by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
The Jacksonville Transportation Authority brought its plan for the future of transit to Monday’s Downtown Action Committee meeting. JTA Manager of Transit Planning Kevin Feldt and Steve Arrington, director of strategic planning, detailed the authority’s plans for bus routes, rapid transit to outlying areas and the concept behind the Jacksonville Transportation Center adjacent to the convention center.
Feldt said that the Rapid Transit System is designed to allow buses and Trolleys to avoid and bypass congestion via dedicated bus lanes on Downtown streets during peak commuting hours. The plan would also allow mass transit vehicles to go through intersections after the light turns green before other traffic.
He pointed out that the JTA is also planning to change bus routes Downtown. Currently, there are 33 routes on 25 streets with plans to redesign the routes to accommodate all 33 existing routes on just nine streets.
“It would make service faster and easier to understand and provide better access to entertainment, retail and employment,” said Feldt.
He added that the JTA is studying the Trolley routes to make the service more compatible with the bus routes and that streetcars are under consideration to extend mass transit options into Springfield, Riverside and Avondale.
“The streetcars could follow the original routes from 70 years ago,” said Feldt.
Arrington presented the JTA’s plan to create a transportation complex intended to consolidate all mass transit options into one location in LaVilla.
The Jacksonville Transportation Center’s design combines bus, Trolley and Skyway hubs with a relocated Greyhound bus station and the return of Amtrak rail service to Downtown. The plan also includes office space, retail space, public areas and restaurants plus an additional 2,200 parking spaces.
Arrington said the design calls for 30,000 square feet of new retail space, much of it transit-related like ticketing and car rental, plus restaurants.
He also said that a survey of riders will begin next week to determine mass transit needs and that the JTA will have 60 percent of the Downtown plan completed by September of next year in order to apply for federal transportation funds for the project.
“The JTA is looking at all routes to determine which can be made more efficient. The Trolleys are going to be a significant issue,” said Arrington.
JTA will hold a meeting in June to seek public opinion concerning transit changes. Feldt said that an afternoon and an evening session are planned to allow greater access and input.
Council member Suzanne Jenkins, who chairs the DAC, said she is going to hold another town meeting in May to update the public on the committee’s proceedings and suggestions. Jenkins recommended that the JTA determine the date and location of its public meeting before her next town meeting.