JTA launches four new public transportation expansions

Monday, the Jacksonville Transportation Authority launched a series of new expansions and transportation options including the First Coast Flyer Red Line.

The expansion nearly doubles the service for JTA’s First Coast Flyer, a rapid transit system with limited stops designed to get riders where they want to go faster.

The Red Line connects downtown Jacksonville and the beaches along the Arlington Expressway and Beach Boulevard.

“It’s much faster. It’s more direct. I don’t have to stop as much,” said Anthony Gomez, who took the new First Coast Flyer Red Line first thing Monday morning.

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JTA rider Keshawnee Jones said getting to work quickly is important to her. “I like to be on time. I don’t like to be late,” said Jones.

The First Coast Flyer bus stops feature new screens that show, in real time, when buses will arrive.

“Oh, I like that. It keeps me up-to-date, so I know if I’m going to be early to work or late to work,” said Gomez.

Some bus stops also have ticket vending machines.

New monitors on First Coast Flyer Red Lines buses show riders where their bus is and what stops are next.

All buses now have free Wi-Fi as well.

After taking the new Red Line, Gomez checked out the Avenues Walk Park-n-Ride, which serves the First Coast Flyer Blue Line with parking for 88 vehicles.

Also on Monday, JTA launched its new ReadiRide service, which JTA CEO Nat Ford said helps close the gap between a rider’s front door and their bus.

“You can call an hour in advance and we will pick you up at your door and take you to a JTA bus stop,” said Ford.

JTA started service on Nassau Express Select, which provides weekday service between Yulee and downtown Jacksonville.

Ford said he hopes the changes will help attract millennials to the Jacksonville area.

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“When you look at the national trends, younger people are not buying automobiles. They want to live in communities where they can actually live, work and play, and use public transportation,” said Ford.

JTA expects to hear from the federal government in the next few weeks about funding for 15 autonomous vehicles.

“The BUILD grant is a capital project grant program that the department runs. It runs through transit, rail, maritime, highway projects. It’s $1.5 billion in funding that the department has been appropriated and will make that funding available to those industries in the next couple weeks. And they will be a part of that,” said Federal Transit Administration acting Administrator Jane Williams.

Ford hopes to have a driverless vehicle system up and running in Jacksonville within the next two to three years.

Cox Media Group