JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Bus riders will now be able to get to the Southside faster.
The Jacksonville Transportation Authority launched its First Coast Flyer “Blue Line” on Monday which will link travelers from downtown all the way to the Avenues mall and replace route 7.
The $23.8 million project is funded by the Federal Transit Administration, Florida Department of Transportation and the JTA.
Linda Hunyar has traveled by bus for over 30 years. She said she’s been waiting for fast access to the Southside for years to go shopping and run errands.
“I catch the bus everywhere,” Hunyar said.
Beginning early Monday morning Hunyar and other bus riders will get new access to the Southside.
“I think it’s great, because I have been looking for a way to get to the avenues mall and there was no bus line that went down there, so I am excited about it,” Hunyar said.
The new 11.1-mile route begins at the Rosa Parks Transit Station, with stops at MOSH, Baptist Health, J Turner Boulevard/Philips Highway and ends at the Avenues Mall, along Philips Highway.
JTA said the new connection is significant because it will connect customers to every aspect of daily life. JTA said it will also expand with two more bus routes.
The next phase will be the East Line going out to the beaches followed by a Southwest Line. When the fast access projects are fully completed, there will by 57 miles of premium service.
The first coast flyer buses are scheduled to pick up every 10 to 15 minutes, JTA said.
Click here for information about the First Coast Flyer, or contact JTA’s customer service line at 904-630-3100; TDD 904-630-3191.