Gainesville Has Made A Real Leap In Big-City Panache…read more
It is one man's opinion that academic credentials aside, Gainesville was a mecca for good ol' boys and that sort of regional culture. And as much as the city and university has to offer, here we are, only two hours away from Orlando and Tampa, but yet they seem to be removed from the collective Gainesville consciousness. I think that is in part, like the old adage, "you can't get there from here."
That has changed with the Florida Jitney. While their service is exceptional, it is also what the Florida Jitney represents. They provide for the 200,000 people in this region, a stylish, modern, top of the line, commuter shuttle that finally for the first time in all of my years here, truly offers a viable transportation option to the dreaded automobile.
While it is true that I love many things European, I am not a Europhile, nor a critic of all things American. But I do appreciate the European approach to urban planning and the overwhelming support and approval of public transit. This is what the Florida Jitney reminds me of. Almost with the snap of a finger I can board the Jitney and head into Orlando for a night around Thornton Park or the Mall at Millenia. This says nothing of how convenient and reasonably priced it is to take the Florida Jitney to the Orlando Airport which I'll do when I return to Philly and then on to Paris for the summer.
I am actually writing this on board its "Central Florida Express." Through the tinted windows the sun is setting, the domed lights have come on and I am using my laptop with the Jitney's satellite internet. I stress the satellite part of it, because people who use the cellular connectivity to their Blackberries will be amazed with how fast the Jitney internet is! I connected about an hour ago and haven't been thrown off once. And the truth of it is, other such wifi services are often slow and clunky.
So , what else can I tell you that makes this trip so unique. I think the satellite televisions are pretty cool. When I see other people watching the small screen in their SUV's you know it must be a DVD. But on the Jitney, it is live satellite programming. People flying out wanted to see the Weather Channel. Most people either search or watch CNN or MSNBC. There is no shortage of options; the Travel Assistant informed me there are over 70 channels.
The Florida Jitney has an on-board Travel Assistant. She is there to get you to your seat, help with your bags (I usually just have a carry on) but best of all, after you are settled in, she will return to take your drink and food order. When she first approached me I asked her to repeat herself as it took me by surprise. They don't serve alcoholic beverages though I understand that is in the works. For now, there's a whole list of sodas, waters, juices and other drinks like Vitamin Water and Gatorade. Then she returns with whatever snack of choice someone selects. Yesterday morning, I took the cheese danish (and it was pretty good! not the vending machine kind!) and today I went with the big cookies, white chocolate macadamia nut and oatmeal-raisin.
We just made the Wildwood stop and a couple got off to go to Inverness. It appeared they were actually sleeping and the Assistant gently, respectfully nudged them awake. No worries about missing your stop.
And so it goes with the Florida Jitney. An almost luxurious way to travel. And from my perspective, uncommonly affordable. My ticket came out to 45 or 47 dollars. It would literally cost me more to drive this route (gas, tolls, parking, wear and tear) let alone the hassle, fighting off the sleepies, and wasting these hours I could be enjoying myself.
For this review, I asked the Travel Assistant and was told of their impressive expansion plans. Apparently in time, the Florida Jitney will operate from one end of the state to the other! Great news for residents and visitors alike.
What would be the biggest drawback about the Florida Jitney? If like some airlines in the past, they grow too fast, service suffers and the entire business fails as a result. This company could very well change the way we travel in FLA. Don't blow it.
See my next review on Central Florida Spas.