00 AM
Quote from: Eazy E on July 17, 2008, 10:06:06 AM
On a somewhat related note: if you live in Springfield, and don't go to Jags games (as I don't), but have to leave the house around the time the game lest out, has anyone ever been caught trying to cross State street when the stoplight are set to blinking? HOLY CRAP-- talk about frustrating. I was at the intersection of State and Boulevard for literally 30 minutes one day trying to get across.
The city could care less. Downtown streets are like I95 after a Jaguars game or other big event.
I know traffic is horrible before and after games. It's got to be frustrating. However, how long is it like that? 45 minutes? An hour? After the big rush is gone, aren't you all clear?
Trip planning can be helpful. Jaguars.com lists a schedule with dates and times of each game. If you have to be somewhere at a specific time, that would definitely help.
Please correct me if I'm wrong. I'm not trying to be antagonistic, I promise, but it's akin to complaining about traffic during morning and evening rush. Everyone who's experienced it knows it's going to be bad, and where and at which times.
No, you are right, with a little bit of planning, it can be avoided, usually, save the occasional emergency trip.
But, where you are wrong is that, with traffic, you eventually get to go where you need to. In game day cases, the stop lights are blinking, so unless three lanes of traffic decide to let you through, no way is that going to happen. My complaint is not with the fans leaving, it's with the damn blinking lights. When all the traffioc lights are set to blinking, you just cannot cross state street (or union-- i forget which one runs west and is the first one you cross from main, laura, pearl, etc.).
And, because of my lifestyle and schedule, free time on Sundays is more valuable to me than most others.
Quote from: Eazy E on July 17, 2008, 10:51:03 AM
Quote from: ac on July 17, 2008, 10:46:42 AM
Quote from: copperfiend on July 17, 2008, 10:33:00 AM
Quote from: Eazy E on July 17, 2008, 10:06:06 AM
On a somewhat related note: if you live in Springfield, and don't go to Jags games (as I don't), but have to leave the house around the time the game lest out, has anyone ever been caught trying to cross State street when the stoplight are set to blinking? HOLY CRAP-- talk about frustrating. I was at the intersection of State and Boulevard for literally 30 minutes one day trying to get across.
The city could care less. Downtown streets are like I95 after a Jaguars game or other big event.
I know traffic is horrible before and after games. It's got to be frustrating. However, how long is it like that? 45 minutes? An hour? After the big rush is gone, aren't you all clear?
Trip planning can be helpful. Jaguars.com lists a schedule with dates and times of each game. If you have to be somewhere at a specific time, that would definitely help.
Please correct me if I'm wrong. I'm not trying to be antagonistic, I promise, but it's akin to complaining about traffic during morning and evening rush. Everyone who's experienced it knows it's going to be bad, and where and at which times.
No, you are right, with a little bit of planning, it can be avoided, usually, save the occasional emergency trip.
But, where you are wrong is that, with traffic, you eventually get to go where you need to. In game day cases, the stop lights are blinking, so unless three lanes of traffic decide to let you through, no way is that going to happen. My complaint is not with the fans leaving, it's with the damn blinking lights. When all the traffioc lights are set to blinking, you just cannot cross state street (or union-- i forget which one runs west and is the first one you cross from main, laura, pearl, etc.).
And, because of my lifestyle and schedule, free time on Sundays is more valuable to me than most others.
I gotcha. I missed the *blinking* part. That changes things a lot, for sure. This is probably a dumb question, but has there ever been a group effort by residents to request a compromise? It seems JSO could spare one officer to work lights or direct traffic at at least a single intersection to let cross traffic by on occasion. Or maybe they could just leave the lights at Main operational?
Quote from: ac on July 17, 2008, 11:06:47 AM
Quote from: Eazy E on July 17, 2008, 10:51:03 AM
Quote from: ac on July 17, 2008, 10:46:42 AM
Quote from: copperfiend on July 17, 2008, 10:33:00 AM
Quote from: Eazy E on July 17, 2008, 10:06:06 AM
On a somewhat related note: if you live in Springfield, and don't go to Jags games (as I don't), but have to leave the house around the time the game lest out, has anyone ever been caught trying to cross State street when the stoplight are set to blinking? HOLY CRAP-- talk about frustrating. I was at the intersection of State and Boulevard for literally 30 minutes one day trying to get across.
The city could care less. Downtown streets are like I95 after a Jaguars game or other big event.
I know traffic is horrible before and after games. It's got to be frustrating. However, how long is it like that? 45 minutes? An hour? After the big rush is gone, aren't you all clear?
Trip planning can be helpful. Jaguars.com lists a schedule with dates and times of each game. If you have to be somewhere at a specific time, that would definitely help.
Please correct me if I'm wrong. I'm not trying to be antagonistic, I promise, but it's akin to complaining about traffic during morning and evening rush. Everyone who's experienced it knows it's going to be bad, and where and at which times.
No, you are right, with a little bit of planning, it can be avoided, usually, save the occasional emergency trip.
But, where you are wrong is that, with traffic, you eventually get to go where you need to. In game day cases, the stop lights are blinking, so unless three lanes of traffic decide to let you through, no way is that going to happen. My complaint is not with the fans leaving, it's with the damn blinking lights. When all the traffioc lights are set to blinking, you just cannot cross state street (or union-- i forget which one runs west and is the first one you cross from main, laura, pearl, etc.).
And, because of my lifestyle and schedule, free time on Sundays is more valuable to me than most others.
I gotcha. I missed the *blinking* part. That changes things a lot, for sure. This is probably a dumb question, but has there ever been a group effort by residents to request a compromise? It seems JSO could spare one officer to work lights or direct traffic at at least a single intersection to let cross traffic by on occasion. Or maybe they could just leave the lights at Main operational?
Yeah, I started e-mailing about this last fall, and no one really got back to me and then the season was over and it dropped off my radar. I mean, I totally understand, you gotta get the people out of there in a timely manner and I am one car vs the 20 or 30,000 going in that direction, so 'poor me', essentially.
I didn't mean to bitch, more just commiserate and see if anyone else experienced that problem and had any advice.
There have been gobs of discussions and rants on that very subject onthis site. There are more than just a few that are displeased with the gameday traffic process.
Quote from: Jason on July 17, 2008, 11:18:13 AM
There have been gobs of discussions and rants on that very subject onthis site. There are more than just a few that are displeased with the gameday traffic process.
I--obviously-- missed those. You know, I think people have to look at this like I do (and also with FBC crowds and traffic control which REALLY used to piss me off): how else do you safely and efficiently remove thousands of people? We (residents who use these raods in our daily lives and not just to go to a football game or church) are in the minority, and it is better to incovenience the few than the many.
Quote from: Jason on July 17, 2008, 11:18:13 AM
There have been gobs of discussions and rants on that very subject onthis site. There are more than just a few that are displeased with the gameday traffic process.
I can totally understand. It's why I prefer to ride the shuttle. I've just never looked at it from the POV of someone who has to get across State and Union when the signals are flashing. The last time I did that on a game day was 2004 and the lights on Main were working.
Quote from: Eazy E on July 17, 2008, 11:30:11 AM
Quote from: Jason on July 17, 2008, 11:18:13 AM
There have been gobs of discussions and rants on that very subject onthis site. There are more than just a few that are displeased with the gameday traffic process.
I--obviously-- missed those. You know, I think people have to look at this like I do (and also with FBC crowds and traffic control which REALLY used to piss me off): how else do you safely and efficiently remove thousands of people? We (residents who use these raods in our daily lives and not just to go to a football game or church) are in the minority, and it is better to incovenience the few than the many.
No disrespect meant Eazy. Just letting you know that this has been something passionately discussed and you are not alone.
I, personally, have only been on the "herd" side of the argument and have not had to fight the masses from your perspective. I have seen the lonely ones trying to make their way through the gauntlet of yellow lights and pushy impatient travelers trying to make their way back home, and sympathize with them (you).
believe the issue is that JTA would not be able continue the shuttle service if there is a private charter company who wishes to provide the service. I couldn't find a lot of info from other cities. Here are a few.
Baltimore: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4183/is_20080516/ai_n25446009?tag=untagged
Cincinnati: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2008/05/19/daily25.html
Seattle: http://www.metrokc.gov/kcdot/news/2008/nr080509_specialservice.htm
"It appears that Nashville and Baltimore have simply chosen to end service rather than first determining if a charter service desires or is willing to provide the service.
I can tell you that as of right now, JTA are still advertising the service, and selling advance shuttle tickets and passes for the Jaguar, FSU/CU, and UGA/UF games.
http://www.jtafla.com/services/sss.aspx
Of course, I don't work for JTA or have any inside knowledge, so who knows if this will change between now and August 9."
Hmmm I received my Jags shuttle passes in the mail so they seem to be planning on operating something. Maybe all school buses this time with no city buses used.
It doesn't appear (granted, my research was limited to Google and Yahoo searches) JTA plans on changing or canceling their service. I think Nashville and Baltimore decided to scrap theirs, rather than wait to see if a private company would step up, as a CYA move.
Correction: Nashville appears to be seeking out a charter service: http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080711/NEWS02/80711025/0/SPORTS02 (http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080711/NEWS02/80711025/0/SPORTS02)
One would think they (JTA) would announce any changes now, what with less than a month until the first pre-season game.
I've sent an email to JTA customer service to see what happens to the shuttle passes if they have to discontinue service.
Jacksonville was ranked one of the top nfl stadiums to get into and get out of. I love the traffic flow on sundays, I can get to lot Z quickly and when its time to leave, I can get from Lot Z to US-1/Edgewood in about 10 minutes.
From the sports illustrated stadium rankings
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/10/29/fvi.jaguars/
ACCESSIBILITY
Parking $10.00
Driving access -- and egress -- is "the best in the NFL." "Although the stadium is located in the heart of downtown, traffic flows surprisingly well in and out." "Many roads lead into and out of the stadium" and "a lot of the streets become one way before or following a game, which allows traffic to flow easily." "The stadium is located downtown with easy access to major interstates." With "lots of experienced police intervention at key traffic points" fans "never sit in traffic more than 10 minutes" waiting to move. "Most fans take advantage of the public park-and-ride shuttle service, which allows fans to avoid downtown traffic" and still get "dropped off at the gate." As for parking "there is plenty of it for free within walking distance of the stadium." Should you hope to avoid traffic altogether, a water taxi from Jacksonville Landing on the St. John's River "takes you to and from the game with ease."
SCORE 7 out of 10
If you need to get from Riverside to Springfield during the after-game blitz, what about taking I-95 or Myrtle Ave from Forest to 8th St.?
Here's JTA's reply re: Game Day Shuttles for 2008-
QuoteFrom: "Joe Trottie" <Jtrottie@jtafla.com>
To: (edited out my email addy; yes, I'm paranoid)
Subject: RE: General Comments
Date:Friday, July 18, 2008 5:15:45 PM
Mr. C,
Thank(s) for you(r) interest in the shuttle operation for the 2008 season, but
more importantly, thank you for your continued patronage to the service.
As you have stated, numerous NFL cities will be impacted with the most
current changes in the shuttle operation that has been mandated by the
FTA. Fortunately, the Jacksonville Transportation Authority has been
granted permission by the FTA to continue our shuttle operation for the
2008 season because of the continued due diligence of our staff who has
continued to follow and submit all documentation to the FTA in the
specified period that was allotted. The JTA has always followed the
specificities of the FTA because of the importance of service to the
community. The discussion of Private Charter Company's and Public
Agencies has been on going for the past twenty years, but a final
decision was made and implemented in April 2008 by the FTA with very
strict and direct mandates that must be adhered too by all FTA funded
agencies. You can be assured that the JTA will continue to follow all
mandates and provide to this community the best shuttle service in the
Country. Please, purchase your 2008 shuttle tickets and game tickets and
enjoy your ride. Thank you. JT
Thats good, I dont ride the shuttle, cant tailgate on the shuttle ;D
but it is a great service.