If your work schedule doesn’t vary much and you live and work near a public transit stop, transit could become your transportation of choice or a great alternative if your vehicle is in the shop.

Benefits of Using Public Transit

• Cuts your monthly commute costs, enabling you to save money. Use the Commute Savings Calculator to see how much money you can save by using public transit even one to two days a week.
• It’s dependable and it enables you to relax while riding to work. You can enjoy a cup of coffee (make sure it’s in a container with a lid) and a book or the newspaper while someone else drives.
• You could become eligible to receive the federal government’s commuter tax benefit of up to $115 per month (increases to a maximum of $120 in January 2009).
• If your employer pays for your bus pass and registers with JTA as a Commuter Choice Employer you could become eligible for the Jacksonville Transportation Authority’s Guaranteed Ride Home Program. Ask your employer to contact JTA for more information.
• Helps decrease traffic congestion and reduces the effect of greenhouse gas emissions.

Transit Options

The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) manages most public transit services in our area. JTA operates bus service throughout Duval County, with shuttle service connecting to Baker, Clay and Putnam Counties. JTA also offers downtown and beaches Trolley service, the Skyway automated transit system, which serves the North and Southbank area, and Park and Ride Commuter lots.

The Sunshine Bus Company, a division of the St. Johns County Council on Aging, operates in St. Johns County from St. Augustine to connections with the JTA bus system in Jacksonville Beach.