I guess one more is needed
http://staugustine.com/news/local-news/2010-03-08/ne-fla-public-transit-studied (http://staugustine.com/news/local-news/2010-03-08/ne-fla-public-transit-studied)
It's easy to make fun of a recently completed study that looked into the feasibility of creating a regional transportation authority in Northeast Florida, including representation from St. Johns County.
The study's conclusion is that another study is needed.
State Sen. John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine, and State Reps. Charles McBurney, R-Jacksonville and Audrey Gibson, D-Jacksonville, are sponsoring legislation that would mandate a second study that would take 2 to 3 years to complete.
The legislation calls for the five smaller counties, incuding St. Johns, to have 10 voting representatives. Jacksonville would have four.
A future transportation authority would probably be set up in a similar fashion, Gibson said. The second study will also need to figure out how a transportation authority will be funded.
St. Johns County Commissioner Phillip Mays said figuring out the money issue will be challenging because government revenue is decreasing. But until it is addressed, efforts to create a regional authority will struggle to be taken seriously.
Why is a regional transportation authority needed?
Northeast Florida is the only major region in the state without a regional transportation authority and Gibson argues that it puts the area at a disadvantage when trying to get state and federal funding because it's easier to secure money when multiple counties speak with one voice.
It also benefits people to have a broader public transportation system than what exists in Northeast Florida, where the bus systems tend to remain in individual counties, Gibson said.
Questions on how an authority would be represented and funded remain murky. But the study's participants said this is just the first step in a process that could lead to one bus service, and maybe train service, throughout the region.
Why was this study conducted?
In 2009, the state Legislature passed a bill that ordered the Jacksonville Transportation Authority to complete a regional transportation study by last month. Over the course of about six months, 10 meetings were held by officials of seven counties.
Clay Commissioner Doug Conkey said it was a struggle to get a study completed in such a short time frame, but he's happy with the results because it determined that a regional authority could be done if all the counties in the area remain supportive and want to participate.
Flagler County said it didn't want to be involved. Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns counties are expected to participate in the second study.
*
ABOUT THE STUDY
A proposed Northeast Florida Regional Transportation Study Commission would have representation from throughout Northeast Florida. Under the bill co-sponsored by State Sen. John Thrasher and Reps. Audrey Gibson and Charles McBurney, the representation would be made up of:
* Duval County: four voting representatives appointed by Jacksonville City Council.
* Nassau, Baker, Clay, St. Johns and Putnam counties: Two voting representatives for each county, appointed by their individual county commissions. Flagler County is in the legislation, but is expected to be removed before the bill is voted on.
* The chairman of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority would lead the study commission.
* The Florida Department of Transportation's Northeast Florida district secretary, the chairman of the Northeast Florida Regional Council, and the chairman of the North Florida Transportation Planning Organization would all serve as non-voting members.
* The staff of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority would act as staff. The JTA board would pay for the commissions' day-to-day operations but might ask the Legislature for some assistance.
Source: Senate Bill 2470/House Bill 1297
As far as our MSA is concerned it sound's like Flagler is quickly slipping beneath the waves. Perhaps it is time for someone to talk Commuter Rail to them, THINK! What if we co-op with Volusia down in the Central Florida MSA and institute a 100+ mile M/L shuttle train service along the Florida East Coast. Bet THAT would get their attention, not to mention bumping our traffic mess into a better position nationally. Bad traffic reports seriously hurt our recruitment of new industries.
OCKLAWAHA
Ock....they know all about commuter rail....that's the only reason they are still considering being with the RTA!
The fact is Flagler is tied closely to Volusia, which is better tied in with Orlando.
A better version of the article:
NE Florida regional transportation authority inches forward
No. 1 concluded a regional transportation authority was feasible, thus No. 2.
It's easy to make fun of a recently completed study that looked into the feasibility of creating a regional transportation authority in Northeast Florida.
The study's conclusion is that another study is needed.
Questions on how an authority would be represented and funded also remain murky. But the study's participants said this is just the first step in a process that could lead to one bus service and maybe train service throughout the region.
The Times-Union spoke to people about what the study says, and where the idea of a regional transportation authority goes from here.
Why is a regional transportation authority needed?
Northeast Florida is the only major region in the state without a regional transportation authority and State Rep. Audrey Gibson, D-Jacksonville, argues that it puts the area at a disadvantage when trying to get state and federal funding because it's easier to secure money when multiple counties speak with one voice.
It also benefits people to have a broader public transportation system than what exists in Northeast Florida, where the bus systems tend to remain in individual counties, Gibson said.
Why was this study conducted?
In 2009, the state Legislature passed a bill that ordered the Jacksonville Transportation Authority to complete a regional transportation study by last month. Over the course of about six months, officials from seven counties conducted 10 meetings.
Clay Commissioner Doug Conkey said it was a struggle to get a study completed in such a short time frame, but he's happy with the results because it determined that a regional authority would be a go if all the counties in the area remain supportive and want to participate.
Flagler County said it didn't want to be involved. Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns counties are expected to participate in the second study.
What happens now?
State Sen. John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine, and State Reps. Charles McBurney, R-Jacksonville, and Gibson are sponsoring legislation that would mandate a second study that would take two to three years to complete.
The legislation calls for the five smaller counties to have 10 voting representatives. Jacksonville would have four.
A future transportation authority would probably be set up in a similar fashion, Gibson said. Part of the duty of those involved in the second study is to figure out an authority would be funded.
St. Johns County Commissioner Phillip Mays said figuring out the money issue will be challenging because government revenue is decreasing. But until it is addressed, efforts to create a regional authority will struggle to be taken seriously.
http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2010-03-08/story/ne_florida_regional_transportation_authority_inches_forward
If it weren't sponsored by John Micah, it would seem like a reasonable idea. ;)
Quote from: tufsu1 on March 08, 2010, 10:53:05 AM
Ock....they know all about commuter rail....that's the only reason they are still considering being with the RTA!
The fact is Flagler is tied closely to Volusia, which is better tied in with Orlando.
I know that one TU, but this made me think in terms of REGIONAL RAIL, (New Smyrna Beach) rather then Commuter Rail per se. The same pool of equipment could be used on Tallahassee and Gainesville shuttle trains. OCKLAWAHA
the state is still pursuing resumption of Amtrak on the FEC corridor....that will or won't happen regardless of whether Flagler participates in the RTA.
wouldn't it be great if you knew just a bit more about transportation ;)
Gee tufsu..............I guess we are lucky to have a transportation consultant like yourself keeping us taxpayers in line? Do you by chance work for CUTR? ::)
sorry CS...CUTR is at USF...and while I used to live in Tampa, I've been up here in Jax. for a few years now ;)