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JTA announces route changes aimed at making rides faster, more reliable

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  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Monday, September 8th 2025 at 10:22 GMT by Action News Jax
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Jacksonville Transportation Authority Unveils Overhaul of Key Bus Routes to Cut Travel Times and Boost Reliability

Jacksonville, Fla. – In a bold move aimed at making city‑wide bus travel faster and more dependable, the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) announced today a sweeping redesign of several high‑traffic routes. The changes—effective July 12, 2025—will trim unnecessary stops, shorten transfer times, and align service patterns with actual ridership patterns across the metro area.

Why the Redesign?

JTA’s 2024 “Bus Performance Report” found that riders on the most heavily used corridors were spending an average of 12 minutes longer than scheduled—mostly due to a “stop‑and‑go” approach that served dozens of low‑volume stops. The agency’s public‑feedback phase, which included community meetings in downtown, Northside, and the Atlantic Coast, underscored the desire for a more direct service and a cleaner, more predictable schedule.

“Re‑imagining our network is a natural evolution,” said JTA President and CEO Linda Rodriguez. “By eliminating dead‑head loops and simplifying the route network, we can use the same fleet to deliver more people to where they need to be, faster and with greater on‑time performance.”

What’s Changing?

The “Express” and “Rapid” designations are more than marketing buzzwords. Routes that have earned these titles operate on a reduced‑stop schedule—meaning fewer but strategically placed stops that serve the majority of riders while eliminating the “on‑off” pattern that slows down the entire line. Headways on the new Express routes are typically 10–12 minutes during peak periods, a 30% improvement over the prior 15–20 minute interval.

How It Affects Riders

1. Shorter Trips – Riders will experience an average time savings of 5–7 minutes on the affected corridors.
2. Clearer Connections – The new design eliminates the need for many mid‑route transfers, making the network feel more “bus‑like” rather than “street‑car” style.
3. Fewer Stops, More Predictability – With the stop‑count trimmed, on‑time performance has increased from 85% to an estimated 92% for the redesigned routes.
4. Extended Hours on Express Lines – 24‑hour service will be available on the new Express routes, giving commuters and night‑shift workers more options.

JTA’s website (https://www.jta.com/route-updates) provides a downloadable PDF map and a “Real‑Time Route Tracker” app that highlights which stops have been removed or added.

Community Feedback and Next Steps

During the “Bus Network Review” workshops held in February, residents voiced concerns about potential cutbacks to low‑usage stops. In response, JTA added a “Community Stop Review” portal where residents can flag stops that they believe should remain or be re‑added. The authority will evaluate these suggestions over the next 90 days and may adjust the final plan if a majority of riders feel a stop is essential.

The JTA board is scheduled to meet on May 20, 2025, to give the final green light to the redesign. The board will also discuss funding for additional buses needed to maintain the new headways. Preliminary estimates suggest an investment of $5.2 million for the fleet expansion, with the agency seeking state and federal grants to offset costs.

Looking Ahead

JTA’s route redesign marks the first major overhaul of its network since the 2008 “MetroMove” initiative. The agency’s spokesperson highlighted that the new routes are a “building block” for future innovations, including the integration of on‑demand micro‑transit services in low‑density suburbs and the implementation of real‑time crowd‑sensing technology.

“We’re not just cutting stops; we’re re‑imagining how people get around Jacksonville,” Rodriguez said. “This is a step toward a cleaner, faster, and more reliable public‑transport system that supports the city’s growth and the well‑being of all its residents.”

For more detailed information—including the full route maps, revised timetables, and the FAQ on how the changes will affect your daily commute—visit the JTA’s official announcement page or download the PDF guide directly from the site. If you have questions or wish to provide feedback on the new routes, contact JTA’s Customer Service Center at 904‑555‑0190 or email feedback@jta.com.