Let’s Get Back to the Basics at JTA

[marcuscnelson]

In related news, Skyway service ended early this morning after "unexpected operational circumstances."

https://www.jtafla.com/media-center/service-alerts/skyway-service-update-due-to-unexpected-operational-circumstances-the-skyway-service-has-concluded-early-today-october-30/

[Steve]

So they're selling 4 trains. As I understand it they had 10. There has to be more to this.

[blizz01]

Those look like old "parts" trains. Maybe MOSH should pick one up for one of their future exhibits....

[jaxlongtimer]

In related news, Skyway service ended early this morning after "unexpected operational circumstances."

https://www.jtafla.com/media-center/service-alerts/skyway-service-update-due-to-unexpected-operational-circumstances-the-skyway-service-has-concluded-early-today-october-30/

LOL, because all the personnel that run the Skyway and are being terminated used their last days on the payroll for vacation leaving no one to mind the store???  I don't see a restart of the current system anytime soon, if ever.

To Ennis's points, the question remains what is the future of the track infrastructure?

[jcjohnpaint]

[jcjohnpaint]

It takes an outsider to understand why the ridership was low. I stopped riding the skyway when they shut down service early for no reason leaving me stuck downtown when I parked at the Kings Avenue Station. This happened twice. The system was designed to fail.

[jaxlongtimer]

This video is great!  The narrator is entertaining, well informed and sticks to well researched facts with added commentary to keep the viewer interested.  Great promo for Jacksonville and Downtown, if not the Skyway. Thanks for posting!

[Ken_FSU]

This video is great!  The narrator is entertaining, well informed and sticks to well researched facts with added commentary to keep the viewer interested.  Great promo for Jacksonville and Downtown, if not the Skyway. Thanks for posting!

Agreed! It's always so fun to see Jacksonville through an outsider's eyes too. Love this guy. Look forwarding to watching more of his videos.

[jcjohnpaint]

There are a few more out there, but mostly to make fun of downtown Jacksonville. This guy did do research for sure.

[ReedDusdennis]

For anyone figuring out an alternative after the Skyway pause, JTA has added a practical bus summary to its Skyway page: Green and Red First Coast Flyer lines for Downtown, Blue for the Southbank, plus local Routes 1, 3 and 11 depending on the trip. It lists First Coast Flyer frequency as 20 minutes on weekdays and 30 on weekends. Regular bus fares, including fare capping, apply.

Official information: https://www.jtafla.com/transit-services/skyway/

One caution when checking route directories: this independent JTA directory still lists the Skyway, but its displayed schedule feed ends October 31: https://train-bus-schedule.org/us/fl/duval-county/jacksonville-transportation-authority/ . A route appearing there is not evidence that it is operating after the pause. For a Kings Avenue return trip in particular, I would check the actual bus boarding stop and last departure for that day instead of assuming the old Skyway connection is available.

[marcuscnelson]

Times-Union today discussing how JTA's finances deteriorated over the last two years.

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/local/2026/10/12/how-jta-racked-up-deficits-that-force-layoffs-and-transit-cuts/92157322007/

I'm a little curious by the lack of certain names being mentioned lately: Raj Srinath and Heather Obora. Srinath was CFO at JTA from October 2023 to June 2025, with Obora serving as interim seemingly until Randall Barnes took over in August this year. The extent of these budgeting mishaps really begs some questions about their leadership.

For anyone interested, it would be worth talking to Greg Hayes, the competent/principled CFO at JEA who was let go after 7 years in 2023, as well. He has a point of view.

Looks like they've had this conversation:

https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2026/11/03/we-owe-it-to-the-taxpayers-jacksonville-committee-continues-to-seek-answers-on-40m-transit-authority-deficit/

[Ocklawaha]

JUST FOR FUN:

The average cost of a MONORAIL beam-way is around $100 million per mile. Add around $10 million per new 4-car trains.

Simple beam-way extensions to:
Atlantic in San Marco - 3,470 feet
Post Street in 5-Points - 4,600 feet
VA & UF Health near 8th Street in Springfield - 6,000 feet
AP Randolph in Fairfield - 5,380 feet

TOTAL - 19,450 feet or 3.68 miles of new beam-ways, all along City or State right-of-way and Parks.

Approximately $368 million for beam-way extensions and stations plus $40 million for 4 new trains.
$450 million rounded number to convert Skyway into a REAL 6.18 mile monorail mass transit system, but ignorance and lack of vision has unfortunately convinced the city and JTA to go from MASS TRANSIT TRAINS to golf carts.