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Jacksonville Transportation Authority

Jacksonville Transportation Authority
Jacksonville Transportation Authority headquarters building
Jacksonville Transportation Authority headquarters building
Overview
LocaleJacksonville, Florida, U.S.
Transit typeTransit Bus, People Mover, Ferry
Number of lines37 (bus)
2 (people mover)
Number of stations8 (people mover)
Daily ridership24,600 (weekdays, Q3 2024)[1]
Annual ridership6,687,200 (2023)[2]
HeadquartersJacksonville Regional Transportation Center at LaVilla
Websitejtafla.com
Operation
Began operation1971 (bus)
1989 (people mover)
2016 (ferry)

The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) is the independent agency responsible for public transit in the city of Jacksonville, Florida, and roadway infrastructure that connects northeast Florida.[3] However, they do not maintain any roadways. In 2023, the system had a ridership of 6,687,200, or about 24,600 per weekday as of the third quarter of 2024.

History

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In 1955, the Florida Legislature established the Jacksonville Expressway Authority. Its responsibility was limited to highways, bridges and tolls in Duval County until 1971, when the Jacksonville Transportation Authority was formed by a merger of the Jacksonville Expressway Authority with several private bus companies.

Governance

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The JTA is governed by a seven-member Board of Directors. The mayor of Jacksonville appoints three members who must be confirmed by the Jacksonville City Council; the Florida Governor appoints three members who must be confirmed by the Florida Senate. Each member serves a four-year, unpaid term and can be re-appointed for a second term. If a member serves eight consecutive years, they must rotate off the board. From its membership, the Board elects its own Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer for one year terms. The seventh member is the District Two Secretary from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) who serves as long as s/he is employed in the position. That individual is responsible for the FDOT activities within the 18 counties of the district, including administrative, planning and operations.[4]

As of September 2022, members included Ari Jolly, chair; Debbie Buckland, vice chair; G. Ray Driver, secretary; Abel Harding, treasurer; Greg Evans, FDOT District Two Secretary; Kevin Holzendorf, board member; and Aundra Wallace, board member.[5]

Revenue

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Originally, when a bridge or roadway was completed, a toll was imposed at that location to create a revenue stream to repay bonds used to fund construction. State and federal tax money was used for specific capital projects, such as interstate highways.

Gas surcharge

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The Jacksonville City Council approved a 10-year, 6¢ per gallon gasoline surcharge in 1986 to pay for new roadways and other transportation projects. Prior to its expiration in 1996, the council extended the tax for 20 additional years, until 2016.[6] In 2021, the City Council approved a further extension and increase to 12¢ per gallon in order to pay for infrastructure projects including the Emerald Trail system and the Ultimate Urban Circulator project to convert the Skyway monorail into an autonomous vehicle network.[7]

Tolls

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J. Turner Butler Boulevard, the Fuller Warren Bridge, Mathews Bridge, Hart Bridge, and Trout River Bridge were tolled by JTA until 1988, when Jacksonville voters approved a ½¢ sales tax increase to pay off the toll bonds, fund future road construction, and abolish toll collections.

Growth management

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JTA was the major beneficiary of the $2.25 billion Better Jacksonville Plan (BJP), passed by voters in September, 2000. Roadway/drainage improvements, resurfacing, new sidewalks and railroad grade crossings accounted for $1.5 billion, of which half was funded by the BJP ½¢ sales tax increase and half from the existing gasoline surcharge.[8] In 2005, the JTA and city re-prioritized the projects still outstanding. The actual cost for most projects had significantly exceeded the estimate due to an 18-month lag time and an unanticipated increase in the price of construction materials. Dozens of projects were deferred to the future and removed from the BJP or left on a $320 million list of unfunded tasks.[9]

Budget

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The gasoline surcharge generates approximately $30 million in revenue each year, about one third of JTA's budget of $100 million in 2010. Prior to the 1986 gasoline surcharge, tolls were the primary source of local revenue for the JTA. Federal and state highway money provided the balance. In early June, 2010, JTA announced their intentions to request an extension of the 6¢ per gallon gasoline surcharge, due to expire in 2016. They will also ask the council for an additional 5¢ per gallon tax over 30 years that would generate another $25 million per year, for a total of $55 million each year. Most council members questioned the need to extend the existing tax and were opposed to any new tax during difficult economic times, but JTA executives warned that if the gas taxes are curtailed, no road construction will occur and bus service will be slashed.

Responsibilities

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The mission of the JTA is to improve Northeast Florida’s economy, environment and quality of life by providing safe, reliable, efficient and sustainable multimodal transportation services and facilities.[10]

Roadway infrastructure

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The JTA develops and implements construction and financing plans for state and city roads, bridges and interchanges in conjunction with the city government and the Florida Department of Transportation. This was the original role of the Expressway Authority.

Public transit

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Future transit

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Hurricanes

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The JTA has the responsibility to identify, plan and prepare Jacksonville's hurricane evacuation routes. The JTA and the city of Jacksonville established a Hurricane Preparedness Plan that will provide emergency evacuation/patient transport and move civilians and/or emergency service personnel with mass transit.[20]

Routes

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On December 1, 2014, JTA underwent a complete system redesign called Route Optimization. This was to provide more frequent, more direct, and more reliable service. The current routes as of 2022 follows.[21][22]

Local bus routes

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Express routes

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Ferry routes

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Former routes

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Fleet

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The Jacksonville Transportation Authority bus fleet is composed mostly of 35 or 40-foot Gillig BRT Plus buses, used on local routes, while some Gillig BRTs and Low Floors are used as contingency spares.[30] Most of the standard Gilligs are painted in the same livery, with CNG units distinguishable by CNG stickers on the sides.

Fleet Series Year Make Model Length Propulsion Engine Transmission Notes
1601–1623 2007 Gillig BRT 40' Diesel Cummins ISL ZF Ecomat 5HP592C Retirement currently in process; Used as contingency spares.
2101–2114 2010 Low Floor ZF Ecomat 5HP594C Some units retired; Used as contingency spares.
2115–2127 2011 Cummins ISL9 ZF Ecolife 6AP1400B Used as contingency spares.
2201–2207 2013 BRT Plus HEV Diesel-electric hybrid Cummins ISB6.7 Allison EP-40
2208–2213 BRT Diesel Cummins-Westport ISL9 ZF Ecolife 6AP1400B
2401–2410 2014 BRT Plus
2501–2512 2015 CNG Cummins-Westport ISL G
2601 2016
2602–2610 35'
2701–2716 2017 40' Cummins-Westport ISL G NZ One unit (2708) retired after a major accident on 9/10/18
2801–2807 2018 Cummins-Westport L9N Voith 864.6
2901–2908 2019
E2909–E2910 2020 Low Floor Plus EV Electric bus Direct drive
3001–3008 BRT Plus CNG Cummins-Westport L9N Voith 864.6
3101 2021
3102–3108 35'
3109–3112 Diesel Cummins-Westport L9 ZF Ecolife
3113–3116 40'
3117 35' CNG Cummins-Westport L9N Voith 864.6
3201–3206 2022
3301–3314 2023 40' Rear plug-style door option
3315–3318 35'
3401–3412 2024 40' Allison B400R To enter service
B001–B011 2015 BRT Plus 40' Cummins-Westport ISL G ZF Ecolife 6AP1400B Used only on First Coast Flyer
B012–B024 2016
B025–B043 2018 Cummins-Westport L9N Voith 864.6
B044–B058 2021

[31]

First Coast Commuter Rail

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First Coast Commuter Rail
Overview
StatusAlternative Study Stage
LocaleNorth Florida
Termini
  • Central: Downtown Jacksonville, FL
  • North: Yulee, FL
    Southwest: Green Cove Springs, FL
    Southeast: St Augustine, FL
Websitehttps://gis.jtafla.com/portal/apps/MapJournal/index.html?appid=9813461a3590462892bcd0cc13d26161
Service
TypeCommuter rail
Technical
Line length91 mi (146 km)[32]
CharacterAt-grade
Track gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
Route map

FEC Mainline
Monorail Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center
Jacksonville Skyway maintenance facility
Jacksonville Skyway
to Kings Avenue
enlarge…
The Avenues
Racetrack Rd
Duval County
St. Johns County
St. Augustine
FEC Mainline
to Miami

First Coast Commuter Rail is a proposed commuter rail system serving Jacksonville, FL and northeast Florida. It is currently in the planning stages, having completed the first step of a feasibility study and currently pursuing an alternatives analysis.

Three routes were analyzed in depth, north to Yulee, FL, southwest to Green Cove Springs, FL and the southeast to St. Augustine, FL.[33]

A feasibility study was completed in November 2009 for the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA). James Boyle, JTA's regional transportation planner, has since said that there are no fatal flaws in the study.[32]

JTA hired a consultant to conduct a feasibility study in early 2008 at the cost of $400,000. It was completed in November 2009.[34] The study looked into 7 routes, most along existing freight rail right of ways. Three of these, north to Yulee, FL, southwest to Green Cove Springs, FL and the southeast to St. Augustine, FL were selected for in depth study.[33] In the Summer of 2010, JTA allocated $1 Million for an Alternative Analysis study on the proposed system. This is a required step to participate in the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) New Starts program.[35]

In May 2013, St. Augustine City Commission voted in a resolution supporting the proposal of a commuter train service on the southeast corridor. JTA says that the federal government could fund half of the southeast corridor project, estimated to cost about $193.3 million. The proposal still needs approval from St. Johns County, The North Florida Transportation Planning Organization board, and the Jacksonville Transportation Authority board.[36]

As of 2023, First Coast Commuter Rail is still in the planning stages and no funding has been identified for its implementation.[37]

All routes in the in-depth study start in downtown Jacksonville and head out in one of three directions: North (to Yulee), South (to Green Cove Springs), and Southeast (to St. Augustine).

North Corridor
Overview
StatusPlanning (Alternatives Analysis)
Termini
  • Downtown Jacksonville, FL
  • Yulee, FL
Stations15
Service
SystemFirst Coast Commuter Rail
Daily ridership1020 to 2040 (Projected TBC)
Technical
Line length23.7 mi (38.1 km)
Track gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)

The North Corridor originates in Downtown Jacksonville, and heads North along the abandoned S-Line to the CSX Kingsland division line to Yulee, FL. The Kingsland division line is a remnant of the Seaboard Air Line's mainline. The route passes two miles (3 km) from Jacksonville International Airport.

Southwest Corridor
Overview
StatusPlanning (Alternatives Analysis)
Termini
  • Downtown Jacksonville, FL
  • Green Cove Springs, FL
Stations12
Service
SystemFirst Coast Commuter Rail
Daily ridership1490 to 2970 (Projected TBC)
Technical
Line length29.3 mi (47.2 km)
Track gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)

The Southwest Corridor originates in Downtown Jacksonville, and heads South along the CSX A-Line to Green Cove Springs, FL.

Southeast Corridor
Overview
StatusPlanning (Alternatives Analysis)
Termini
  • Downtown Jacksonville, FL
  • St. Augustine, FL
Stations13
Service
SystemFirst Coast Commuter Rail
Daily ridership2410 to 4810 (Projected TBC)
Technical
Line length38.4 mi (61.8 km)
Track gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)

The Southeast Corridor originates in Downtown Jacksonville, and heads Southeast along the Florida East Coast Railway's main line to St. Augustine, closely following U.S. 1, known as Philips Highway in Jacksonville and Ponce de Leon Boulevard in St. Augustine . The proposed 38.4-mile (61.8 km) route would share the railbed with the northernmost part of a 368-mile (592 km) freight rail line to Miami. The heavily trafficked corridor already serves 17 regularly scheduled interregional freight trains per day, a figure which does not include Amtrak service, unscheduled freight trains, and other services. The 2009 feasibility study estimated that this route could carry an estimated 5,469 passengers in 2020 on trains between Jacksonville and St. Augustine. Travel time is estimated at 51 minutes end to end, comparable to travel time by car.[38] Notable proposed stops along the route include the J. Turner Butler Freeway, The Avenues, Race Track Road/Nocatee, the massive mixed-use residential/commercial development at Palencia, West St. Augustine, the Northeast Florida Regional Airport (not to be confused with the much larger and busier Jacksonville International Airport almost 50 miles to the north), the St. Johns County Government Complex, and its terminus in Downtown St. Augustine.[36][38]

By 2023, planning for the Southeast Corridor had progressed to the planning phase with a potential of four stations along the route: the Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center at LaVilla, Avenues Walk, Racetrack Road, and St. Augustine.[39]

References

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  1. ^ "Transit Ridership Report Third Quarter 2024" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. November 20, 2024. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  2. ^ "Transit Ridership Report Fourth Quarter 2023" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. March 4, 2024. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  3. ^ "FAQ" Jacksonville Transportation Authority website
  4. ^ "Board of Directors" Jacksonville Transportation Authority website
  5. ^ "Board of Directors". JTA. Jacksonville Transportation Authority. September 2022. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  6. ^ Hannan, Larry: "JTA to ask council for gas tax increase and extension" Florida Times-Union, June 5, 2010
  7. ^ "Jacksonville City Council approves doubling gas tax for $930 million 'Jobs for Jax' plan". firstcoastnews.com. May 26, 2021. Retrieved 2021-10-11.
  8. ^ "ROADS/INFRASTRUCTURE/TRANSPORTATION" City of Jacksonville, Better Jacksonville Plan
  9. ^ "Unfunded Better Jacksonville Plan road projects" Florida Times-Union, May 7, 2009
  10. ^ "Jacksonville Transportation Authority – About JTA". www.jtafla.com. Retrieved 2021-10-11.
  11. ^ "First Coast Flyer" (2016). www.jtafla.com. Jacksonville Transportation Authority. Retrieved May 11, 2018.
  12. ^ "Trolley Schedules" Jacksonville Transportation Authority website
  13. ^ "St. John's River Ferry | Schedule, Costs, Information, Directions | JTA". ferry.jtafla.com. Retrieved 2023-06-15.
  14. ^ "Profile of Services" Archived 2010-03-26 at the Wayback Machine Jacksonville Transportation Authority website
  15. ^ "JRTC" (2016). www.jtafla.com. Jacksonville Transportation Authority. Retrieved May 11, 2018.
  16. ^ Tarancon, Alicia; Jax, Action News (May 4, 2020). "Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center officially open after COVID-19 delay". Action News Jax.
  17. ^ "Jacksonville Transportation Authority - Commuter Rail". 2016-05-21. Archived from the original on 2016-05-21. (2016). www.jtafla.com. Jacksonville Transportation Authority. Retrieved May 11, 2018.
  18. ^ "Jacksonville Transportation Authority - Skyway Modernization Program". www.jtafla.com. Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. (2016). www.jtafla.com. Jacksonville Transportation Authority. Retrieved May 11, 2018.
  19. ^ "Jacksonville Transportation Authority – Ultimate Urban Circulator". www.jtafla.com. Archived from the original on 2021-05-06. Retrieved 2021-04-20.
  20. ^ "History" Jacksonville Transportation Authority website
  21. ^ "JTA Bus Routes & Schedules". ride.jtafla.com.
  22. ^ "Jacksonville Transportation Authority announces new service enhancements starting January 22". Action News Jax. January 22, 2024.
  23. ^ "JTA Ready to Launch First Coast Flyer Green Line". Mass Transit. November 24, 2015.
  24. ^ "JTA Ready to Launch First Coast Flyer "Blue Line" on December 5, 2016". Mass Transit. November 17, 2016.
  25. ^ "JTA launches First Coast Flyer Red Line in Jacksonville" (published December 3, 2018). 4 December 2018.
  26. ^ a b c "JTA Launching New ReadiRide Zones Dec. 2". Archived from the original on 2019-12-08.
  27. ^ Skepple, Junior. "JTA partners with Beachside Buggies to enhance mobility at the Beaches".
  28. ^ "Trolley route + dates". 10 December 2013.
  29. ^ Jenae, Julia. "JTA terminates community shuttle in Mandarin". First Coast News.
  30. ^ "Jacksonville Transportation Authority - CPTDB Wiki". cptdb.ca.
  31. ^ "Jacksonville Transit Authority (Jacksonville, FL)". Canadian Public Transit Discussion Board. March 18, 2014.
  32. ^ a b Chapman, David (April 9, 2010). "JTA finds 'no fatal flaws' in commuter rail study". Daily Record.
  33. ^ a b "Feasibility Study Final Report" (PDF). Gannett Fleming. July 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 13, 2011.
  34. ^ Hannan, Larry (September 28, 2009). "Report: Jacksonville commuter rail would be costly". jacksonville.com. Retrieved May 6, 2016.
  35. ^ "Jacksonville Commuter Rail Plans Progressing". Metro Jacksonville. July 2, 2010. Retrieved May 6, 2016.
  36. ^ a b Inclan, Lorena (May 14, 2013). "Commuter rail from Saint Augustine to Jax gets preliminary green light". ActionNewsJax.com. Archived from the original on September 1, 2013.
  37. ^ "Florida Passenger Rail System Study – Final Report" (PDF). CPCS. 2018. p. 8. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 25, 2018. Retrieved November 24, 2019.
  38. ^ a b Jordan, Douglas (May 13, 2013). "St. Augustine asked to support commuter rail link to Jax". StAugustine.com. Retrieved May 6, 2016.
  39. ^ Harding, Ashley (July 28, 2023). "Updates on First Coast Commuter Rail project coming Aug. 8 & 9". 4JAX. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
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30°19′51″N 81°40′36″W / 30.330763°N 81.676686°W / 30.330763; -81.676686