Nassau County in northeast Florida has a population of around 88,000 and many rural communities. One of Nassau County’s main attractions, Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, was heralded as a favorite destination to reach by public transit during National RTAP’s 2019 Rural Transit Day Twitter Chat. NassauTRANSIT is the county’s transit service. Transportation Director Mike Hays often refers to Nassau as “A Tale of At Least Two Counties” as there are areas throughout the county that could not be more different. “The beach and most of Amelia Island isn’t a rural area,” says Hays. “But go just a few miles over the bridge and you’re in the towns of Callahan and Hilliard which are very rural.” Luckily for residents of those towns and other connected areas, NassauTRANSIT provides public transit across the county for everyone to enjoy “island life” fun in the sun.
Locals and visitors alike have many options. Systemwide, NassauTRANSIT operates about twenty flex routes (deviating 1/2 mile), six of which travel into Fernandina Beach. Once there, passengers can hop-on and hop-off the Island Hopper which makes six loops Thursday-Monday around the northern half of Amelia Island including along the beach. Passengers just gather their beach toys and wave-down the “Hopperator” (the friendly Island Hopper operator, of course) anywhere along the route, hence the tagline “Catch the Wave.” The Island Hopper fare is only $1.00 except on Fridays, because every Friday is a “Fare Free Friday”.
For service beyond Nassau County, the agency provides scheduled county-wide transit service to and from downtown Jacksonville. In partnership with the Jacksonville Transportation Authority, Nassau Express Select is an express commuter transit service targeted for passengers who work in Jacksonville (Duval County). Passengers don’t have to use it for commuting; they can take it for any purpose. There are also regional connections to the transit systems in four more counties in Northeast Florida, as well as with Jacksonville International Airport. “All of our regional systems, some rural and some urban, collaborate closely and our schedules are well-coordinated,” explains Hays.
All of NassauTRANSIT’s flex services are only $1.00 per boarding with no charge for transfers. Passengers can also purchase multiple rides in advance with discounted prices using the NassPASS®. The fare for the regional Nassau Express Select commuter service is $3.00 per ride, and discounted 1-day and 30-day passes are available. The agency also provides paratransit service from 4:00 AM to 7:00 PM Monday-Friday.
NassauTRANSIT has been providing area transportation since 1984 when Nassau County Council on Aging, the agency’s “parent” company, began paratransit service by taking local seniors to the senior center. Public transit service started in 2011 and ridership has grown to almost 11,000 trips per year including the Island Hopper.
Transit operations and facilities are funded through several state and federal sources, in addition to funds from the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners, the City of Fernandina Beach, and donations from local organizations and private donors. “We serve a rural county where people often just come in the door, tell us they appreciate what we do, and donate a few dollars over the counter,” explains Hays. They also have a Bus Sponsorship Program where local businesses can support a particular bus route.
The agency gives back to the community too and participates in the Transportation Disadvantaged Local Coordinating Board. NassauTRANSIT’s Public Transportation Partner program provides bus vouchers to clients of the Salvation Army Hope House, Barnabas Center, Baptist Medical Center Nassau, Family Support Services of North Florida and other organizations. The vouchers, purchased by these transportation partners and issued to their clients, cover the fares for both public transit and paratransit rides. NassauTRANSIT also transports students to the McArthur Family YMCA’s After School Program and to Project Search, a post-secondary school job-skills program operated by Nassau County Schools District.
NassauTRANSIT’s biggest single engagement in public transportation is for the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival held each May. Here thousands of visitors come from around the world to Fernandina Beach for three days and evenings of outdoor fun and to celebrate the city’s history as the birthplace of the shrimping industry. The attraction of Amelia Island is much more than the beaches. Throughout the year, residents from across Nassau and the nation use NassauTRANSIT to visit the Greenway, the historic district, art museums, and much more. All of the agency’s vehicles are equipped with wheelchair lifts or ramps and many have bike racks allowing cyclists to ride to their ultimate destinations.
“Rural public transit is the most challenging and frustrating, and yet rewarding and gratifying work I’ve ever done. There’s just nothing else like it,” exclaims Hays.
This article was published by the National Rural Transit Assistance Program (RTAP).
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