Neighbors: Speeding JTA buses a concern before deadly crash

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Action News Jax is investigating neighbors’ concerns about what they call careless driving by Jacksonville Transportation Authority bus drivers in Mayport Village.

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It’s the same neighborhood where a woman was killed after police say she was hit by a bus Saturday.

A witness told Action News Jax the woman’s arm was caught in the bus door before the bus ran her over.

“How did this happen? How does a bus driver pull off with a woman’s arm in the door and then drag her? How does that happen? I say they’re in a hurry,” Karen Holland said.

Holland is among those who say they made a series of complaints to JTA about buses speeding through the neighborhood before the woman’s death.

“The bus started coming back through here. It wasn’t to begin with. They said they changed the route. They were flying through here, and I kept calling JTA,” Holland said.

Another mom forwarded Action News Jax a voicemail she said she got in August after a close call with a JTA bus on her street.

“This is Mrs. Brown calling with the Jacksonville Transportation Authority Customer Comments Department to speak to Alexandra in regards to a bus on Route 24 speeding down your road,” the voicemail says. “We did forward this over to management, and they did state based on the video we were able to see this take place.”

Action News Jax brought their concerns to JTA and a spokesperson said they send workers out unannounced with radar detection and other tools anytime they get complaints about speeding.

“OK, they sent somebody out here to watch them, but they knew they were going to be out here, so they would go by real slow. The minute the car left, they would go right back to it. Bottom line, it was careless driving,” Holland said.

Action News Jax requested the name of the bus driver involved in Saturday’s incident, their driving record and a history of complaints for the area dating back to 2017. We expect to hear back Monday.

“Our children should be able to play, and they can’t,” Holland said. “This island is too little. Do we need the bus? Most definitely, but we have to have conscientious drivers.”

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is investigating what led up to the woman being hit and killed. Her identity has not yet been released.

Full statement from JTA:

“The safety and security of our customers, employees and the community is our top priority at the JTA.

"We welcome any feedback from customers and from those living in the neighborhoods we serve, including Mayport Village. Anytime we receive complaints about speeding, it’s protocol for the JTA to send out personnel unannounced with radar detection and other tools to ensure that drivers are performing their duties to the highest level. 

"The JTA has and will continue to maintain an open dialogue with our community, and we encourage anyone with concerns to reach out to our customer service team so we can offer a solution.”

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