Hello,
I am in works to visit Jacksonville shortly and take a tour around Jax and learn about their history what Jax used had a great transit system 50 years ago and also will tour JTA headquarters and meet some folks and ride their system and get the idea and will have alot of pictures.
Any advise I should hear? I would like to have someone who already live in Jax and knows JTA system very well and have a time to guide me around. It would be a big plus for me.
Thank you.
Regards,
Joseph
This is not what I am looking for
I don't think you'll need a guide on the skyway. way too short to possibly get lost.
Now if you're planning to ride the buses as well, then I don't think the best guide in the world can save you.
good luck! i think you'll find as you peruse this site that Jax certainly has a rich transit history, but alas it is no more.
If we had a decent integrated transit system with proper schedules, signage, connections, headways, etc., you wouldn't need a guide. Unfortunately, even the locals can't figure much of it out. Read the critiques throughout MetroJax under "Forum - Transportation, Mass Transit, & Infrastructure" to grasp some of the issues.
Maybe if JTA "guided" you, they would understand the shortcomings as well. Good luck and make sure you don't stray too far from your rental car! 8)
If you really want to see a great transit system, go back further, say 50 to 100 years ago, and look at the street car system we cast aside. That was our heyday. History and pictures are on this site.
P.S. If you like Disney rides, you will love our $ky-high-way, and it only cost 50 cents. Let us know when you ride it so when JTA shows a blip in traffic on it, we will know why. ;)
Transitrider, while you wait for feedback, check out some of these old articles for a little history and understanding of transit in Jacksonville.
Re-evaluating the Skyway: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2008-oct-re-evaluating-the-skyway
(http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-6972-p1150841.JPG)
The Forgotten Skyway Plan: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2008-nov-the-forgotten-skyway-plan
(http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-7661-skyway_church_street.jpg)
Ruins of Jacksonville: The Streetcar System: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-jul-ruins-of-jacksonville-the-streetcar-system
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/574193713_BwzaL-600x1000.jpg)
Roads or More Rail for Jacksonville: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-aug-rail-or-more-roads-in-jacksonvilles-future
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/618364955_4FDpi-600x10000.jpg)
Understanding Transit in Jacksonville: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-may-understanding-transit-in-jacksonville
(http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-may-understanding-transit-in-jacksonville)
JTA Transit Initiatives: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-feb-jtas-transit-initiatives
Streetcars coming to downtown Jacksonville?: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-jan-streetcars-coming-to-downtown-jacksonville
(http://media.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-8614-streetcarrreport090808_page_01.jpg)
Commuter Rail Study Update: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2008-oct-commuter-rail-study-update-costs-and-ridership
(http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-5959-jta-final-station03.png)
There are also a number of transit articles in this section of the site: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/transit/
Don't forget the trolley's....er PCT's or whatever you want to call them.