Jacksonville Skyway

Jacksonville Skyway

Locale	Jacksonville, FL
Transit type	People mover
Began operation	1989
System length	2.5 mi (4.0 km)
No. of lines	2
No. of stations	8
Daily ridership	2,300 [1]
Operator	Jacksonville Transportation Authority

Two-car Skyway train between Central and Hemming Plaza during off-peak hours

Looking south at the south end of the Acosta Bridge, with the Jacksonville Skyway in the median.

The Jacksonville Skyway is a people mover system in Jacksonville, Florida, operated by the Jacksonville Transportation Authority. The track is 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) long and connects the two halves of downtown Jacksonville, which are separated by the St. Johns River. Each train can have from two to six cars. The trains travel at up to 35 miles (56 kilometers) per hour and cross the St. Johns via the Acosta Bridge.

History

The idea of a "people mover" in Jacksonville 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.[2] The second phase and third phases, including the river crossing, were completed by November 1, 2000.

Conflicts

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

According to figures from the Jacksonville Transportation Authority, average weekday ridership in 2002 was 2,871, about 5% above the previous year's figure. The agency's goal was 5,000 average weekday riders by 2005.

Station listing

System map

All trains:

• 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

See also

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

External links

• Official site