INSIDER
JTA, Drug Free Duval unveil new bus to provide free opioid overdose prevention training
Read full article: JTA, Drug Free Duval unveil new bus to provide free opioid overdose prevention trainingThe Jacksonville Transportation Authority and Drug Free Duval held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday for a new branded bus which will provide free opioid overdose prevention training and Narcan doses to high-risk communities.
JTA announces new ‘first of its kind’ facility to produce self-driving electric shuttles in Jacksonville
Read full article: JTA announces new ‘first of its kind’ facility to produce self-driving electric shuttles in JacksonvilleJacksonville is taking another step toward becoming a major player in the world of self-driving cars. After months of code names, and massive tax break approvals, JTA is announcing the plan for a new facility to produce autonomous electric shuttles as a part of Project LINK.
JTA launches self-driving shuttle in Brooklyn neighborhood
Read full article: JTA launches self-driving shuttle in Brooklyn neighborhoodThe Jacksonville Transportation Authority is giving people a new way to grab a meal using an autonomous vehicle. It’s called the Brooklyn AV Circulator, and it’s a free service for anyone who wants to give it a try.
Jacksonville officials to provide updates on response efforts for Tropical Storm Debby
Read full article: Jacksonville officials to provide updates on response efforts for Tropical Storm DebbyThe City of Jacksonville and agency partners will hold a news conference Monday at noon to provide updates on preparation and response efforts for Tropical Storm Debby.
‘Moving in the right direction’: Jacksonville officials say Debby outlook favorable for Duval, but worst is not over
Read full article: ‘Moving in the right direction’: Jacksonville officials say Debby outlook favorable for Duval, but worst is not overThe City of Jacksonville and agency partners will hold a news conference Monday at noon to provide updates on preparation and response efforts for Tropical Storm Debby.
City of Jacksonville activates heat emergency plan after 3rd straight day with Heat Advisory
Read full article: City of Jacksonville activates heat emergency plan after 3rd straight day with Heat AdvisoryThe city of Jacksonville activated its heat emergency plan on July 16, which was the third day in a row the city saw a Heat Advisory.
JTA expects to have more than a dozen autonomous vehicles rolling through downtown in 2025
Read full article: JTA expects to have more than a dozen autonomous vehicles rolling through downtown in 2025The Jacksonville Transportation Authority is showing off the self-driving vehicles it plans to roll out downtown next year.
JTA implements new policy to help save riders money; improves ID requirements for seniors
Read full article: JTA implements new policy to help save riders money; improves ID requirements for seniorsJacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) is asking riders to use their MyJTA app on their phones to help save money starting May 1.
San Pablo Road construction inches closer to completion but some residents remain uncertain about the improvements
Read full article: San Pablo Road construction inches closer to completion but some residents remain uncertain about the improvementsThe Jacksonville Transportation Authority provided San Pablo Road residents with an update Wednesday on a construction project that neighbors said has caused traffic nightmares and safety concerns.
JTA announces proposed changes to help save riders money and help seniors
Read full article: JTA announces proposed changes to help save riders money and help seniorsJTA is asking riders to use their MYJTA app on their phones to help save money. JTA workers answered questions Wednesday morning about the changes.
JTA to upgrade more than 100 bus stops in Northwest Jacksonville
Read full article: JTA to upgrade more than 100 bus stops in Northwest JacksonvilleThe Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) announced upcoming changes to more than 100 bus stops in Northwest Jacksonville to improve the experience for riders in underserved areas.
JTA bus drivers, mechanics put skills to the test at annual ‘roadeo’
Read full article: JTA bus drivers, mechanics put skills to the test at annual ‘roadeo’Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) bus drivers and mechanics put their skills to the test Sunday as a part of its annual “roadeo” showcase.
‘It’s the future, and it’s here’: JTA debuts first autonomous vehicle on FSCJ’s downtown campus
Read full article: ‘It’s the future, and it’s here’: JTA debuts first autonomous vehicle on FSCJ’s downtown campusThe Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) will be debuting its very first autonomous shuttle at FSCJ’s downtown campus on Tuesday.
JTA on track to fill 368 full-time bus operator positions by February
Read full article: JTA on track to fill 368 full-time bus operator positions by FebruaryWhile the country is still battling the impact of post-pandemic hiring shortages and the “Great Resignation,” the Jacksonville Transportation Authority announced it is on track to meet its budgeted number of full-time bus operators by February.
Residents living on San Pablo Road riddled with headaches as ongoing construction continues to pose issues
Read full article: Residents living on San Pablo Road riddled with headaches as ongoing construction continues to pose issuesThe Jacksonville Transportation Authority held a meeting Wednesday to address the ongoing construction that residents along San Pablo Road are calling a headache.
Georgia man dies in crash involving JTA bus on New Kings Road, FHP says
Read full article: Georgia man dies in crash involving JTA bus on New Kings Road, FHP saysA pickup truck driver died Thursday morning after crashing with a Jacksonville Transportation Authority passenger bus while traveling on U.S. 1, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
JTA is 1st transit agency in country to allow customers to use Cash App for mobile tickets
Read full article: JTA is 1st transit agency in country to allow customers to use Cash App for mobile ticketsJacksonville Transportation Authority customers can now use the mobile payment service Cash App as a form of payment for JTA services on the MyJTA mobile app.
JTA bus crossing Downtown intersection caught in crossfire of gunshots, no injuries: JSO
Read full article: JTA bus crossing Downtown intersection caught in crossfire of gunshots, no injuries: JSOA Jacksonville Transportation Authority bus carrying between 10 to 20 passengers was hit by gunfire Thursday afternoon, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
St. Johns River Ferry returns to service May 3
Read full article: St. Johns River Ferry returns to service May 3According to the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA), the ferry that has been out of service since January 25 is resuming service on May 3 following scheduled maintenance as required by the U.S. Coast Guard.
JTA ends free rides for health care workers after more than 2 years
Read full article: JTA ends free rides for health care workers after more than 2 yearsHealth care workers are some of the most essential employees as the country continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, and JTA wants to make sure they can get to their shifts.
JTA launches newly revamped mobile app Monday: What you need to know
Read full article: JTA launches newly revamped mobile app Monday: What you need to knowThe Jacksonville Transportation Authority wants to help you get around the city’s public transportation system more easily, and starting Monday, you can use the newly revamped MyJTA mobile app
JTA free ride program for Duval County, college students expands to year-round availability
Read full article: JTA free ride program for Duval County, college students expands to year-round availabilityDuval County students, from middle school to college, can now ride JTA buses for free any time of the year.
Traffic information: What you need to know before Jaguars’ preseason home opener
Read full article: Traffic information: What you need to know before Jaguars’ preseason home openerAlmost everywhere you look around the home of the Jacksonville Jaguars, you’ll notice a sea of orange traffic cones signaling new construction.
Acosta Bridge displays rainbow colors recognizing Pride Month
Read full article: Acosta Bridge displays rainbow colors recognizing Pride MonthAfter facing scrutiny for turning off the rainbow lights during Pride Month last year, the Jacksonville Transportation Authority lit up the bridge on Monday night.
Acosta Bridge to display rainbow colors recognizing Pride Month amid state backlash in 2021
Read full article: Acosta Bridge to display rainbow colors recognizing Pride Month amid state backlash in 2021After facing scrutiny for turning off the rainbow lights during pride month last year, Jacksonville Transportation Authority is ensuring residents that the lighting plan is on track for next week.
Airlines, transit systems drop mask mandates following court ruling
Read full article: Airlines, transit systems drop mask mandates following court rulingThe White House says it is reviewing the next steps and may still appeal a federal judge’s decision to overturn a nationwide mask mandate on public transportation.
JTA says relief on the way for San Pablo Road traffic jams with groundbreaking Thursday
Read full article: JTA says relief on the way for San Pablo Road traffic jams with groundbreaking ThursdayThe Jacksonville Transportation Authority will break ground on a new project that will ease traffic jams on San Pablo Road.
High gas prices will likely mean higher taxes to keep city vehicles running
Read full article: High gas prices will likely mean higher taxes to keep city vehicles runningYou may be feeling the effects of the huge gas price increase but it is also having an impact on something you may not have considered -- the money it takes to keep city cars and trucks operating.
St. Johns River Ferry resumes service with free rides Tuesday after equipment issue
Read full article: St. Johns River Ferry resumes service with free rides Tuesday after equipment issueThe St. Johns River Ferry was removed from service due Saturday morning due to an equipment issue, according to Jacksonville Transportation Authority.
Reinventing the wheel: JTA becomes first public transit agency in country to test ‘airless tires’
Read full article: Reinventing the wheel: JTA becomes first public transit agency in country to test ‘airless tires’JTA, in partnership with Goodyear, announced the agency will become the first public transit agency to test “airless tires.”
Acosta Bridge’s rainbow lights return; I-TEAM uncovers why they were shut off
Read full article: Acosta Bridge’s rainbow lights return; I-TEAM uncovers why they were shut offThe Jacksonville Transportation Authority again lit the Acosta Bridge in rainbow colors Wednesday night after being told Tuesday by the Florida Department of Transportation that its color scheme was “out of compliance” with its existing permit.
JTA: FDOT says Acosta Bridge’s rainbow scheme ‘out of compliance’ with permit
Read full article: JTA: FDOT says Acosta Bridge’s rainbow scheme ‘out of compliance’ with permitAfter planning to keep the Acosta Bridge lit up in rainbow colors for Pride Month, the Jacksonville Transportation Authority on Tuesday said it was told by the Florida Department of Transportation that its color scheme was “out of compliance” with its existing permit.
What will the gas tax bill do for Jacksonville?
Read full article: What will the gas tax bill do for Jacksonville?Jacksonville Transportation Authority CEO Nat Ford explains the future of transportation projects in our city now that the gas tax bill has been approved. He said we could start seeing improvements as early as this summer.
Jacksonville City Council trims Skyway expansion from list of gas tax projects
Read full article: Jacksonville City Council trims Skyway expansion from list of gas tax projectsThere were a lot of questions raised but few answers when the Jacksonville City Council met Wednesday to discuss a proposal to double the city’s gas tax.
Gas tax hike would generate 7,600 jobs, $1.6B in economic impact, study shows
Read full article: Gas tax hike would generate 7,600 jobs, $1.6B in economic impact, study showsA study by the University of North Florida found the proposed increase in the Jacksonville gas tax would generate an economic impact of more than $1.6 billion and create more than 7,600 jobs.
St. Johns River Ferry back in service; fares waived for 1 week
Read full article: St. Johns River Ferry back in service; fares waived for 1 weekThe Jacksonville Transportation Authority announced Friday that the refurbished St. Johns River Ferry passed its U.S. Coast Guard inspection and sea trials and has returned to service.
JTA opening ‘Green Line’ to connect Clay County riders with Middleburg VA clinic
Read full article: JTA opening ‘Green Line’ to connect Clay County riders with Middleburg VA clinicThe Jacksonville Transportation Authority will cut the ribbon Thursday on the Clay Community Transportation Green Line, which will provide direct transportation from Keystone Heights and Penney Farms to the VA Clinic in Middleburg. The Green Line will make three trips each day. It will also connect to the Magenta Line, with offers two trips per day between Keystone Heights and Gainesville. Clay Community Transportation also offers a Blue Line that runs from Pier Station in Green Cove Springs to Fleming Island, Middleburg, Orange Park and NAS Jacksonville, as well as a Red Line that runs from Middleburg to the Orange Park Mall. AdMORE ONLINE: Clay Community Transportation routes and stops
JTA’s ‘Green Line’ will connect Clay County riders with Middleburg VA clinic
Read full article: JTA’s ‘Green Line’ will connect Clay County riders with Middleburg VA clinicThe Jacksonville Transportation Authority will cut the ribbon Thursday on the Clay Community Transportation Green Line, which will provide direct transportation from Keystone Heights and Penney Farms to the VA Clinic in Middleburg. The Green Line will make three trips each day. It will also connect to the Magenta Line, which offers two trips per day between Keystone Heights and Gainesville. Clay Community Transportation also offers a Blue Line that runs from Pier Station in Green Cove Springs to Fleming Island, Middleburg, Orange Park and NAS Jacksonville, as well as a Red Line that runs from Middleburg to the Orange Park Mall. AdMORE ONLINE: Clay Community Transportation routes and stops
Driverless cars could be included in proposed Skyway extension
Read full article: Driverless cars could be included in proposed Skyway extensionJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The future of the skyway may not be in the sky but on the ground. On Thursday, the head of Jacksonville Transportation Authority Nat Ford updated the plans for the downtown people mover. The proposed doubling of the local gas tax from 6 to 12 cents would go to fund an expansion of the skyway from 2.5 miles to 10 miles. Now, JTA planners said we could see driverless cars tied into the skyway system. AdAs for the gas tax hike to fund all of this, the legislation would have to be approved by the city council and that’s expected to be presented next month.
Mayor Curry, council members pitch gas-tax/infrastructure plan as ‘Jobs for Jax’
Read full article: Mayor Curry, council members pitch gas-tax/infrastructure plan as ‘Jobs for Jax’Standing in front of a current road project on Collins Road, Curry called this the “Jobs for Jax” program, Curry said it will not only pay for long-overdue projects, including getting homes off septic tanks. By fully leveraging the gas tax like other major cities in Florida do, we can make substantial progress...” Curry said. JTA CEO Nat Ford discussed it on last Sunday’s This Week in Jacksonville program and the City Council began discussing the plan on Tuesday. “There’s no good time for a gas tax,” Council President Tommy Hazouri said. Curry is expected to present the legislation to City Council next month, which could pass it as soon as May.
Jacksonville mayor proposes doubling gas tax to fund infrastructure
Read full article: Jacksonville mayor proposes doubling gas tax to fund infrastructureJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – If you think gas prices are high now, get ready. Mayor Lenny Curry is proposing that Duval County double the local gas tax from 6 to 12 cents per gallon to fund major transportation and other infrastructure improvements. That income would be split between the city and the Jacksonville Transportation Authority and used for both road and other projects, including paying for septic tank replacement and other unfunded city projects. “This an opportunity to fund them.”The Jacksonville Transportation Authority, which currently receives most of the local gas tax revenue, would get half of the increase. AdDOCUMENT: Itemized list of $930 million in infrastructure projectsThis major tax increase would have to be approved by the City Council.
JEA partners with zTrip for discounted rides to get COVID-19 vaccines
Read full article: JEA partners with zTrip for discounted rides to get COVID-19 vaccinesJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Transportation Authority and zTrip launched a new discounted transportation option for trips to COVID-19 vaccination sites in Jacksonville. Through this partnership, zTrip will provide rides to COVID-19 vaccination sites for a flat $5 rate for trips up to three miles, a discount of about 17% off the normal fare. AdCustomers who would like a ride through zTrip must call 904-337-3103 and use the promo code “VAC21” to book their reservation. “We genuinely feel that giving back to the community is essential to our survival,” said zTrip General Manager Bob Gagliardi. “These values are the foundation of our legendary reputation and the basis of an exceptionally positive working environment.”For more information on which services are available through Rides to Health, visit health.jtafla.com or call JTA customer service at 904-630-3100 between 5:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
JTA partners with zTrip for discounted rides to get COVID-19 vaccines
Read full article: JTA partners with zTrip for discounted rides to get COVID-19 vaccinesJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Transportation Authority and zTrip launched a new discounted transportation option for trips to COVID-19 vaccination sites in Jacksonville. Through this partnership, zTrip will provide rides to COVID-19 vaccination sites for a flat $5 rate for trips up to three miles, a discount of about 17% off the normal fare. AdCustomers who would like a ride through zTrip must call 904-337-3103 and use the promo code “VAC21” to book their reservation. “We genuinely feel that giving back to the community is essential to our survival,” said zTrip General Manager Bob Gagliardi. “These values are the foundation of our legendary reputation and the basis of an exceptionally positive working environment.”For more information on which services are available through Rides to Health, visit health.jtafla.com or call JTA customer service at 904-630-3100 between 5:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
JTA to add Skyway station in Brooklyn this year
Read full article: JTA to add Skyway station in Brooklyn this yearJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Transportation Authority plans to open a Skyway passenger station at the edge of the growing Brooklyn neighborhood by September -- its first new station since the city’s existing elevated rail system was completed 25 years ago. It will link to the Central Skyway Station at West Bay and Lee streets in LaVilla and continue on to the existing Downtown and San Marco stations. Passenger parking will be provided at an existing JTA surface lot off Riverside Avenue. Two refurbished Skyway trains will be used for the station wrapped in a “Brooklyn Shuttle theme,” according to a JTA project summary obtained by the Jacksonville Daily Record. “There’s no better destination right now than the activity that’s happening in Brooklyn.”Shuttles will connect from the Brooklyn Station to carry people deeper into Riverside.
JTA working to improve access to Jacksonville vaccination sites
Read full article: JTA working to improve access to Jacksonville vaccination sitesJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As Walmart locations in Jacksonville start offering COVID-19 vaccines, public transportation officials are working to adjust routes to make sure people can get to their appointments. Since mid-January, the state-run vaccination clinic at Regency Square Mall has been the primary vaccination site in Duval County. A bus stop was also added to the front of the vaccination site. AdAccording to JTA, 211 people have used the routes to get to the state-run vaccination site and 20 people used JTA services to get to the pop-up site on the Northside of Jacksonville last week. If you need transportation to a vaccination site, visit health.jtafla.com
St. Johns River Ferry to shut down for 8 weeks for upgrades
Read full article: St. Johns River Ferry to shut down for 8 weeks for upgradesJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Transportation Authority will temporarily suspend service of the St. Johns River Ferry for approximately eight weeks starting Jan. 6. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced July 24 the award of a $5.2 million grant through the FTA’s Passenger Ferry Grant Program to the JTA to continue improvements and upgrades to the Ferry. That’s in addition to the $3.9 million FTA Passenger Ferry Grant awarded to the JTA in August 2019. This is the latest round of upgrades spearheaded by the JTA since it assumed operations in 2016. The Jean Ribault is a car and passenger ferry built in 1995 that connects the north and south ends of Florida State Road A1A, linking historic Mayport Village and Fort George Island via a 0.9-mile voyage across the St. Johns River, 2.5 miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean.
JTA will use $11.9M federal grant to buy 8 new cleaner energy buses
Read full article: JTA will use $11.9M federal grant to buy 8 new cleaner energy busesJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Transportation Authority will use an $11.9 million grant from the federal government to take eight diesel buses out of service and replace them with eight compressed natural gas buses. Replacing them with cleaner CNG powered buses is part of the JTA’s mission of sustainability. JTA spokesman David Cawton said all buses purchased by JTA since 2015 have been CNG buses. The eight new CNG buses will make a total of 96 CNG buses in JTA’s fleet of 220 buses total. Four other projects in Florida also received funds from the bus and bus facilities grant program:
JTA awarded $5.2M to upgrade ferry service
Read full article: JTA awarded $5.2M to upgrade ferry serviceJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Transportation Authority will receive $5.2 million in federal grant money to modernize its ferry. JTA had requested $9.3 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration -- which would have included enough to buy a second boat. “This $47.5 million in federal funding will improve mobility and enhance safety for passenger ferry services across our nation,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) in Boston, Massachusetts, will receive $3.5 million to repair two passenger ferry vessels to ensure continued service reliability, passenger safety, and a state of good repair. The selected projects will receive $30 million in Fiscal Year 2020 funding and $17.5 million in prior year funding.
JTA granted $12.9M for COVID-19 response
Read full article: JTA granted $12.9M for COVID-19 responseThe U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration awarded the funds in two grants to JTA. The $12.9 million grant awards are in addition to the $15.2 million CARES Act funding JTA previously received in May. JTA will use the grant funds for administrative expenses associated with its transit, passenger ferry and skyway operations. The CARES Act was signed by President Donald Trump on March 27. CARES Act funding can be used to cover 100 percent of these costs.
Union president arrested after a shooting at his Oakleaf Plantation home
Read full article: Union president arrested after a shooting at his Oakleaf Plantation homeUnion president arrested after a shooting at his Oakleaf Plantation homePublished: May 13, 2020, 6:50 pmThe 47-year-old leader of the union that represents Jacksonville Transportation Authority bus drivers is charged with attempted murder after apparently shooting his soon-to-be ex-wife Wednesday morning at their home on Hawksmore Drive in Oakleaf Plantation.
JTA moving bus operations to Forsyth Street location
Read full article: JTA moving bus operations to Forsyth Street locationJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Transportation Authority will transition bus operations from the Rosa Parks Transit Station to the Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center at LaVilla on May 4, according to a release. The JRTC at LaVilla is located at 100 LaVilla Center Dr. near the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center. The JRTC at LaVilla will replace the Rosa Parks Transit Station as the JTA’s main downtown bus transfer facility, serving most JTA regular and express bus routes, the Skyway and the First Coast Flyer Bus Rapid Transit network. All JTA bus routes will continue to operate on a “modified weekday schedule” to promote social distancing and to ensure safe travel for everyone, the release said. The east half of the Rosa Parks Transit Station will be closed and prepped for future transit-oriented development projects.
$2.6 million Acosta Bridge LED lighting project to be online by summer
Read full article: $2.6 million Acosta Bridge LED lighting project to be online by summerJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – New LED lights will illuminate the Acosta Bridge by this summer, according to the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA). You may remember the blue neon system that used to light up the Acosta Bridge. The new color-changing LED system cost $2.6 million and will be installed by Miller Electric, John Finotti spokesman for JTA said last year. Crews test new LED lighting system on the Acosta Bridge. After testing a 48-foot strip of the lights on Tuesday night, JTA said it expects the new LED lighting project to be online by July 4.
JTA’s University Transit Hub opens Friday
Read full article: JTA’s University Transit Hub opens FridayJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Transportation Authority’s new University Transit Hub on Bowden Road features shelters, benches, bike racks and digital signage with up-to-date scheduling information and ticket sales. The new facility, which opens to customers Friday, includes service for the First Coast Flyer Blue Line, part of the largest Bus Rapid Transit Network in the Southeast United States. The First Coast Flyer is JTA’s premium bus rapid transit service, offering customers a frequent, limited-stop way to get around Jacksonville. The First Coast Flyer provides 10-minute frequencies during peak hours and 15-minute frequencies during non-peak hours in three distinct corridors. The First Coast Flyer Blue Line currently runs from the JTA’s Avenues Walk Park-n-Ride located at 10508 Avenues Walk Blvd.
Dashing all the way: JTA Holiday Bus offers free rides in December
Read full article: Dashing all the way: JTA Holiday Bus offers free rides in DecemberIf you’re looking for some holiday cheer, the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA)The Holiday Bus is back and will be driven by Santa! The bus will feature a custom bus wrap and decorations, Christmas music, candy canes and more. The Holiday Bus will run on a different JTA bus route every weekday until Dec. 24., so be on the lookout for it on your trip! Schedules for JTA bus routes and other transportation services can be found at www.jtafla.com or by calling JTA Customer Service at (904) 631-3100. JTA Customer can call us at (904) 630-3100 if they want to find out where the bus is that day.
I-TEAM: More than 2 dozen assaults reported on JTA bus drivers
Read full article: I-TEAM: More than 2 dozen assaults reported on JTA bus driversThe I-TEAM found Spivey's incident was one of more than two dozen reported attacks on JTA bus operators since 2014. JTA records show between 2015 and now, at least four guns have been pulled on the bus, some of them on bus drivers. The summary of need said "bus operators are confronted with an array of distractions and potential assaults every day. Assaults on bus drivers are happening industry-wide, not just within JTA buses. JTA drivers attended the 2018 funeral of Thomas Dunn, a Tampa bus driver, who was stabbed by a rider.
JTA runs through training with self-driving vehicles
Read full article: JTA runs through training with self-driving vehiclesJACKSONVILLE, Fla. - As Jacksonville sets its sights on becoming the first city in the country to use autonomous vehicles for public transit, the first of many training events was held Thursday. Nathaniel Ford, chief executive officer of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority, said for many first responders, its the first experience theyve had with self-driving vehicles. The day-long training focused on getting people acquainted with the new vehicles and how they work. Getting police and firefighters involved with training early on is key because the technology is still under development, Ford said, and they might have valuable feedback on the vehicles design. Joe Moye, who runs Beep Inc., a Florida-based autonomous vehicle firm, said the training, much like the overall deployment of these vehicles, is focused on safety and the riders experience.
JTA boosts bus, other transportation fares
Read full article: JTA boosts bus, other transportation faresJACKSONVILLE, Fla. - After seven years without a rate increase, the Jacksonville Transportation Authority's board of directors voted Tuesday to raise nearly all fares. Motorcycle fares increase from $5 to $6. The JTA held 11 public meetings in June to explain the details of the proposal and to receive customer feedback. The boards decision comes after 11 public meetings were held in June to explain the new fares and receive customer feedback. Under that policy, JTA fares will be adjusted in accordance to a formula based on changes in the Consumer Price Index, the JTA operating budget and labor cost changes.
St. Johns River Ferry expected to resume service Friday morning
Read full article: St. Johns River Ferry expected to resume service Friday morningJACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The St. Johns River Ferry is expected to return to full service at 6 a.m. Friday, the Jacksonville Transportation Authority announced Wednesday. The ferry was removed from service July 25 for emergency repairs after the propeller system got tangled with a submerged rope and was damaged. According to JTA, as the ferry began to dock at the Fort George slip early that morning, the ferry operations team reported hearing an unusual noise and halted service. JTA said an initial inspection confirmed damage to the inside of the propeller, but no visual damage to the shaft. Pending a final inspection by the U.S. Coast Guard, the ferry is scheduled to resume operation Friday morning during normal business hours.
New JTA Magenta Line to connect Keystone Heights to Gainesville
Read full article: New JTA Magenta Line to connect Keystone Heights to GainesvilleJACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Jacksonville Transportation Authority will launch its newest flex route, the Magenta Line, in Clay County on Monday. It will provide bus transportation to Gainesville from Keystone Heights. Standard fares are $1 per trip and begin daily from the Keystone Heights Senior Center at 125 Commercial Circle in Keystone Heights, transporting customers to the Rosa Parks Downtown Transit Station located at 700 SE 3rd St. in Gainesville. The Magenta Line will leave Keystone Heights at 8 a.m. for Gainesville and return to Keystone Heights at 10 a.m. Afternoon service leaves Keystone Heights at 3 p.m. for Gainesville and returns to Keystone Heights at 5 p.m.Reservations can be made by calling 904-284-5977.
Last chance to chime in on proposed higher bus fares
Read full article: Last chance to chime in on proposed higher bus faresIf the proposed fares pass, it would be the first fare change since 2012 and the fifth since JTA began operating in 1971. The proposed fare changes won't affect senior citizens or the disabled community. The following public hearing dates will be the final opportunity for customers to offer their thoughts before the JTA Board of Directors evaluates the proposal. On Tuesday, Aug. 13, another public hearing is scheduled between 10 a.m. and Noon at the JTA Myrtle Avenue Operations Campus, located at 100 Myrtle Ave., in Building 1. Ofcourse, any fare changes would be reviewed to ensure that they would not adversely affect one groupover another.
JTA gets $3.9M toward St. Johns River Ferry improvements
Read full article: JTA gets $3.9M toward St. Johns River Ferry improvementsJACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The St. Johns River Ferry will be getting some upgrades thanks to a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The grant will account for roughly 70% of the estimated $5.6 million project cost and represents Phase IV of the ongoing upgrade plan for the ferry system. The JTA completed Phase III in January, which includes upgrades to the vessel, as well as operational and other safety improvements like rehabilitated bulkheads, new terminal bridges and stopping mechanisms. The Jean Ribault is a car and passenger ferry that connects the north and south ends of Florida State Road A1A, linking Mayport Village and Fort George Island via a 0.9-mile voyage across the St. Johns River, 2.5 miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean. The ferry is currently dry-docked for repairs after the propeller got tangled with a rope.
St. Johns River Ferry dry docked for 2 weeks
Read full article: St. Johns River Ferry dry docked for 2 weeksJACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Jacksonville Transportation Authority said Tuesday that St. Johns River Ferry has been dry docked for repairs after the propeller got tangled with a rope and was damaged. It will be out of service for about another two weeks, a JTA spokesman said. As the ferry began to dock at the Fort George slip early Thursday morning, the ferry operations team reported hearing an unusual noise, a spokesperson said. The St. Johns River Ferry links Mayport Village to Fort George Island -- just short of a mile distance -- and goes back-and-forth between the two every half hour. According to JTA, the ferry saw record ridership in 2018 with more than 400,000 passengers carried.
Meet young victim of one of JTA's 'preventable accidents'
Read full article: Meet young victim of one of JTA's 'preventable accidents'The lady she saw me but she shut the door and my foot got stuck on the door, Gray said. A month later, a woman somehow became entangled with a JTA bus as she was getting off. That would mean in 2018, the JTA were in around 100 preventable accidents. Preventable accidents can be anything from a deadly crash to a swiped rear mirror. Looking into the data on JTA's bus operators, the I-TEAM found some drivers fired for getting into multiple preventable accidents who were able to get their jobs back after their union filed appeals.
JTA to its riders: Drivers committed to doing their job well
Read full article: JTA to its riders: Drivers committed to doing their job wellThe letter signed by CEO Nathaniel Ford Sr. was on the seat of JTA buses Thursday morning. Last year, 232 bus operators received safety awards "for their dedication and commitment to doing their job well." DOCUMENT: JTA CEO's letter to customersData obtained by News4Jax earlier this month showed 78 drivers have been terminated from the JTA since 2017. JTA officials told the I-TEAM they are working to figure out why Silney was not on the list of terminated employees. The most-recently fired JTA driver, Carolyn Simmons, was cited with failure to obey a traffic control device at a railroad crossing in a collision with an Amtrak train on the Westside earlier this month.
I-TEAM: Why JTA bus drivers get back behind wheel despite violations
Read full article: I-TEAM: Why JTA bus drivers get back behind wheel despite violationsJACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The News4Jax I-TEAM is learning more about the process keeping city bus drivers behind the wheel despite safety violations. The News4Jax I-TEAM found a JTA bus operator who was hired back after a grievance hearing. According to JTA, the driver's union appealed her firing again and she was still employed with the JTA. Silney is the operator involved in a crash where Jeanie Rozar was entangled, run over and killed by a JTA bus. The I-TEAM found the same supervisor was involved in hiring back both of the bus drivers.
JTA driver in last week's bus crash with Amtrak train fired
Read full article: JTA driver in last week's bus crash with Amtrak train firedJACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Jacksonville Transportation Authority has fired the bus driver involved in last week's crash with an Amtrak train, News4Jax learned Tuesday. Nine passengers were aboard the bus at the time, but Simmons was the only person injured in the crash. At least some passengers on the bus told investigators it appeared Simmons was trying to beat the train across the tracks. Simmons was the second driver fired by JTA in the past 30 days. Viewers have asked why the driver of the bus didn't just back up when the railroad crossing arm came down on the bus.
Passengers aboard JTA bus to 911: 'We got hit by a train'
Read full article: Passengers aboard JTA bus to 911: 'We got hit by a train'The report says the bus stayed there for about one minute before the train hit. Bus passengers were among the first to call 911. Were on a city bus, a JTA bus. But now two passengers are claiming injuries, so we need rescue back at Post Avenue at McDuff where the train hit the bus. LISTEN: 911 calls after train hit busThe bus driver, Carolyn Simmons, was treated and released that afternoon.
JTA driver cited in Monday's crash with Amtrak train
Read full article: JTA driver cited in Monday's crash with Amtrak trainJACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Jacksonville Transportation Authority bus driver involved in Monday's crash with an Amtrak train was cited with the accident, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. The driver, Carolyn Simmons, got a ticket for failure to obey a traffic control device at a railroad crossing. Simmons was the only person injured in the crash and was treated and released from a hospital Monday. The JTA warned the driver three times in 2003-04 that she was close to a suspension over attendance issues. Monday's crash with the train was the latest of four incidents involving JTA buses in the past three weeks.
Records show driver in JTA bus vs. train crash has numerous previous accidents
Read full article: Records show driver in JTA bus vs. train crash has numerous previous accidentsJACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Jacksonville Transportation Authority bus driver involved in Monday's crash between a city bus and an Amtrak train has been involved in at least eight crashes in her 20-year career with JTA, according to personnel files. The majority of the accidents happened between when she was hired as a driver JTA in 1999 and 2012, according to the records. The JTA warned the driver three times in 2003-04 that she was close to a suspension over attendance issues. In Monday's collision, the driver was the only person injured and she was treated and released from a hospital. The crash with the train was the latest of four incidents involving JTA buses in the last three weeks.
Are JTA buses following best practices at railroad crossings?
Read full article: Are JTA buses following best practices at railroad crossings?In that incident, a JTA spokesman said that driver didn't violate any protocols for stopping this close to the track. We asked both the Federal Railroad Administration and the Federal Transit Administration if the procedures JTA drivers are told to follow are the best practices in the industry. After Monday's crash, trains are now slowing down before crossing the railroad tracks at McDuff Avenue and being manually waived to cross. The JTA said city buses are crossing a train track in Jacksonville 1,200 times every weekday. That's 15 different bus routes crossing 13 railroad crossings throughout Jacksonville.
Family concerned for future after mother's death
Read full article: Family concerned for future after mother's deathAccording to her family, Rozar worked as a shrimp peeler at Safe Harbor. A Jacksonville law firm has filed a notice acknowledging that it will represent the family. The firm said it is not focused on a lawsuit, but simply wants to help Rozar's family. Although no formal complaint has been filed, the family is still waiting for a response from the Jacksonville Transportation Authority. The family is planning the 50-year-old mother's funeral and has created a fundraising account.
Video appears to show JTA bus driving into oncoming traffic
Read full article: Video appears to show JTA bus driving into oncoming trafficJACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Video sent to News4Jax from a viewer Friday appears to show a Jacksonville Transportation Authority bus going around a median and into oncoming traffic. News4Jax shared the video with JTA, and the agency said it appears to have happened earlier in the month. JTA sent a statement reading in part:The safety and security of our passengers, bus operators and other drivers is paramount. As the operator was coming to a stop, which they are required to check for oncoming trains, the warning lights and bells activated after he passed the crossing arm. The photo and video come less than a week after Jeanie Rozar died when she became entangled after getting off a JTA bus.
Photo appears to show JTA bus caught under railroad arm
Read full article: Photo appears to show JTA bus caught under railroad armJACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A photo taken by a News4Jax viewer appears to show a San Marco railroad crossing arm on top of a stopped Jacksonville Transportation Authority bus, but JTA said the bus driver "violated no protocols." The viewer, who asked to remain anonymous, said the bus got caught under an arm of the railroad crossing on Hendricks Avenue near Nira Street about 5 p.m. Thursday. News4Jax shared the photo with a JTA spokesperson, who issued the following response on Thursday:Thank you for bringing this to our attention. The photo was taken less than a week after Jeanie Rozar was run over and killed by a JTA bus on Saturday. The CEO of JTA announced in a workshop Thursday that the agency has reiterated safety training.
Mother's death leads to renewed promise of safety from JTA
Read full article: Mother's death leads to renewed promise of safety from JTAJTA CEO Nathaniel Ford opened a meeting Thursday afternoon with a moment of silence for Jeanie Rozar. He said her death has already led to staffing changes within the JTA and heightened safety. Following an internal administrative review of Saturday's deadly accident, JTA bus operator Jean Silney was terminated. Internal JTA accident reports show four other people have been hit by JTA buses since 2017. The I-TEAM learned all four drivers involved are still employed with JTA.
I-TEAM: Why was bus driver rehired after nearly running over supervisor?
Read full article: I-TEAM: Why was bus driver rehired after nearly running over supervisor?Jean Silney was fired several months ago for nearly running over his supervisor, and was then rehired a month later, according to his personnel file. The file shows Silney was terminated Dec. 20, 2018, for returning to the bus yard about 25 minutes early and nearly running over the foot of a supervisor who confronted him about it. When asked why he was allowed back behind the wheel, a JTA spokesman told the I-TEAM: Some JTA bus operators are a part of the unions. The I-TEAM obtained reports showing four other drivers hit pedestrians while operating a JTA bus over the last three years:March 13, 2017: Pedestrian struck by the front of a bus on Newnan Street. Oct. 19, 2018: Woman struck by a bus on Bay Street at Johnson Street.
I-TEAM: JTA bus driver fired after deadly accident was let go once before
Read full article: I-TEAM: JTA bus driver fired after deadly accident was let go once beforeIt wasn't the first time the JTA fired Jean Silney. Following an internal administrative review of Saturday's deadly accident, Silney was fired for violating six rules in JTA's code of conduct. Silney had worked with JTA since 2007, according to his personnel file obtained Tuesday by the I-TEAM. WATCH: I-TEAM looks into fired JTA driver's professional recordsThe most recent incident was Saturday afternoon when police said a woman died after being run over by the bus. JTA said that it is not commenting further on any details related to Saturday's accident until the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office has completed its investigation.