Mass Transit Crystal Ball

[projectmaximus]

Ock, the visionary, once again makes me drool with anticipation.

[riveree]

Originally Posted by Ocklawaha

Hello Y'all:

Here is the update on the Transit scene as I see it shaking out right now.


BRT-BUS RAPID TRANSIT:

We will have this, but it won't be the expensive "Quick way System" of BRT with it's own freeways running across the city. Rather we will have a form of BRT called "Light Rail Lite". A much more reasonable expense with buses running in HOV lanes. Watch for this to show up on Boulevard, Lem Turner, Norwood first, then spread out in places such as Arlington Expressway, Philips, Blanding, JTB etc. This is a system that makes sense and one I will support.

Ock,

What/where is "Boulevard"? So this is coming to the Westside first?

[Ocklawaha]

Boulevard Avenue, (I know - weird name) runs N-S from roughly FCCJ downtown to Golfair (Gateway Mall area) via the East side of Shands. In fact it divides Shands from the VA medical center.

It's a good route because it connects two busy areas, and passes the major hospital of the reigon. Moreover as the first Commuter Rail line opens, the station will likely be at Boulevard and the Railroad. IF a streetcar extension runs up Main, it too will probably follow Main to 8th to Boulevard to the railroad. Each of these lines would be coming in from a different direction, and that should make for a busy mini-transit center.

Look for Downtown first - then north to Gateway. I expect Jefferson/Broad to be the downtown avenues of choice

OCKLAWAHA

[coolyfett]

Originally Posted by Ocklawaha

Hello Y'all:

Here is the update on the Transit scene as I see it shaking out right now.

AMTRAK:

Current plans are for the carrier to move the Northeast Corridor right down the Coast to Jacksonville. CSX has applied for the $$ loan to triple track the mainline, it was "suggested" they apply. LOL.

Amtrak is coming back downtown, they can't stay in the AM-SHACK forever. When they return to town, big things are going to start happening.

Watch for a 5 train grid to NYC. Also a 5 train grid to Miami via the FEC, 5 via the "A" line to Orlando (Roosevelt Bl), and another group running via Ocala. Ditto with Tampa-Orlando, Orlando-Miami, Miami-Tampa. Amtrak already has a model IN HAND, that shows with this many conventional trains running at 79 MPH (typical Florida Mainline Track Speed) they will recover 100% of the cost. FDOT and JTA are looking to climb onboard. This will also have a powerful effect on our Commuter Rail Plans.

OTHER AMTRAK? Yes, ATLANTA - and if we make enough noise and join with Valdosta, we'll get the "AIR-LINE" to Valdosta and hence North via the I-75 corridor Valdosta-Macon-Atlanta.

NEW ORLEANS - You Betchie, This train is MANDATED by the new Amtrak funding. Don't expect the Sunset to return - the timing in the Panhandle was HORRIBLE. However do expect a daytime JAX-NEW ORLEANS train to run again, perhaps using the old "GULF WIND" name.

CHICAGO-MEMPHIS-NASHVILLE-CINCINNATI - Well? I HAVE seen lines on some maps.



SKYWAY:

The City stepchild, but as rail comes home to downtown the pressure will mount to get this horizontal elevator to do some real distribution. Expect little things under the current administration (if anything). Then watch it expand down Riverside to Blue Cross/Everbank/DuPont/Fedility. Southside it will make it down to the Hilton and on to Atlantic, on the WEST SIDE OF THE FEC in San Marco, next to the Commuter Rail line. BUS-RAIL-SKYWAY station. Northbank - by the next BIG GAME - we will be running into the stadium area. Can you imagine the WORLD impact as they tune in the Superbowl and see a US stadium with Monorail trains running in and out? Call it the best investment in PR we have ever made, on the World mind we'd soar from "Jackso - what" to "JACKSONVILLE a living EPOCT".

Questions..


Amtrak - Ock why the name change on the New Orlean - Jacksonville line, won't it just become an extension of the Los Angeles - New Orleans track?

When Amtrak returns to the building that is now the Prime Osbourne, will they build new Convention Center?

Skyway - when does current administration end? What time table you say ground breaking for extensions would start? 2011? 2013? What year would they actually start?