Understanding Transit in Jacksonville

Metro Jacksonville · May 01, 2009, 05:00:00 AM

Understanding Transit in Jacksonville

From the Times-Union and City Councilmen to the average Jacksonville resident, understanding mass transit technologies remains a mystery. Here is an overdue review on mass transit technologies and how they may potentially play a role in the development of Jacksonville's future.

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/1078

heights unknown · May 01, 2009, 07:28:20 AM

It's a mystery (mass transit and mass transit technologies (which includes public rail transport)) because it's been forever since we've had it; however, hope that if and when it is introduced to the Public in Jacksonville, that they will understand what it is and be ready for it, otherwise, it will be a failure.

It will be up to City Leaders, Management, etc. to ensure that the public understands what it is, why it is here, how it works, and where it will be available. If they (City Leaders) do that, there is a possibility that it will be a success. In addition, careful and thoughtful planning of the system, before the cars are put on the rail tracks, will also contribute and add to the systems success.

Heights Unknown

tufsu1 · May 01, 2009, 08:37:45 AM

great article!

thelakelander · May 01, 2009, 11:16:25 AM

There are a ton of different transit options out there. Good transit is not a result of the "one-size-fits-all" mentality many have. Its good to see JTA move towards evaluating specific modes for specific corridors. That's the first step in creating an integrated transit system.

The pending failure of Sunrail will have a direct impact on Jacksonville's commuter rail plans and anything that may directly involve CSX and the Feds. Luckily, this community already has local money set aside for rapid transit so there are options out there that should not be impacted. Nevertheless, it is imperative that we make the best of this financial resource and resist the urge to shift the BJP funding away from transit. Because political fallout from Sunrail will most likely make the fight for federal dollars (in the short term) more difficult than it already is today.

Ocklawaha · May 01, 2009, 12:20:00 PM

Quote from: tufsu1 on May 01, 2009, 08:37:45 AM
great article!

Agreed, If the City, JTA, FDOT or anybody else gets ANYTHING from this article they would do well to remember these 3 top quotes:

QuoteJTA's transit plans include the development of a potential streetcar system that could connect Downtown with Springfield, Riverside and San Marco. If Jacksonville decides to move forward with a streetcar system, it could become the major catalyst for enhancing the image, livability, tax base, population density and atmosphere of the urban core.

Light rail has demonstrated the capacity to support economic development and transit-oriented development in virtually every LRT system that has been implemented in the country in recent decades. To date, BRT systems do not appear to have as high of a potential to stimulate economic development as LRT. The size of the investment and the permanence of the infrastructure of LRT systems are cited as the reasons that LRT has a larger, positive impact on economic development than BRT.

OCKLAWAHA

Ocklawaha · May 01, 2009, 12:55:39 PM

5 will get you 10 that Peyton will do one last thing before leaving office. By virtue of the new Sister City deal with Curitiba Brasil, he will try and jump start the the dying BRT plan... "Cha Ching!"

Which will be built on new super expensive concrete busways... "Cha Ching!"

Which will be made of fresh virgin Gate Concrete... "Cha Ching!"

For a Fleet of new Diesel or Diesel Electric Buses... "Cha Ching!"

Which will all burn Gate Diesel Fuel... "Cha Ching!"

We'll be told, only with BRT will we lead the United States in Transit, Just like Curitiba has done with BRT in Brasil... "Cha Ching!"

The BRT going up in flames - Hey, it's got FUEL onboard!

What he won't do is tell the City the truth, that traffic in Curitiba is a NIGHTMARE! That BRT hasn't done squat to help that situation. That the average Curitiba freeway moves at 8 MPH! That the "Worlds Best Transit System" moves at 12 MPH! That they pack 200 people on a single bus with police pushing them through the doors. That the whole BRT mess has carried so many carless peasants that it crumbled under the load and Curitiba, with "The Greatest Transit System" is now building RAIL!

But that's okay, I've been in this battle long enough to tell you the NEXT MOVE... "Oh not Curitiba, but BOGOTA! THAT'S the BRT that will save the world..." Sorry Johnny Boy, I'd be more then happy to show you Bogota in person. Bogota? "Oh we didn't mean Bogota, we meant to say Adelaide..." Uh Huh? It's a Transit Shell game folks, and GM, Firestone, Standard Oil, Phillips AND GATE, are still playing it like a fiddle.

"The people don't want rail, they love the BRT" (JTA Official at the BRT dog and pony show)

OCKLAWAHA

thelakelander · May 01, 2009, 01:15:45 PM

I'd be more worried about the BJP money being taken from mass transit and applied to other uses. BRT is the last thing on Peyton's mind right now. He has his hands full with the courthouse. The original dedicated busway plan is DOA. It was easily proven that it cost too much and that there are more efficient, attractive and affordable transit technologies out there that we can take advantage of. By the way, it also included using rail ROW to construct dedicated busways and can't be built without significant federal funding. The death of Sunrail isn't doing the idea of dedicated busway infrastructure in CSX and FEC rail corridors any favors either.

Ocklawaha · May 01, 2009, 10:55:42 PM

Y'all need to go to the story that ran on our new sister city. I think it was last week. Peyton just about wet himself as they talked about how "Curitiba has so much to teach Jacksonville about World Class Transit!" In fact Transit dominated the whole signing and made several City, Government and Transit E-Journals. I thought I was gonna PUKE!

OCKLAWAHA

mtraininjax · May 07, 2009, 02:00:04 AM

QuoteLight rail is municipal heroin.

Once the needle goes in, it never comes out.

I saw that quote on the board of the folks in Tuscon where their government is spending $297,000,000 for a 3.2 mile Light Rail Project. Or 1/3 of the total City of Jax budget. Try getting the citizens to swallow that on a ballot!