Mayor Donna Deegan says the Jacksonville Transportation Authority is facing a “huge crisis.”
The mayor’s first clear priority? “Absolutely” protecting the Emerald Trail’s funding and making sure people who have invested in areas along the trail “remain whole.”
I can think of a few other candidates for that list.
JTA plans to eliminate up to 194 positions. One laid-off employee told News4Jax, workers felt “very hurt and blindsided.” The employee said colleagues were handed severance packets, had their IDs taken and were escorted out of headquarters.
Meanwhile, riders face reduced bus service as JTA tries to work through a projected budget shortfall of more than $32 million. NAVI, the driverless bus plan, is scheduled to pause at year’s end and Skyway passenger service is set to stop in November.
Yet when Deegan spoke of protecting people who had invested along the Emerald Trail, I couldn’t help wondering: Who’s making JTA’s employees and riders whole?
The Skyway saga has managed to claim one more casualty: Skyway Social.
Yes, that was a real thing:
Photo:Facebook.com
The Skyway Social was a ticketed party held on Skyway platforms with train cars shuttling attendees back and forth. Organizers canceled this year’s October event because the full Skyway service wouldn’t be available.
Partygoers get refunds. JTA employees get pink slips. Riders get reduced service and taxpayers get the bill.
