Prices of BRT are REALLY going down!

[Ocklawaha]

I just ran across some amazing numbers on our "Magic Bus" BRT system. Y'all remember the one that just keeps getting bigger while the price keeps falling? Check this doccument out, right from the Federal Transit Administration no less! Funny thing is, they don't know what or even WHERE they are going to build this, they just know that $15 Million should blow a hole through downtown. Note that as long as the project is so small (that's us Jacksonville) we avoid some of the prying eyes of the long FTA application process. We could even fast track to blow the hole through downtown... We're on the cheap. For you one time military types out there, we called this BOHICA! So there you have it Jacksonville BOHICA!  

Downtown Transit Service Enhancement Project

Jacksonville, FL

(November 2006)

The Jacksonville Transit Authority (JTA) is planning a regional bus rapid transit (BRT) system for the entire Jacksonville metropolitan area.  The Downtown Transit Service Enhancement Project is the first phase to be developed and will serve as the center hub of the system.  The 8.4-mile project includes increased bus service, semi-exclusive reserved bus lanes, 22 enhanced stations/stops, traffic signal priority, and real time traveler information.  The project also includes the purchase of five vehicles.


The project is intended to improve transportation mobility and connectivity by increasing bus operating speeds downtown.  Much of the downtown residential population and many residents of areas adjacent to the downtown are low-income and transit dependent.  The project is expected to result in a 15 percent increase in bus speeds in the project corridor.  


The project is estimated to cost $15.61 million (escalated dollars), which includes a proposed Section 5309 New Starts share of $9.36 million (60.0 percent).  Because the proposed New Starts share is less than $25 million, the project is exempt from the New Starts criteria and is not subject to FTA’s evaluation and rating (49 U.S.C 5309(e)(1)(B)).


Summary Description 
Proposed Project:  Bus Rapid Transit
   8.4 Miles, 22 Stations
Total Capital Cost ($YOE): $15.61 Million 
Section 5309 New Starts Share ($YOE): $9.36 Million (60.0%)
Annual Operating Cost ($YOE):  $831,600
Ridership Forecast (2025): 12,400 Average Weekday Boardings


Project Development History and Current Status
In 1999, JTA began a Transportation Alternatives Study which evaluated a number of corridors without regard or preference for alignment, mode, or technology.  The corridors recommended for further study radiated outward from downtown but included two corridors carrying cross-town traffic.  In 2000, the Better Jacksonville Plan, which included $100 million for purchase of right-of-way for a rapid transit system, was approved by voters.  Based on the prioritizations outlined in the Transportation Alternatives Study, JTA began alternatives analyses on the North/Southeast and East/Southwest corridors in 2000 and 2002, respectively.  In 2005, JTA selected a regional bus rapid transit system as the locally preferred alternative that combines the two corridors.  The Downtown Transit Service Enhancement Project was chosen as the first phase of the system to be developed.   


JTA initiated an Environmental Assessment of the project in October 2006.FTA notified Congress of its intent to approve preliminary engineering (PE) for the project in late November 2006, and anticipates making the formal approval in December.   


Locally Proposed Financial Plan 
Proposed Source of Funds Total Funding ($million) Percent of Total
Federal:
Section 5309 New Starts
 
$9.36   
60.0% 
State:
Florida Department of Transportation
 
$3.12   
20.0%
Local:
JTA Local Funds
 
$3.12   
20.0% 
Total:  $15.61 100.0%



NOTE:  The financial plan reflected in this table has been developed by the project sponsor and does not reflect a commitment by DOT or FTA.  The sum of the figures may differ from the total as listed due to rounding.     

Ocklawaha 

[midnightblackrx]

I recently saw a presentation by Mike Miller of the BRT system at an ASHE luncheon.  They  went the entire presentation without mentioning how the buses are to be connected (i.e. routed) through DT until I asked the question.  The response was that it was an ongoing discussion and it hadn't been determined yet. How can you begin acquiring ROW when the planning hasn't even been completed?!  According to this post the DT station will be be the first stage implemented but it seems to me that they are just going ahead with pushing this BRT through with the idea that the resolution for connecting the corridors is just going to fall from the sky???  I don't get it. JTA needs to plan it out first before spending taxpayer dollars.

[thelakelander]

I think they are in a rush to spend that $100 million of BJP money before they lose it.  The last meeting I attended, they mentioned moving ahead to buy land for stations, before actual routes are in position.  Definately seemed backward to me, especially when they mentioned they had no idea how large stations would be, just that they would need 1 to 5 acres.  That may not be much in the Southside, but in the Northside, that amounts to stations being larger than city blocks.  Its difficult to image something that large fitting in with the historic pedestrian friendly development patterns of Jacksonville's urban core.  The Kings Avenue situation only backs this theory up.

[gatorback]

Lots of project go off that way?  You wouldn't lose money, I sure don't.  It's that old use it before somebody else gets it, or  before it gone syndrom.

[Ocklawaha]

Picking a bit deeper, I think our Wizards of Myrtle Avenue have figured out how to run over all of us with their BRT bus. It will take 20-30 years to build out because it was always be a small project. Never mind the BILLION dollars Jacksonville, they'll just go to the FTA "New Starts Funds" in $20 Million dollar increments. Thus they'll ALWAYS be under the wire (and out of sight) to the criteria for decent transit projects. Without the Fed's poking around, and with the City completely deluded by their lies and spin doctors, we are SO SCREWED!!

To me, this stinks to high heavens as a strategy to circumvent the prying eyes of those in the know. JTA knows exactly what their doing... and making "Monkey Faces" at those of us so bold as to oppose them. Al Capone (who would have fit right in at JTA) once said about Bonnie and Clyde, "Punks like those are giving bank robbing a bad name."

Well JTA? Authority's like you are giving Mass Transit a bad name! Time to pull your heads out JTA!

Ocklawaha

[gatorback]

Well said Ock.  I think somebody outta give them a smilie face from ear to ear.  Hmm, what to do what to do?  Hey, let's promote them.  Mike for Mayor! 

[Ocklawaha]

Thanks Gatorback, these guys aren't good for my digestion... Think I'm headed to Gold Head Branch for the rest of the afternoon... Kingsley Lake Maybe? Take care fellas, I'll catch up later.  

Ocklawaha

PS: Don't worry Gatorback, I'm sure you can get even with me when the Longhorns play my OSU boys. Especially after the pounding they gave Rice yesterday. I'm a (OSU) Cowboy fan but I'm NOT CRAZY!

[gatorback]

Yea, I know...me too....I'm going to cycle to the balconies.  I heard that's what our native american brothers call the edge of austin east of I35.  Is that true?