Poltergeist IV: They're Back! JTA and BRT

[thelakelander]

Yes, its necessary if BRT buses are going to transport passengers from the Southside to the Northside.  However, it does not mean that these express buses have to stop in downtown or that this routes are dedicated busways.  Instead the stops connecting BRT to downtown would be the Skyway's Kings Avenue, Convention Center and FCCJ stations.  All these are end points for the skyway.  Making these locations miny transit centers into downtown will feed the skyway with a continuous flow of new riders.

[Jason]

Ok, I see what you're saying now.  It'll save a couple transfers for those passing through downtown.

[Ocklawaha]

Here we have the typical JTA coach...Did you know Trolley buses are more economical then even Hydrogen Fuel by a factor of 2+?

DOWNTOWN SEATTLE! just imagine, it's a fixed route, and thus enjoys an 18% higher ridership then diesel, and HEY JTA! This brand new baby is a Gillig, just like your new "almost BRT" buses...But this baby is silent, and doesn't pollute.

Oh You Naughty BRT propagandist... You were holding out on us with 1/2 truths...The FAMED BOSTON SILVER LINE is a TROLLEY BUS! The proof is in the photos... SHAME! This is NOTyour JTA BRT plan and YOU KNOW IT!

Meanwhile, in the rust belt, corn fields and re-birth of good old Dayton, Ohio, the abandonment plan has been scraped and the people DEMANDED the City add more TROLLEYS! Trolley buses that is, but before you repeat this in the next meeting, Dayton wants LRT too...Where are the plans for BRT??? Where indeed! 

Up the hill, over the bridge, over the mountain, down the hill, electrics do the job better in San Francisco! Wake up JTA... Just WAKE UP!

Here we see Jacksonville's own JTA, demonstrating the benefits of BRT in our City, no rail, no streetcars, no Skyway Expansion, and certainly NO TROLLEY buses or Heritage Streetcars... Why? Well, JTA know's best. Remember that good ol Jacksonville Song? "WHAT'S THAT SMELL?" Well folks, that's the smell of JTA burning your dollars to impress their bosses...

JTA? Time to pull your heads out on the BRT plan!
1. NO BRT TRUNK LINES save for the Beaches
2. NO BRT elevated or exclusive freeways
3. No BRT that doesn't tie into and FEED commuter rail
4. Revisit limited access BRT, using HOV and less costly systems.

Ocklawaha

[Jason]

I guess that would be cheaper than laying track.  Personally i don't care for the Trolly-Bus.  Its still a bus and would likely suffer from the same negative stigma.

[Ocklawaha]

Jason, the trolley bus concept should be in use, here, St. Augustine, the Beaches etc... It should be the connecting secondary lines and shuttle lines that go under wire.

Streetcars..............Trunk Urban and downtown distribution
Commuter LRT/Rail...Trunk Suburban to urban
Skyway..................Trunk Downtown distribution System
Trolley Bus..............Downtown and Secondary mainline feeders and shuttles
Diesel BRT in HOV.....Express Flyers and quality bus rapid connectors (Beaches + OTHERS)
Diesel/Hybrid Bus......Suburban feeder lines
Diesel Mini-Bus.........Community or Suburban local circuit
Water Transit...........Blanding-Downtown, Orange Park-Downtown connection.

Call it a matrix and a mix, something JTA just isn't doing or planning. If I were king!

Ocklawaha

[Jason]

So do those buses run on electric and diesel?  Can they transfer from no-wire to wire?

[Ocklawaha]

While they could be dual mode, the economic way to run them is on the fixed route under the wire. This is why I'd like to see them only in the CBD core and perhaps Arlington Expressway, Beach or JTB.

Ocklawaha

[Jason]

Also, can these trolly-busses be converted to rail later on?  One major gripe of mine is that the proposed BRT system has been touted as having the capability to be converted to LRT.  But, why not go ahead and build the LRT system instead of investing in both?  If the trolly-busses can't be converted then to me we would be investing in two different systems (although the wire could be re-used).