Mass Transit Crystal Ball

[apvbguy]

Originally Posted by WitchDoctor

Wow! This got interesting today.

I hope that Ocklawaha will continue to keep everyone in the loop because like it or not, something is going to have to be done about traffic in Jax.

Apvguy, I just have one question. If all of the taxes collected in the transportation sector in NYC (parking, excise taxes, tolls, etc) go to fund transit, then please tell us where the funding comes from to maintain the roads.

have you ever driven up there?

[KerryB]

Can we PLEASE get back on track & stop talking about NYC. Thats not the issue.

I'd honestly like to know more about the plans at this stage here in Jax instead of arguing about facts from a city thats 1,000 miles away.

[Ocklawaha]

Kerry B, WitchDoctor, OregonRain... I feel like I was asked to a turkey shoot only to turn out as the "turkey". I will keep you in the loop as we progress.

As for the endless questions on finance, not really my job, but let it be known this city passed a Better jacksonville Plan, some years back, The MONEY is in the bank to fund 20 miles of rail or 4 miles of BRT today, WITHOUT one cent of federal help. If we get federal grants, that can go as high as 80/20 in some cases, we could well afford a much larger system. There are several other funding methods used in streetcar and rail that bring in big dollars. Car sponsors for example, go to Tampa and look at the cars... a half a million dollars buys you a name on the car, and rights to several employee perks...etc. There are also Rapid Transit or Rail Transit tax districts, bed or entertainment districts etc... As far as I can see, it is WAY too early to try and pin down the money sources yet. But rest sure, the money is in the bank and NOT in your pocket or backyard. BTW, did you know the toll fee's were replaced by a tax increase, then the tax money taken away from JTA? Did you know that JTA is a STATE agency and not a part of Jacksonville? Besides straight transit grants, did you know that there are thousands of grants available for everything from bus shelter lights, to trees, and benches, shrubs and fountains...etc. Many of these are even private foundation grants. Getting creative is a great way to take the $$ monkey off the backs of the Jacksonville Citizen. Frankly, I'd love to see a FARE FREE downtown, including the Skyway.

One more thing, NYC is now working on the largest Subway mainline construction and consolidation as well as rail tunnel projects since the original system was built. Cutting back? Hardly!

Ocklawaha

[dolphin3]

I don't know much about mass transit but I do know that there are alot of people that are commuting up here from palm coast.I know someone who spent over $800 in gas last month! and alot of people whom could use a quick lift from the beaches to downtown and back everyday. Also how is the airport going to connect into this?