JTA buses regularly run late, sometimes don’t show

[marcuscnelson]

Action News highlighting the operational collapse of JTA's bus services. Including both following riders through multi-hour commutes and speaking to JTA employees about the state of the system.

https://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/investigates/investigates-whistleblower-passengers-say-jta-buses-regularly-run-late-sometimes-dont-show-up/3OX4SJPW55HGZGZL7AI4BDBTAU/

It's tragic, really, seeing the state of the authority compared to its priorities. JTA should be attracting choice customers who would prefer riding over sitting on highways but they can’t even provide basic service for people who need them. I don’t understand how anyone can look at this and think that they will have usable revenue-service autonomous shuttles in sixteen months.

[thelakelander]

It really is unfortunate. It is the one thing that concerns me about any form of transit locally. I have no confidence in JTA being able to run a reliable service without a overhaul happening first. We haven't done it with the bus system, the Skyway has always been a mess and the Flyer isn't remotely close to the wolf tickets that were being sold in the early 2000s. It's really unfortunate because we do have a community that would be very supportive of effective mass transit solutions, operations and services. Very hard to believe after voting to include $100 million in local BJP money for rapid transit, two decades later and millions spent on studies, we're basically in a worse position.

[BridgeTroll]

I thought CEO Nathaniel P. Ford Sr was one of the best in the country...

[jaxlongtimer]

I recently talked with someone who has insight into FDOT thinking.  Rail transit is off at least 25 years due to not enough trips projected anytime soon in NE Florida, even accounting for current growth trends.  Our best chance is Brightline.

For now, we need a very robust and well managed bus system.  Quick to implement, flexible to adjust, and relatively cheap compared to other transit possibilities other than, maybe, a trolley system in the inner core if Downtown could ever get its act together and create substantial density.

Honestly, between JTA and our historical approach to mass transit, I expect more of the garbage system we have today for the balance of my years on Earth.

[marcuscnelson]

^ Can't say I'm surprised they feel that way. I think we can improve those odds but until it looks like we're doing that there's no reason to change their tune.

I agree that there are a lot of ways to improve the bus system (from both a capital expansion standpoint and operational standpoint) and I imagine the challenge is selling those improvements. Clearly "we're building rapid transit!*" might get you capital dollars but it hasn't delivered useful service. Perhaps a JTA demonstrating a little more humility and "return to Earth" might be more capable of winning the public support for a simpler marketing approach. It's hard to say.

[marcuscnelson]

Amid the system's operational woes, JTA is beginning to spend the new capital funds provided by the LOGT on bus stop improvements.

https://jaxtoday.org/2024/03/01/improvements-coming-to-bus-stops-in-northwest-jacksonville/?utm_content=buffer744c9&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

[Skybox111]

Looks like they may water down or rethink their improvements after state bill just put a cap on spending and jta can only spend 27 percent of their annual budget  bill will take effect july 1 and jta will have to take out 13 million dollars out of its administration budget before deadline.On top of that state looks to have denied funding of shipyard and riverfront plaza and now is in jeopardy. and don’t know if mosh have collected the remaining money for feb but may not happen either they have to collect 100 mil in a few months.