Five new buses that have a higher duty rating and a new design are joining the fleet for Jacksonville Transit.
With more than 131,500 passengers in the last fiscal year, Jacksonville Transit provides services to City residents in major neighborhoods and commercial areas. Additionally, special services are provided to Camp Lejeune and the Marine Corps Air Station New River.
The new buses are the fifth generation for the system which turned 11 in November. More than 400,000 miles are driven each year by Jacksonville Transit and the new buses will begin serving passengers Tuesday, January 22, 2019.
Transit riders can expect a quieter and comfortable ride on the new buses, which are also more durable and easier to maintain. They are 30-passenger buses, each with two stations for mobility devices such as wheelchairs and lifts. Each has bicycle racks in the front of the bus. Many passengers bring their bikes so that they may ride to other locations after departing the bus.
The new design features the City’s signature blue over the hood and cab and continues the swoop design that began with the 2007 buses. Those and subsequent buses were primarily white, while the new buses have a strong blue presence.
Each bus cost about $133,000 with the City only paying about 10% of that cost, the remaining amount coming from federal and state support.
The arrival of the new buses allows some current buses to be used as back-up and others to relieve buses in high use.
