Carolyn Flowers, acting administrator of the Federal Transit Administration spoke at a special ceremony this morning to celebrate the launch of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority’s (JTA) First Coast Flyer (Bus Rapid Transit) “Blue Line”. Additional guests at the ceremony included JTA Chair Scott L. McCaleb, JTA CEO Nathaniel P. Ford Sr. and City Councilman Daniel Becton.
The First Coast Flyer offers customers a frequent, limited-stop, easy and reliable way to get across town. With the addition of the Blue Line, the Flyer now connects customers from the new Armsdale Park-n-Ride lot which opened today on the Northside all the way to the Avenues Mall on the Southside. The Armsdale facility features parking for 189 vehicles, bike racks, a ticket vending machine, safety and security offices and a breakroom for staff and operators.
“With the launch of the Blue Line, the Flyer now connects customers from the new Armsdale Park-n-Ride lot on the Northside all the way to the Avenues Mall on the Southside,” said JTA Chairman Scott L. McCaleb. “By providing complimentary Wi-Fi, mobile ticketing with MyJTA and real time passenger information with NextBus, we make it simple and easy to ride public transit.”
The First Coast Flyer Blue Line departs Rosa Parks Transit Station and runs along Philips Highway with stops at major destinations to include MOSH, Baptist Health, the Park-n-Ride lot at JTB/Philips and the Avenues Mall.
“The Flyer’s direct routes quickly connect people to greater employment opportunities, healthcare, education and entertainment,” said JTA Chief Executive Officer Nathaniel P. Ford Sr. “The Flyer continues to build on the foundation for a regional transportation network that will contribute to the success of the economy and enhance quality of life.”
The 11.1 mile Blue Line on the Southeast Corridor features direct, high-frequency service; seven branded stations; transit signal priority at 18 intersections (holds green lights, allowing buses to move through intersections without stopping); off-board fare collection; complimentary Wi-Fi; a Park-n-Ride lot and real time bus arrival information. The Flyer makes fewer stops and offers 10-minute frequency during weekday peak hours and 15-minute frequency in weekday off peak hours. The $23.8 million project is funded by the Federal Transit Administration, Florida Department of Transportation and the JTA.
The Green Line, which opened in December 2015, operates between Rosa Parks Transit Station and Interstate 295 along Lem Turner with stops at major destinations to include the new Armsdale Park-n-Ride lot, FSCJ, VA Clinic, UF Health and Gateway Town Center.
The final two phases are the East and Southwest corridors and they are in the project development phase. When completed in 2019, the Flyer system will cover 57 miles of destination travel, and will give the JTA the distinction of having the largest BRT system in the Southeast.
