JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Transit Authority delayed a vote to increase the fare for the Connexion Plus service that supports people with disabilities after community pushback.
The vote will be delayed until April.
People who rely on the service packed Thursday’s JTA board meeting to express their concerns about the price hike and how it would affect their livelihood.
If passed, Connexion Plus would introduce a $10 base charge for the first 8 miles, $3.50 per mile thereafter, and a cap of 40 trips per month. The current fare is $6 for the first 15 miles and $2 per mile thereafter.
“This is a service we rely on,” Rachel K. said. “We don’t have the option to get into a car. With this rate hike, we either eat that costs, or we look at changing jobs or losing our job.”
Brittany Brearly was another person who was worried about the increase as well.
“I don’t know if I can afford it. The agency we work for and represent have clients who want to be employed who are also disabled in some capacity, who are now thinking they can’t afford getting to and from work,” she said.
City councilman Rory Diamond sparked controversy over the fare hike when he posted the following statement on Facebook: “Jacksonville Transportation Authority to TRIPLE the cost to fully disabled people in Jax (no use of arms and legs) to get to school, work, doctor to save $3 million.”
JTA CEO Nat Ford pushed back against Diamond’s claim, calling it misinformation.
He said the proposed rate changes were necessary due to rising operational costs.
“Technology is advanced. More vehicle. More operators, so that premium service is at its cost, we need to more properly price the fair for that service if our customers desire that type of comfort and luxury,” Ford said. “That’s the reason it’s going up, but conversely, we’re dropping the base connection price fair from three dollars to two dollars, and that is part of this better together campaign where we’re dropping all the JTA fairs with the exception of Connexion Plus.”
News4JAX reached out to Diamond about his comment, but did not immediately hear back.
The new prices will begin on Feb. 1.
For more information about the fare modifications, visit JTA’s website at jtafla.com.