by David Chapman
Staff Writer
Jacksonville Transportation Authority riders could soon use an automated system to pay for their rides.
Meanwhile, despite a rejection by the bus drivers’ union on a contract offer from a JTA subsidiary this week, riders should not worry yet about a work stoppage.
Both were discussed Thursday at the JTA board of directors meeting.
The board approved a recommendation to authorize the JTA executive director to negotiate a contract with GFI Genfare, a bus fare collection systems company.
GFI Genfare would provide the system and training for automated fare collection in JTA vehicles and ticket vending machines.
The contract is to not exceed $5 million and is federally funded from an approved American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant with no required local match.
According to a summary, the automated system would provide “sufficient flexibility to permit the modification, addition and deletion of fare media and fare structure elements as needed.”
The fleet consists of 164 buses, 26 community shuttle vehicles and 87 paratransit vehicles and will also include ticket vending machines.
The scope of the work will include system design, project management, functionality, testing, documentation, support and training.
When complete, JTA expects the system should increase ridership and farebox recovery and flexibility. The current fare box system is more than 20 years old.
The farebox recovery ratio is the percentage of revenue generated by fares paid by customers of a transit agency in proportion to the total cost of operations.
Genfare beat out three other bidders for the right to negotiate the contract. If a deal can’t be reached, the second-place firm, Scheidt & Bachmann, would receive a negotiation opportunity.
Meanwhile, the bus drivers’ union on Wednesday rejected a contract offer from Jax Transit Management, which runs the bus system for JTA.
JTA Executive Director Michael Blaylock told the board he was disappointed with union officials’ rejection of a contract that included “give and take on both parts.” Despite the rejection, Blaylock said he was sure there would be no work stoppage because both sides want to find a solution.
“The public can rest assured there will still be service,” said Blaylock.
Blaylock said he believed the most recent offer would lead to a conclusion of a dispute he called painful. He said the next step likely is mediation.
Shannon Eller, JTA government and public relations officer, said the authority recently received the union’s reason for rejection and would take the next several days to determine its next step.
Representatives from the Amalgamated Transit Union 1197, the union representing the bus drivers, could not be reached for comment.
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