Bus Rapid Transit Coming To Jacksonville

The BRT system proposed by JTA introduces the amenities and operational characteristics of BRT to Jacksonville.  However, the significant capital costs of BRT are avoided because buses will travel in mixed-traffic as opposed to utilizing busways.  In transit circles, this type of system is generally referred to as BRT-LITE.

In 2012, JTA selected a new brand name for their proposed BRT system, "The Max".  "MAX" is an acronym for Metropolitan Area Express. It's the same acronym that has successfully been branded for a similar BRT project in Kansas City, Missouri.

With that in mind, if you really want to know what Jacksonville's BRT system will resemble, just take a look at the Kansas City MAX promotional video below:  


The Kansas City MAX






Just Like Rail, Only Cheaper?

As an attempt to gain public support, some go as far to claim that BRT is an effective substitute for Light Rail Transit (LRT) or that BRT can eventually be converted into LRT at a later date.  While BRT does have its merits, these types of claims are inaccurate, expensive and difficult to actually achieve, thus hurting the image of BRT and mass transit in general. However, we'll let the videos speak for themselves. Compare the video below with those shown above and answer the question for yourself.


Valley Metro LRT - Phoenix, Arizona




JTA plans to break ground on Jacksonville's first BRT line in 2014. All BRT corridors are expected to be completed by 2020. In the end, there's nothing wrong with the concept of BRT-LITE. However, we need to understand what's actually coming to our community and what it will and won't deliver.

Article by Ennis Davis, AICP. Contact Ennis at edavis@moderncities.com