The Skyway, Downtown's free automated, elevated people-mover, will operate with an expanded service beginning Wednesday for the One Spark crowdfunding festival.
The Jacksonville Transportation Authority, a One Spark Leadership Sponsor, announced the Skyway will operate free of charge 6 a.m.-3 a.m. Wednesday through Friday, 8 a.m.-3 a.m. April 20 and 8 a.m.-6 p.m. April 21.
"We believe One Spark is an opportunity similar to what we saw at Super Bowl," said Mike Miller, JTA director of business development and corporate sponsorship.
Miller said 250,000 people rode the Skyway in six days when Super Bowl XXIX came to Jacksonville in 2005.
"It looked like the New York subway," he said.
JTA is offering free parking in the Houston Street lot near the Convention Center Skyway Station.
Miller said free parking and free Skyway service makes mass transit a good option for festival attendees and the extended hours allow a rare sightseeing opportunity.
"If you have never ridden the Skyway over the Acosta Bridge at night, you have missed one of the most beautiful views in Jacksonville," Miller said.
JTA will detour Downtown bus routes for the festival because of street closures associated with One Spark.
The authority's customer service department will be open late each evening and on Saturday and Sunday.
"The Skyway is in the middle of the festival and it's not affected by street closures," said Miller.
For bus detour routes and other JTA One Spark information, visit jtafla.com.
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