by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
When JTA Director of External Affairs Mike Miller went to the podium at Wednesday’s meeting of Downtown stakeholders, he promised “a glimpse into JTA’s vision” and by the time he was finished he had covered subjects from the time line for the first phase of the Regional Transportation Center to a day when electric streetcars might traverse tracks Downtown and into surrounding neighborhoods.
Streetcars won’t be seen in the near future but with current economic conditions and the projected 300,000 person increase in Jacksonville’s population over the next 20 years, all mass transit options are being carefully considered by JTA.
“Jacksonville used to have a great streetcar network,” said Miller. “We’re looking at routes and the success of the lunchtime Riverside trolley that began May 5 might be the precursor to a streetcar system.”
The advantages of a streetcar system over the current system of trolley routes include having more of a “jump on, jump off quality” as well as larger passenger capacity and lower operating cost per passenger mile.
“With the cost of diesel fuel, electricity may be more efficient,” Miller said, then provided a fuel-cost comparison that is currently the JTA’s reality.
“Two years ago, we were buying diesel fuel for $1.69 a gallon. Last week we took delivery of 75,000 gallons at $4.08 per gallon. It was the first time in JTA history diesel fuel cost more than gasoline,” he said.
When asked about the disparity between the cost of the two fuels and the prospects for future price reduction, Miller said he doesn’t believe the situation is likely to change any time soon.
“Two of the factors are the capacity for refining diesel vs. gasoline and the demand for diesel,” he said. “While automobiles have become more efficient and people are making the decision to drive less ... trucks, trains and airplanes have to run on diesel fuel.”
In terms of trolley service the Riverside lunch run may be the first of JTA’s new routes based on feedback and suggestions from riders and potential riders. Miller said one new route under consideration would connect Downtown and the UF/Shands campus while serving Springfield residents who would like to come Downtown to patronize restaurants, shops and entertainment venues but who would rather leave their personal vehicles at home.
Miller also said plans to begin construction of the Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center (JRTC) near the Osborn Convention Center remain on schedule and the first phase of the project is set to be complete in 2011. That phase includes street improvements, parking garages and the new headquarters building for JTA.
Ultimately the JRTC will be what Miller called an “intermodal transit hub” including buses, trolleys and possibly a future light rail or commuter rail system, which are two other transit options being considered. Also included on the blueprints are public space in the form of parks and fountains as well as 30,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space along Johnson Street.
“It will also do something that has been a dream of the last three City administrations — getting the Greyhound Bus station out of Downtown,” he said.
The only issue he indicated was definitely “off the table” is advertising on bus shelters. Council member Art Shad introduced legislation two years ago that would waive the City’s sign ordinance to allow advertising on bus shelters to defray the costs of installation and maintenance.
“We (JTA) decided in-house a couple of weeks ago that bus shelter advertising is an insurmountable battle. We didn’t want to be the reason for a fight in the City, so we asked Councilman Shad to withdraw the bill,” said Miller.
He pointed out throwing in the towel in the battle over advertising doesn’t mean JTA has given up on the idea of installing more bus shelters, particularly at stops Downtown.
“The current shelters have no character so we’re working on a design that would be compatible with what Downtown needs to look like. The shelters also must be ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant and we’d like to be able to light them at night. We have found some shelters that are solar-powered and we want to be as green as we can,” said Miller.
Terry Lorince, executive director of Downtown Vision, Inc. the organization that sponsors the quarterly meeting between stakeholders and other agencies that affect Downtown, said conditions at the existing shelters are changing for the better. The Downtown Ambassadors have been trained in how to approach people at the shelters to determine why they are using the shelter. Mass transit customers are welcome, but non-riders are asked to leave.
“The Ambassadors are doing a great job,” said Miller. “It’s almost like they went to diplomat school.”
Lorince added, “JTA has really stepped up cleaning Downtown’s bus shelters. They are also working with us to post ‘no loitering’ signs. We have seen a noticeable improvement.”