JTA officials had the opportunity to explain their BRT plans to the RAP Board Meeting on Wednesday night and once again citizens in attendance came away even more convinced that the local BRT plan is a boondoggle in the making.  Let's take the opportunity to clear up a few misconceptions presented by consultants and JTA representatives, regarding its impact on Riverside-Avondale.

"Redeveloping the area around the Shands [Medical Center] campus will likely ensure the opportunity for growth and could enhance the hospital's reputation. We are going to make sure we do all we can to create an environment where they can grow more and have a stronger presence here for all the right reasons."

Mayor Peyton - Jacksonville Business Journal 5/25/07

Contrary to popular belief, all rail transit is not created equal. There are many different types of systems that serve many different purposes. Take a look at this rail transit guide to understand the differences in rail transit systems.

CSX Transportation recently announced an agreement in principal to sell 61 miles of the A-Line, from DeLand to Poinciana, to the State of Florida for a proposed Central Florida Commuter Rail operation.  This deal includes diverting most freight traffic away from Orlando and onto the parallel S-Line, which runs from Central Florida to Baldwin, meaning a significant portion of freight rail traffic currently paralleling Roosevelt Blvd will be shifted to a different line in the near future. 

To put it in layman's terms, the side effect of this deal is that commuter rail in Jacksonville could be much more feasible than originally thought.  With that in mind, it only makes sense for Metro Jacksonville to provide you with a tour of what could be...

On Saturday, March 10th, two self propelled transit DMU's were on display outside of the Prime Osborn Convention Center. Built by Colorado Railcar, cars such as these can operate on existing rail infrastructure in Jacksonville. 

The Florida East Coast Railway is a locally based company that operates 351 miles of mainline track between Jacksonville and Miami.  While we've discussed the potential of using the city's S-Line right-of-way for urban commuter rail, FEC's rail line through the Southside is a critical segment to the overall plan as well. 

This photo tour is intended to visually make an argument for JTA moving forward with a commuter rail feasibility study before it's to late.

The S-Line was originally the Seaboard Coastline Railroad, later taken over by CSX, that snakes through the Northside from JTA's maintenance center near the Prime Osborn to just north of Gateway Mall, where it ties in with CSX's industrial line that cross the Trout River.  After it outlived it's usefulness, CSX abandoned the S-Line right-of-way and the city took over ownership.  For at least 10 years, city leaders envisioned converting it into a 12 foot wide rails to trails jogging path.  With that in mind, it was totally ignored by JTA and city leaders as a potential corridor for mass transit from downtown to the Northside. 

The costs for Bus Rapid Transit are spiraling out of control and Metro Jacksonville research has discovered that little to no effort was conducted by hired JTA transporation consultants to evaluate the feasibility of using the city-owned S-Line rail right-of-way as a transit route from Downtown to Gateway Mall, instead of paralleling I-95.

Unfortunately, its headed to a town about two hours to the South called Orlando.  Nevertheless, the success of this rail line in the land of Mickey will impact the future of Jacksonville more than we think.  In the meantime, the planning of this commuter rail line provides a nearby blueprint for our transporation leaders follow.