ATTEND JTA's Plan To KILL RAIL, 4-7 MON.

[exnewsman]

WHAT? PUBLIC HEARING
WHERE? BEST WESTERN - SOUTHPOINT
WHEN? 4-7 MONDAY

This is NOT a public hearing. It's a public MEETING. So I wouldn't expect a speaking segment. I'm sure you can write out your comments though and leave them for JTA.

[Ocklawaha]

Okay team, eaving my keypad for the afternoon? Maybe Stephen could live blog this!

For those that don't think you can attend, remember the vital part of this is 6-7PM with QandA at the end! Even if you miss most of the meeting, your comments can still be heard. Also JTA has a forum for sending in your comments if you absolutely can't make any part of the meeting. They'll also have comment forms that can be picked up and taken home in about 2 minutes if you want a "drive-by-comment", just mail it back.

...and I agree with what TUFSU said, I don't think these people have a clue what the result will be so play nice.

See y'all at the BUS STOP!


OCKLAWAHA

[Ocklawaha]

WHAT? PUBLIC HEARING
WHERE? BEST WESTERN - SOUTHPOINT
WHEN? 4-7 MONDAY

This is NOT a public hearing. It's a public MEETING. So I wouldn't expect a speaking segment. I'm sure you can write out your comments though and leave them for JTA.

My bad! In other words, are we all to shut up?

I'll be there!


OCKLAWAHA

[904Scars]

WHAT? PUBLIC HEARING
WHERE? BEST WESTERN - SOUTHPOINT
WHEN? 4-7 MONDAY

This is NOT a public hearing. It's a public MEETING. So I wouldn't expect a speaking segment. I'm sure you can write out your comments though and leave them for JTA.

My bad! In other words, are we all to shut up?

I'll be there!

HECK NO! HAHA


OCKLAWAHA

[thelakelander]

Here are some questions you all should think about asking.

1. How much will the proposed BRT improvements cost?

2. How will a request for FTA funding assistance on this project impact the similar request for the proposed parallel commuter rail corridor?

3. Why has a decision been made to move forward with BRT along this corridor instead of one in a more transit dependent area that does not parallel a proposed rail project, such as the Arlington/Regency line or Southside Blvd?

4. Where exactly will the dedicated bus lanes be constructed and what segments along Philips will operate in mixed traffic?

5. Considering Philips Highway really does not back up, why spend money on dedicated lane infrastructure at all?  Wouldn't it be more efficient to address individual hot spots (such as the University/Bowden interesection?

6. How will this project be integrated with the proposed I-95/JTB project, which will limit pedestrian and bicycle accessibility between the BRT corridor and Southpoint?

7. Will this BRT corridor be an actual transit line or a corridor set up for multiple existing bus lines to drive to reach their various destinations?

8. Will this BRT project involve parallel bicycle and pedestrian improvements along this entire stretch of Philips Highway?

9. What type of TOD activity can we expect to be generated with this investment in BRT along Philips Highway?

10. Why can't an existing bus line be modified to run with frequent 10-15 minute headways, making stops at the same locations along this corridor now and without FTA assistance? 

[tufsu1]

nice summary Lake

[CS Foltz]

lake ....I have to add #11 to your summary which would be...............what about covered bus stops for this routing? By the way, I do agree with #10 and should add, I have reservations regarding any enhancement on Phillips simply because the ridership numbers are less than what take place on the north and west side! Having passed bus's on the Phillips stretch many many times and seeing just how many riders are onboard (6 at most and usually less) I would have to question ............is this worth the taxpayer money to do this? There are other stretches that need the enhancement more than Phillips! This is taking into account the ridership numbers for this leg! Jta appears to have no numbers for this particular stretch..............makes me wonder if they are cooking the books again!

[Ocklawaha]

JTA has a legimate delema in trying to find a quick way to move buses from the outlaying routes into downtown. Does one pick the least traveled (and thus less popular) route, or the high density congested route?  In this case they are obviously going for the "cheap" and trying to funnel all of the super buses via Philips hoping perhaps pimps and hookers will make up the difference.

Hey team, I even understand the concept of BRT from downtown or from Bay Meadows/Southpoint to Mandarin or the Avenues, but:

1. Don't place it along side a railroad that "we plan" on using for parallel commuter services, the Feds will think we're smoking crack when we ask for the funding to compete with ourselves!

2. Don't place the route along a street where NOBODY wants to go, sure it's cheaper but the results will be just as "CHEAP".

3. As Lake suggests bite the bullet and put the damn BRT on routes that cross the railroad at right angles and thus compliment it.

4. If we must have a BRT lane from downtown to the far corners of the city, choose SAN JOSE, SOUTHSIDE, or ARLINGTON EXPY, ATLANTIC, BEACH, MERRILL, etc...  

5. Don't tell us the bus will be a train and prove that the ridership is there for rail, that is disengenuinious and has NEVER been proved ANYWHERE.

6. Consider improvements on a boulevard such as San Joseh to include "electric trolley bus" on the highest density segments, passive bus lanes using brick/cobblestone and a smooth bus runway, Colorize and light the new transit lane with LEDS. All of these concepts have been proven winners in many other cities.

7. Don't piss on our legs and tell us it's raining!

8. Remember not everyone that works at JTA is an idiot and hates rail, the weird part of this is that even some of the planners assigned to the BRT are huge fans of Commuter Rail or Streetcar or even Skyway. So even though I toss sarcasms right and left (it is my spiritual gift after all) I actually like many of the people at JTA. The enemy is not the individuals at JTA, rather its the King, the Emporors, FDOT, and CUTR, that have this highway agenda all planned out. Keep this in mind before you toss someone "under the BUS!"

[JeffreyS]

We can't let them sell us on the results of inferior transit being representative of what Superior transit will do for us.

[tufsu1]

lake ....I have to add #11 to your summary which would be...............what about covered bus stops for this routing?

enhanced bus stops w/ shelters is one of the main aspects of the BRT plan

[CS Foltz]

tufsu........glad to hear that! Now you know just where the next question will be going ......what about the other 1,800 stops? BRT gets all of the shelters and the regular bus stops get a sign! $4 Million Dollars later and here we go again!

[Coolyfett]

JTA still messing up?? Man those people will never get it together.

[CS Foltz]

Maybe.............I figure about 100 years from now for sure!

[tufsu1]

tufsu........glad to hear that! Now you know just where the next question will be going ......what about the other 1,800 stops? BRT gets all of the shelters and the regular bus stops get a sign! $4 Million Dollars later and here we go again!

I know this will be hard to understand, but I'm going to try

Operational funds (like the $4 million) can't be used for capital projects....which is what bus shelters are.

Now, here's what JTA is doing about shelters:

1. installing 24 new shelters downtown
2. relocating existing downtown shelters to other locations throughout the city
3. designing shelters for the BRT route through downtown...those should be installed by 2012
4. trying to get private investment for shelters (through ads and/or sponosrhips)

Nothing is going to happen overnight....but they do seem to be on the right track

[thelakelander]

Good workshop tonight.  I learned several interesting tidbits about JTA's BRT plans. Will elaborate later.