Riders of a JTA neighborhood shuttle in Mandarin are left seeking new ways to commute Monday. Community Shuttle Line 304 made its last trips Friday, after JTA representatives say poor ridership led to the decision to cut the door-to-door line which could be reserved by riders on request.
Julia Fortune, a 74- year old Mandarin resident, said the news of the canceled transit option blindsided her.
"The shuttle driver told me but I didn't know until all the plans were made, until they had firmly decided to stop the route," Fortune said. "I rode the shuttle four times last week to get my meds, to get my groceries, and to get my haircut."
The Mandarin shuttle is one of 11 community shuttles in Jacksonville according to JTA's website.
Fortune said she's been using public transit for a decade, and for the first time is without access to a route. She says she is physically unable to walk or cart her groceries to the closest stops on Old St. Augustine Rd. or San Jose Blvd.
She praised the shuttle's curbside service and said the courteous drivers allowed her to maintain her independence. "The drivers would do anything for you, they became a part of your family," Fortune said tearfully. "[Now] it's gone."
JTA public relations manager Leigh Anne Rassler said the Mandarin zone shuttle averaged 16 trips a day while other community bus routes average 60-70 trips. Rassler also calculated the shuttle cost to JTA at $41.80 per passenger mile to operate.
"It's not cost effective to run it," Rassler said. "We're continuing to look at other alternatives."
Though JTA says a public hearing and community engagement team members gave residents prior notice of the cancelation, Fortune believes the notice failed to reach those who depended on the service.
"I'm going to have to rely on friends and family now and I don't want to be a burden on anyone, I want to be independent," said Fortune. "Independent means you get your own rides, you get to the store, you get the things you need."
Senior citizens ride the shuttle for $1 per trip. Fortune said a taxi ride the same distance would be too costly, and using Uber is out of the question for her.
"I don't have a smartphone, I don't think any of us old, old people do," she said. "We may be old, but we still have spunk in us."
Fortune says she has been in contact with JTA's customer service representatives about this issue for weeks.
Rassler recommends any riders needing help finding a new route contact JTA at 630-3100.
Note: An earlier version of this article stated the cost to operate the shuttle was $41.80 per mile. This has been updated to reflect the cost is per 'passenger mile' which is based on how many miles each passenger in the vehicle travels.
