Solving JTA's BRT North Corridor Funding Dilemma

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

I pointed to the map and asked where the ROW aquisitions will be and the answer was 'not very much at all, just along this portion here'.

I believe that ROW was behind the Gateway station along 95 - it would allow the busses to enter and exit from another direction and alleviate some of the congestion at Norwood & 44th. 

[thelakelander]

My memory is a little fuzzy right now but I believe the consultant mentioned it being somewhere between Soutel and Edgewood area.  The Gateway land is a part of another project (44th Street extension) that's also lacking funding.

http://www.jtafla.com/Projects/showPage.aspx?Project=2

[thelakelander]

Signal Priority - isn't this the same tech that would be used not only by JTA, but EMS, JSO, JFRD etc?   If it is, then it's an expenditure that should be considered, but not JUST for BRT.

If so, they should be working with these groups to pool their financial resources for funding, instead of being stuck with 100% of the implementation costs.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

I don't know for sure, I was throwing it out there hoping somebody may have dealt with this kind of thing before.

[fieldafm]

My memory is a little fuzzy right now but I believe the consultant mentioned it being somewhere between Soutel and Edgewood area.  The Gateway land is a part of another project (44th Street extension) that's also lacking funding.

http://www.jtafla.com/Projects/showPage.aspx?Project=2

Thats exactly where it was b/c I jotted it down in my notes, and thats when she asked me if I was a reporter, lol.

BTW, I have to say I have been treated very well by most employees at JTA(except bus drivers) that I have encountered.

[Bike Jax]

If any of you have smart phones, do some searching in your app store. You will find tons of apps for transit info from maps, to realtime info for transit in every major city... except one. Yes, lowly ass Jacksonville.

JTA will not provide info needed so that the private sector will do all the work for them. I do know one individual that had several meetings with JTA to get the needed info made public but they are unwilling to release it.

Above on "What Is Bus Rapid Transit" "15 Mins headways" is a bullet pointed feature. I have traveled extensively throughout this country with nothing but my bike and bus pass for whatever city I happen to be in. 15 min headways are the norm in most major cities.

I also wish everyone would stop calling what JTA is purposing as BRT. It is not. BRT has dedicated infrastructure in the same vain as a rail system. What JTA is putting forth is little more than Prioritized Bus Transit.

I feel much better now. Thank you for listening.

[dougskiles]

Does the scroll on the Skyway make you feel better knowing that the train will be arriving in 6 minutes?  Not to me,.  I still have to sit there and wait.

I like knowing how long I have to wait.  I guess it is just human nature.  Sometimes it has a message telling me that one track is closed and the wait will be 15 minutes.  In those cases, I can call the person I am meeting and let them know if I will be late.

I have no problem with the googletransit.  But if as it has been suggested that JTA really just wants the money to buy a bunch of new buses, then how much would it cost to put the real-time information at a few of the more popular stops?

I also wish everyone would stop calling what JTA is purposing as BRT. It is not. BRT has dedicated infrastructure in the same vain as a rail system. What JTA is putting forth is little more than Prioritized Bus Transit.

+1

[thelakelander]

Probably around $450K for a bus stop with real time info.  If you do it, I'd suggest adding it at the major stops along the way (ex. Probably Gateway and Shands only).

[dougskiles]

$450k for the entire bus stop, right?  Please tell me that is not just for the real-time equipment.

Do you have any images of what $450k gets us at a bus stop?  Because I am having a hard time imagining what could possibly make it cost that much - regardless of what they put in.

The Southeast and DT BRT service is a wasteful duplication of services as they mirror existing fixed transit(Skyway) or future fixed transit(commuter rail).  Furthermore, DT is already served by regular bus service and several PCT trolley routes.  The boondoggle of duplication is enough to make your head spin.

Yes, those routes concern me greatly as well.  Do you plan on going to the SE BRT meeting on the 10th?

[thelakelander]

BTW, this style of BRT is also called Arterial Rapid Transit (ART).

[thelakelander]

I'll post and image of what $450k gets you when I get home later tonight.

[Ocklawaha]

Actually the "real time information system," should be a revenue producer and not a line-item expense. Companies around the world are offering systems such as TRANS-LOC, offer not only the opportunity for real-time information but also for local news, weather, sports, and OH YEAH, ADVERTISING! So while your waiting, the free market is pounding cool little propaganda verses into your head in between "8:43am Southbound."

THIS SHOULDN'T COST US A THING!

OCKLAWAHA

[peestandingup]

This is retarded. How are these drivers communicating to the base? Old school walkie-talkies from the 70s?? Almost every major wireless carrier has push-to-talk smartphones for businesses. Why not get each driver a PTT Blackberry (that are basically free) that also have GPS in them, run location tracking software on the phones in the background that gets uploaded in real time on Google Maps & embed the god damn map on JTA's website???

This is ridiculously easy, dirt cheap & would help out SO MUCH. Its almost like they're TRYING to suck.

[fieldafm]

Yes, those routes concern me greatly as well.  Do you plan on going to the SE BRT meeting on the 10th?

A few of us were at the last SE BRT meeting.
I fully intend to be at this one, albeit briefly.

[wsansewjs]

This is retarded. How are these drivers communicating to the base? Old school walkie-talkies from the 70s?? Almost every major wireless carrier has push-to-talk smartphones for businesses. Why not get each driver a PTT Blackberry (that are basically free) that also have GPS in them, run location tracking software on the phones in the background that gets uploaded in real time on Google Maps & embed the god damn map on JTA's website???

This is ridiculously easy, dirt cheap & would help out SO MUCH. Its almost like they're TRYING to suck.

Do you know what their excuse for not doing that?
Homeland Security Bullshit.

-Josh