Metro Jacksonville

AirJTA: Ghost Bus?

(http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-1997-dsc02080.JPG)

AirJTA is a regularly scheduled bus service from Downtown Jacksonville to the Jacksonville International Airport. This service is a fast and economical way to get to the airport; the only problem is, no one is riding.

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/558

I have used this a couple of times. While it was a hike from the house at 7th & Liberty to the FCCJ station,(missed the bus on 8th)it saved me the money for airport parking. Both times, there was 3 of us using the service. Of couse, if there was a rail service, S-line to the airport please, I would never, ever, drive to the airport again.

If there was rail connecting downtown to the airport, I'd bet the house and kids that more than three people would be on each train, as well.

AirJTA BUS  

This is a great service and a very good idea, is our highway-builder up to the task?

(http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa111/Ocklawaha/BUShostessMexico.jpg)
Sure is a good thing I know that Colombia and
Mexico are in the 3Rd World, because they might have
fooled me with this type of service.

FROM TOWN:
Start at Kings Avenue Station to City Hall Annex (Newnan and Bay Streets)
Next stop at Adams and Hogan Streets
Next stop at Rosa L. Parks/FCCJ Transit Station
Then on I-95 to Jacksonville International Airport where the bus will proceed into the Arriving Flights tunnel with a designated stop in front of the Ground Transportation booth.

TO TOWN:
Start Jacksonville International Airport
Travel along the south Airport Service Road, stopping at bus stops near Longhorn Steakhouse and the Hilton Garden Inn.
Back on I-95 to Kings Avenue Station.
See Schedule

PARK FREE and CONNECT HASSLE FREE

Make easy connection through the Rosa L. Parks/FCCJ Transit Station downtown. Or avoid parking hassles by parking FREE at JTA's surface lot at the Kings Avenue Garage. AirJTA parking spots are designated for your convenience. Once you board, the AirJTA buses are air-conditioned and feature luggage racks.

CONVENIENT

With stops near airport hotels and restaurants, and convenient curbside drop-off at the JIA terminal, AirJTA is perfect for people commuting to work near the airport, and for business travelers catching flights through JIA.
INEXPENSIVE
Adult Fare: $3 one way
Seniors/Disabled: $1.50 one way
Transportation Disadvantaged: $1.50 one way
Weekly and/or monthly JTA pass holders
swipe card plus 50¢ fare

*No bus tickets are accepted. Riders needing a travel receipt can request one from the operator.
Exact fare required, change will not be provided.
Kids 42 inches and under ride free.

FAST

AirJTA will get you from downtown to the airport in about 30 minutes.. And with someone else at the wheel, you can spend the time reading, catching up on paperwork, or just relaxing.
For more information call JTA Customer Service at (904) 630-3100.  

(http://static.flickr.com/198/477248460_51f0610f5e_m.jpg)
Colombia again! Say Gringo, where are those chicken and pigs?

So  JTA already has a "BRT" bus up and running. Air JTA, runs to the airport in 30 minutes from downtown because it uses the freeway and has limited stops. Golly, just like BRT! True the lanes are not dedicated, the stations fancy, or the headway's decent, but it IS a taste of BUS-MEETS-FREEWAY-ON-FIXED-ROUTE... What the industry might call a "Express Flier" or "Quality Bus."  Even with this one route, apparently JTA has fumbled the ball. Just imagine what they could do if we give them $300 Million, $500 Million, $700 Million, a Billion (or whatever) the BRT system is going to cost us today.

Like a child in a cold swimming pool, JTA has not committed itself to taking the plunge and running this service with the headway's, routes or marketing it deserves. Mass Transit is not something easy to sell when the transit agency refuses to provide frequency or promotion. Why is this version of BRT like operation's not running at least every 30 minutes? Why does this route not originate in front of each of our major hotels? Why is it not reaching beyond downtown to say, Arlington and the Beaches and Mayport, Southside and Southwest to NAS/Orange Park on 90 minute rotations? Simple thought, 8:AM Airport-Downtown Hotels-Mayport/Beaches, 8:30AM Airport-Downtown Hotels-Southside, 9:AM Airport-Downtown Hotels-NAS/Orange Park.  

(http://static.flickr.com/61/211149515_73b4b9868e_m.jpg)
TOD? This is the food court in one of Medellins bus stations.
Anyone up for Empanada's? I'll buy the coffee!


A service like this could be co-sponsored by the hotels themselves, making a door to door delivery of passengers and their bags a reality. Suspend a giant plastic bus from the airport ceiling and let it point the way of Rapid Bus to everyone who passes through.

Where is the service to Amtrak? Could the same bus stop in front of Greyhound downtown? Why not? We plan a Transportation Center for multi-modal passenger service then fail to provide a connector for multi-modal transportation today! Does JTA know that it could be listed in the Amtrak schedule folders and on the Airline web-sites and computer terminals? For little effort Amtrak could show a schedule from various regional towns and cities to Jacksonville, then on to our Airport and Beaches.  

(http://static.flickr.com/84/220956903_b09d0d4b5a_m.jpg)
Just another 3Rd World Bus,
kind of makes you think, doesn't it?

Who's going to help me with my baggage? Does JTA have a "flight attendant" on this bus? Crazy you say? Trailways did that way back with a product called the "Golden Eagle Service." It became the most popular thing the company ever did, and remains a legend in the Motor Coach World. Speaking of Trailways, why is a bare bones City Transit Bus even on this route? Passengers want to be pampered, why don't we have a couple of long-distance, restroom equipped, motor coaches running on this? The difference is in the ride quality, it's sort of like comparing a Mercedes and a potato wagon. JTA peanuts or coffee anyone?

Where is the Transit Oriented Development on this Super-Bus route? Why have the bus-loving citizens not flocked to fill this route to capacity? Empty buses? It's obvious to me that with another $300 Million or even a Billion dollars, we could build special freeways and spread this idea to the whole of the City. I would probably order those new Gillig City Transit Coaches, paint them in a snappy new gray color scheme and blow them through downtown every 5 minutes. Just imagine...


Ocklawaha

The main point is missed once again, this site is often times so interested in looking for the big drama story that they overlook the main points….

This service is great but they do not run the service on weekends....  This is a problem for travelers that are not going for business reasons.  If it's a business reason you travel during the week (majority of the time) how you get to the airport is of little concern take the most convenient for you and that would be to put the charge on your expense report....  It's easy...  For travel on weekends the service is not available to you…  The main reason we had this service in Detroit was so that people working at the Airport had a cheep way to get to work….

I would like to park in my parking garage and get the bus to the airport on the weekend but nope, it’s just does not run…..

QuoteLike a child in a cold swimming pool, JTA has not committed itself to taking the plunge and running this service with the headway's, routes or marketing it deserves. Mass Transit is not something easy to sell when the transit agency refuses to provide frequency or promotion.

Sorry about that, I sort of thought the lack of service, headway's and frequency addressed that issue. You are right of course, this thing should be running 24/7/365!

Ocklawaha

Quote from: Ryan67 on August 24, 2007, 10:20:55 AM
The main point is missed once again, this site is often times so interested in looking for the big drama story that they overlook the main points….

This service is great but they do not run the service on weekends....  This is a problem for travelers that are not going for business reasons.  If it's a business reason you travel during the week (majority of the time) how you get to the airport is of little concern take the most convenient for you and that would be to put the charge on your expense report....  It's easy...  For travel on weekends the service is not available to you…  The main reason we had this service in Detroit was so that people working at the Airport had a cheep way to get to work….

I would like to park in my parking garage and get the bus to the airport on the weekend but nope, it’s just does not run…..

You may have missed the last part of the article.  Here's what it says.

QuoteAt the current passenger level, this service may not survive.

AirJTA service breakdown

The AirJTA shuttle bus costs $3.

Advantages to AirJTA
1. Only costs $3 each way
2. Travel time from FCCJ Transit Station is comparable to a taxi or private car
3. Free parking is provided at the Kings Avenue Garage


Potential problems afflicting this service:
1. Downtown route parallels the skyway, adding to travel time
2. Lack of promotion
3. Frequency is only approximately every 1.5 hours
4. No weekend service

Looking at JTA's website, it is nearly impossible to find out about this service, especially if you are not familiar with its official name: AirJTA / NS-33.

The schedule and route for NS-33 can be found here.

No weekend service is definitely a problem, but at this point it is not the main problem. The immediate issue is that the service is not promoted and no one is even aware it exists.

It is hard for JTA to justify shorter headways and weekend service without promotion. These issues really need to be addresses simultaneously.

Also, the last bus out in the evenings, from the airport to town is 7:41pm. So if the plane lands at 7:30, I won't be making the NS33 to town.

QuoteIt is hard for JTA to justify shorter headways and weekend service without promotion. These issues really need to be addresses simultaneously.

Like the chicken and the egg, which come's first? We don't promote it because it doesn't carry enough passengers to pay for the expense, and it doesn't pay for the expenses because we don't promote it...I think I just found those darn missing chickens!

Ocklawaha

no promotion....I guess the big billboard along I-95 near the Kings Ave station doesn't count?

No promotion? I guess if I don't see it as I drive past, then no, it doesn't count. We have electronic media all over the City and I haven't heard or seen a thing. I wonder how many others have missed the promotion?  

Ocklawaha

It seems like they'll need to try to be a little more agressive instead of having one billboard next to the Kings Avenue Garage.  If they are targeting the airport to downtown connection, then hitting the hotels would be a great place to start, as well as the trolley and skyway stops.  To sum it up, I don't know who JTA's target rider may be, but whoever they are, the promotion efforts need to be agressively pushed in that market segment's immediate environment.

I love the AirJTA Ghost Bus.  I did use it to get to the airport several times.  The price is right for me and the only problem I have with it is that it isn't scheduled for 1:00 AM which is the time I usually arrive back in Jacksonville after returning from a business trip.  Taxis are $35 from the airport to downtown... now if Jacksonville had a commuter rail service coming down I95 stopping at the airport (or free shuttle service to a rail station) then continuing on to the convention center that would be nice.  Even  Amtrak from up there to Beaver Street would save me some money.  Doesn't Amtrak go near the airport?   ;D

To:    MetroJacksonville.com
Re:   AirJTA article

Thank you for the recent mention of AirJTA on your Website.  We’d like to update you on some upcoming changes to the AirJTA service that your members and readers may find useful.

First, despite the “ghost bus” declaration, we are proud to say that ridership on the NS-33 (AirJTA) bus has steadily increased; now nearing 90 daily riders.  Beginning September 3, JTA is also adding one later trip (departing JIA at 9:20 p.m.) to AirJTA, which we think will further increase ridership.  AirJTA will now depart Downtown every 90 minutes between 5:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. with airport departures starting at 6:20 a.m. and running till 9:20 p.m.  The one-way trip takes approximately 30 minutes and costs $3 each way. JTA also offers free parking at its Kings Avenue surface lot for AirJTA passengers.

To further recruit new riders, we’ve added a new stop at the River City Marketplace.  We feel that adding this major employment and retail center to the route will make AirJTA even more enticing.  We expect to see not only mall employees using this route, but also those seeking new dining and shopping destinations from their airport (or Airport Road) locations.

JTA is also modifying the AirJTA route Downtown to serve more hotels.  Enroute to the Kings Avenue Parking Garage on the Southbank, AirJTA will now loop along Water Street to Newnan Street, allowing hotel guests at both the Omni and Hyatt to use the service.

We appreciate your interest and suggestions on better ways to market this important route.  We do plan to launch new promotions for AirJTA in the near future.  JTA’s original advertising was completed using grant funding.  That included an AirJTA video that plays on the baggage claim area monitors at JIA, as well as the billboard mentioned in the article.  Radio spots and print advertising campaigns were also produced. 

In addition, we also placed sandwich boards and special AirJTA signage at the airport, brochures in the information racks, and a large banner on the Kings Avenue garage.  We continue to reach out to local businesses to promote the service.  Initially, contact was made with downtown hotels and those along Airport Road.  Obviously, being a government agency, we have limited marketing dollars and must spend them wisely, so even a mention on your website helps get the word out.

If you have any questions regarding the AirJTA service, we will be happy to answer them or assist in any way we can.  Thank you again for your interest in AirJTA.

Mike Miller
Director of External Affairs
Jacksonville Transportation Authority

wow!  Go JTA!  I appreciate you making bus riding better for eveybody who wants to use the service.

There isn't any (nor should there be) incentive for the hotels to use JTA. Cab drivers pay to get calls on there cell phones to get trips to the airport.  Please follow up and see if these hotels are recommending JTA now. I seriously doubt it.   

This airport route has been updated to include more frequent weekday service and the addition of weekend service.

The fare has been cut from $3 to $1.50.

http://www.jtafla.com/Graphics/Schedules/BusSchedules/ExpressRoutes/pdf/NS33_flyer082508.pdf

I am glad some thought and graphics went into this bus route. If only that could be done will all routes and then market them to the public to increase usage.  With gas prices as they are I think people might open their minds up more and jump on the bus  :)

Mike,

I commend you for taking the time to respond first hand with information on the new AirJTA service changes.  If you weed through all of the verbal bashing JTA gets on this site(I'm guilty of this myself), you will find there are some brilliant ideas that I think are worth your reading and consideration.  Most members here really just want a better city, and speaking for myself, thoughtfully planned and functioning mass transit options will be a step in the right direction.

Had no idea this service was there, just went to NY last weekend left thurs and came back sun so I guess it would have not work for me since theres no service on the weekend,but it is a problem if the major hotels dont know this.

As of August 25th, there is service on the weekend.

On another JTA note, they are starting the process of BRT on Blanding!

According to First Coast News, it is creating quite an uproar!  Perhaps with all of the parking tickets being issued we can fund our starter rail project.  I'm sure the response will be much more upbeat and positive when we cut the red ribbon on commuter rail.

QuoteMike,

I commend you for taking the time to respond first hand with information on the new AirJTA service changes.  If you weed through all of the verbal bashing JTA gets on this site(I'm guilty of this myself), you will find there are some brilliant ideas that I think are worth your reading and consideration.  Most members here really just want a better city, and speaking for myself, thoughtfully planned and functioning mass transit options will be a step in the right direction.

Agree! Mike, I certainly wouldn't want this to seem like a compliment (smile) but y'all are on track with this information and concept.

Ya, know that airlines will co-op advertising in their local brochures, or schedules and cards? TRUE. Also as we are not a air hub, we get many terminator and originator flights, have y'all worked these times out with JIA yet? Would be nice knowing I can be last flight in or first out and still AIR-JTA.  

(http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa111/Ocklawaha/CRITICAL%20Special%20Effects%20Images/lightningandTRACTION-1-1.jpg)

Since this article was written, the Air JTA bus (now CT3) seems to be increasing in popularity. Most riders appear to be traveling between downtown and River City Marketplace, as well as the hotels along Airport Road.

Previously the fare was $3 and a regular transit pass could not be used. I think this kept many regular riders away. Now that the fare is $1 and accepts passes just like every other buses, it operates nearly full at times.

Saturday and Sunday service were added, however the frequency is only every 1.5 hours.

One dollar from downtown to the airport in 30 minutes is an excellent deal.

@ Lucien I concur. I used the AirJTA service a few months back and it worked great. It was only a dollar and took just under 30 minutes. Plus I didn't have to pay to park my car at JIA for several days. When I returned - I got off at Rosa Parks - then took the Skyway to Hemming Plaza and walked the last two blocks to my loft. Can't beat that.

No friends were unduly used, no outrageous taxi fees paid and still got home in a half-hour. The only down side was that the baggage was late coming out and I missed the first shuttle and had to wait 30 min for the next one - but that wasn't JTA's fault.

It would also be a great way to get to the River City Marketplace for lunch (from downtown) and eat at one of the restaraunts there. They have several - Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Cracker Barrel, Sticky Fingers, Boston's, etc.

BRT BY DEFAULT?

OCKLAWAHA

That would be nice. JTA's city buses aren't the best riding on I-95.

Does it still duplicate the Skyway route through downtown, or has that changed along with some of the other bus routes that were doing the same?

I encourage JTA not use their oldest junk buses on this route. I was on this route the other day headed to the airport and the bus couldn't make it past 50mph on I-95. By the time we got to River City Marketplace the bus was smoking and the driver wasn't sure if he could make it to the airport. He pulled the bus over to make sure it wasn't on fire and then we slowly continued to the airport, arriving about 40 minutes late.

It was a really old RTS bus. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapid_Transit_Series

Lol, only in Jacksonville. :D

That is just sad. What day was it?

Quote from: Lunican on June 04, 2011, 04:11:32 PM
I encourage JTA not use their oldest junk buses on this route. I was on this route the other day headed to the airport and the bus couldn't make it past 50mph on I-95. By the time we got to River City Marketplace the bus was smoking and the driver wasn't sure if he could make it to the airport. He pulled the bus over to make sure it wasn't on fire and then we slowly continued to the airport, arriving about 40 minutes late.

It was a really old RTS bus. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapid_Transit_Series

You can't have an Airport Bus arriving 40 mins late to the airport!  Things like that causes people to miss flights and missed flights causes people to be angry and possibly loose money and never take that bus again.  I would pay $5 each way for reliable bus service to the airport!  If a bus breaks down, JTA should be sending a replacement bus ASAP.  Thousands of dollars in flight tickets are riding on that bus.  

Any airport bus service must be perfect and it must have extended hours.  One time I had a flight schedules to arrive in Jax at around 9PM and was delayed until 1AM the next morning due to a thunderstorm.  That bus isn't even running at that time!

Of course, in this city - an empty bus somehow means that nobody wants to ride the bus to the airport that means nobody wants mass transit into the airport and so forth - even if the service is extremely bad - thus we should shut down all bus service.

Quote from: thelakelander on June 04, 2011, 04:51:23 PM
Lol, only in Jacksonville. :D

I wouldn't have laughed so hard at your post Lake, if it wasn't true.   ::)

It shouldn't cost extra just because it goes to the airport. Just because people fly, doesn't mean they have the extra money to payout!

I rode this bus again yesterday on the way to the airport (it is now called CT3).

According to the published schedule for this bus, it is supposed to arrive at the airport 10 minutes after the hour.

Everything was going great until 4:10 when the bus driver decided to pull over on Airport Road (about a half mile from the terminal) and eat a sandwich. We sat there for 15 minutes.

This is the second time this has happened.

Can someone explain this? Wouldn't it make much more sense for the bus to wait in the designated spot at the airport so people can actually make their flights?

JTA: This is ridiculous.

I have rode this route to Airport (parked car at River City Market pLace) the thing is if you have a flight before 8am ( I fly to JFK Once a week 6am flight) and a return after 9pm your out of lot. I just park in the ecomany lot, what can you do. Jville is a wanta be player very sad.

When the new JTA Director settles in, I would recommend a couple of things;

- if they set up some community hearings on JTA service as part of his/her entry to office, attend & share
- if they don't, request if they will meet with MetroJacksonville (as always, be professional, courteous) and see if the new director will take a meeting over dinner, lunch etc.

Don't be antagonistic, just share some high level issues from the urban perspective, airport timeliness, indirect routes or any of the other items discussed on MJ.

Better yet, have MJ host a "The Future of First Coast Transportation" business lunch somewhere in the city and invite the new director to be the keynote. Make sure you allocate some time just after for a small MJ roundtable where you can share information. Have lots of handouts.

Just a thought.