Mass Transit Crystal Ball Illustrated...

[Ocklawaha]

Here's the deal. I'M WORKING! I don't have time to be watching this all around the clock. I just thought some of my fellow citizens would like to know what is going on behind the scenes...

If you don't like that, fine, I can just quit promoting Jax... NOT!

How much professional time is going in my "HARD SELL?" I am retired, I am doing this as a FULL TIME gift to my city. Not one cent that I can foresee.

Where's the money? In the bank! Remember "The Better Jacksonville Plan?" In it is a $100 Million dollar Mass Transit set aside. IN THE BANK! JTA, a state agency want's to get their paws on it for bus freeways over the railroads. They claim they'll wait until ridership builds up then take it down and convert to rail. When I read their plan, I was happy sitting in a tiny office in BELLO, suburban Medellin, Colombia. Gringo, working for the former National Railroads, going private.

I thought to myself, "LIKE HELL!" Came home to Jacksonville and joined or perhaps created the transit war. You haven't heard much about it YET, but you will. Doubt it? Call Councilwoman Glorious Johnson and ask if there is a railroad planner working with the City... FOR FREE?

Bottom line, right now my plan is pretty complete, track estimates in, routes laid out, (remember this is just a starter system) Equipment is going to be
shown, along with maps and drawings, $$, finance, details, right down to station design and sites. City Council Transportation Meets on the 15Th of this month. Glad to meet you, answer your questions, and shake your hands.

OOPS, gotta go now, also meeting with the Mayor soon, I'll keep you posted on the progress. Unless y'all rather I go back to the Andes, where everything is 72 degrees year around.

Ocklawaha

[travelingfood]

imo:
1) Whatever you do, don't raise taxes to fund this mass transit project. 2) Don't create any traffic nightmare for the time it'll take to rebuild JAX roads. 3) Plan and build like it's for the population of year 2050.

[Ocklawaha]

I am told by the administration, "we have it, it's in the bank..." All came from the Better Jacksonville funds.

If it were up to me, we'd also seek out companies to sponsor stations and to help with equipment as we grow. For starters, looks like we don't need anything more.

Traffic? Well we'll have to re-install about 7 miles of track that has been taken up over the years. But that is far cheaper then highway lanes. So I imagine some crossings will be torn out for a few days each as we come across. Mostly in the Springfield - Durkeeville - Panama - Evergreen sections of town.

Ocklawaha

[vdecapio]

Thanks Ocklawaha...you are awesome!