Nathaniel Ford says the Jacksonville Transportation Authority is preparing to “do much more than it has done” in terms of transportation.
Ford, CEO of the authority, has led the organization for a little more than seven months and initiated an executive reorganization he said will bring a clear message and accountability “from top to bottom.”
Now, it’s time to review Jacksonville’s transit route structure that has been in place for about 30 years, he said.
The goal is to redesign it for current riders and attract new ridership by making using the system more efficient.
“Over a 30-year period, people change where they live, work and play,” Ford said.
Labeling it the “Blueprint for Transportation Excellence,” Ford said a review using “real, hard data” of originating and ending trips, rider feedback, talks with the business community and others will shape how the authority will propose a route restructure for its mass transportation services.
A public and operational review would follow, to ensure there is “buy-in” for the proposal, Ford said.
In terms of current transportation and its functionality, one issue he sees is the state of bus stops, and he is “not very satisfied with the condition.”
Every stop in the city is being categorized and will be upgraded.
Early in his tenure, Ford said the organization would review the types of available alternative transportation. He expects to report the findings to the board in August.
One form of alternative transportation is the Skyway, which the authority wants to expand to the Brooklyn area.
It hopes to secure federal funding for the expansion and implementation. A grant decision is expected this year.
The expiration of the 6-cent gas tax — a major revenue source for the authority — in 2016 also is a concern, but Ford said he is not pushing the issue.
Instead, he will present information to the City Council and Mayor Alvin Brown and let them decide how to address it.
“The question is not do we need it,” he said. “The question is the timing of it.”
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