Jacksonville.com Feature
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posted by travisjtodd at 2:32 PM
One week of commuting on the Jacksonville, Florida bus system as reported by an interactive designer at The Robin Shepherd Group
I'm being featured on the Jacksonville.com homepage right this very minute. To watch the video interview click here. Fun stuff!
posted by travisjtodd at 2:32 PM
2 Comments:
Dear Travis,
I have also had occasions to where I had to ride a bus to work. I had the same preconceptions that most people have about JTA. The first time was in 2001 and the more recent time was January and February of this year.
The first instance was after some health problems (I’m a generation older than you are) and I had sold my car. When I was able to go back to work, the only option I had WAS the JTA. Aside from the fact that it was a 3/4 mile walk from home to the closest bus stop, the Interliner dropped me off right at the front door of where I worked at the time in Baymeadows (it ran from Arlington to Mandarin and back). Travel time was not much more than driving. I luckily did NOT have to change buses at the downtown station as you did, and I spent my time reading books while letting someone ELSE do the driving. I actually arrived at work ready to work as opposed to being already stressed out from the drive TO work. I did this for 5 months and if it wasn’t for the 3/4 mile walk to the bus stop from home and my bad legs, I would have kept doing it. I broke down and bought a car, but saved a FORTUNE for 5 months. I bought the monthly pass, which gave me unlimited trips anywhere anytime for $40.00.
The second occasion was earlier the car broke down on me. (Actually, the engine gave out. Don’t ya just hate when that happens.) Anyway, being already “seasoned” from my first bus ride adventure, the thought of having to take the bus to work did NOT distress me. I took the R5 from Cassat Avenue (I had moved to Murray Hill by then and the bus stop was 1 block from my home) to the downtown station and switched to the E5 to take me over to Talleyrand Avenue, where I work now. This wasn’t quite as easy as the Arlington Interliner I took back in 2001 (I cannot for the life of me remember the bus number, but it has changed since then anyway.) Travel time was a little more than 1-1/2 hours this time and I had to catch a bus at the crack of dawn to get to work at 7:30 A.M. I don’t have the luxury you have of getting to work shortly before 10 all coffee’d up. Except for the travel time itself, the ride home in the afternoon was rather pleasant.
I did this for six weeks until my car was repaired. There was only once incident the entire time. I can laugh at it now. I couldn’t at the time. My funky legs gave out on my just as I was getting off of the bus at the downtown station to make my connection with the R5 going home from work. I tumbled off the bus onto the ground. People came from EVERYWHERE, the bus driver came to my aid, total strangers came to my aid, and my only thought was all these people are thinking I’m a drunk from the homeless shelter next door. After sitting on a bench for a few minutes assuring everyone that I was going to be OK … that I was totally sober … and the feeling came back in my legs, I got up and STILL made my connection with the R5 and got home safely.
9:11 PM
I sold my car and started riding the bus about 7 years ago making us a one car family. Have saved tons of money on gas, tires, repairs and insurance. Parking alone would cost me over a thousand dollars a year and my bus tickets are only $388.00 for the entire year. The bus drivers and other passangers have always been helpful and I am still happy with my decision.
4:27 PM
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