They got rid of Marbon Park-N-Ride and put a gas station in its place. Why did they get rid of it? Wasn't it good for commuters who work downtown?
Probably a lack of riders. I understand the concept for game days, but the idea of driving somewhere to get on a bus seems silly. It's not like parking to get on a train, but a bus that will simply make your travels slower.
Looks like JTA sold it back in 2018 (https://news.wjct.org/first-coast/2018-06-22/jta-sells-9-acre-park-n-ride-site-to-dailys-gas-company). Little surprised it took this long, if anything. There's still a smaller pickup point (with 15 parking spaces) behind the gas station.
Digging a little deeper, the only bus to that Park & Ride (the 17) only comes once an hour even on weekdays. I would question if that's frequent enough to rely on, much less to have a 9-acre P&R around.
I will say it looks like a real shame that whole area seems underutilized. Some creative development around the library and bus hub (especially if there were ever long-term plans of expanding into St. Johns County) would be great to have at the end of the line. Instead it's a strip center and some new single family homes behind the gas station. Pity. Especially when RISE Julington is just to the south.
From what I have read Marbon Park-N-Ride was developed in 1996. Before that, the Park-N-Ride was located by I-295 based on what I read.
Quote from: Megabox on November 14, 2023, 12:38:12 PM
From what I have read Marbon Park-N-Ride was developed in 1996. Before that, the Park-N-Ride was located by I-295 based on what I read.
yeah, it moved when they widened the Buckman from 2 lanes (with no emergency shoulder) to 4 lanes late in the last century.
Happened to be in the area a few days ago and thought I'd drop by.
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/847298939618590760/1178791555046330439/IMG_7987.jpeg)
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/847298939618590760/1178791553918058626/IMG_7991.jpeg)
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/847298939618590760/1178791552827531374/IMG_7999.jpeg)
Like I said, real missed opportunity from a development standpoint. Better planning could have made that area a transit village that would then feed into better bus service.