JTA Skyway

Infobox rail line
name = JTA Skyway

---

image_width = 300px
caption =
type = Monorail
system =
status = Operational
locale = Jacksonville, Florida
start = Convention Center (west)
Kings Avenue (south)
end = Rosa L. Parks/FCCJ (north)
stations = 8
routes =
ridership = 1,700American Public Transportation Association, [http://www.apta.com/research/stats/ridership/riderep/documents/08q1rep.pdf Agency Totals Report] , First Quarter 2008.]
open = 1989
close =
owner =
operator = Jacksonville Transportation Authority
character = Elevated
stock =
linelength = 2.5 mi (4.0 km)
tracklength =
notrack = 2
gauge =
el = Third rail
speed = 35 mph (56 km/h)
elevation =

JTA Skyway|The JTA Skyway is a people mover in Jacksonville, Florida, in the United States. It is operated by the Jacksonville Transportation Authority. The course of its 2.5-mile (4-kilometer) track includes the Acosta Bridge, spanning the St. Johns River, which divides downtown Jacksonville. Each train is automated by SCADA, [citeweb|title=http://www.transdyn.com/pdf/JTA_PP_02-08-07.pdf|url=http://www.transdyn.com/pdf/JTA_PP_02-08-07.pdf|accessdate=2007-10-05|format=pdf] can have two to six cars, and travels at up to 35 miles (56 kilometers) per hour. Fare between any of its eight stations is 50 cents. [citeweb|title=JTA hike bus, Skyway fares - Jacksonville Business Journal:|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/stories/2007/08/27/daily32.html?ana=from_rss|accessdate=2007-10-05|format=html]

History

The idea of a Jacksonville people mover dates back at least to a 1971 report for the Jacksonville Area Planning Board. Work began in 1984, and the first leg opened in 1989. [http://faculty.washington.edu/~jbs/itrans/jack.htm] The second phase and third phases, including the river crossing, were completed by November 1, 2000. The total cost of the system $184,000,000, much of it paid through Federal Grants. [citeweb|title=ICRI.org|url=http://www.icri.org/Awards/2003/jta-skyway.asp|accessdate=2007-10-05|format=asp]

Conflicts

The Skyway has been one of the biggest points of contention in Jacksonville. Many critics say it goes "from nowhere to nowhere".

Some critics have suggested that extensions into neighboring communities like Riverside, San Marco, and Springfield would improve the line's usefulness. Further, it has been noted that the Skyway would attract ridership from the proposed (but unbuilt) East Line, which would resolve the issue of Jacksonville's rail transit system being one of the few in the country that does not serve its local sports district.

According to figures from APTA, average weekday ridership in first quarter 2008 was 1,700, about 30% below the previous year's figure.

tations

"All trains:"
*Rosa L. Parks/FCCJ (Florida Community College at Jacksonville)
*Hemming Plaza
*Central"Convention Center trains:"
*Jefferson
*Convention Center (at the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center, formerly called Terminal)"Kings Avenue trains:"
*San Marco
*Riverplace
*Kings Avenue"Nonexistent stations used only for testing:"
*Broad Street

References

ee also

*List of rapid transit systems
*List of United States railroads
*List of Florida railroads

External links

* [http://www.jtaonthemove.com/services/skyway.aspx Official site]