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CLAY COUNTY – It may not seem like it is now, but public transportation was what brought Clay County to prominence in Northeast Florida. During the "hotel era" thousands of residents traveled by train and ferry to Green Cove Springs. 

The invention of the car and the atomized, individualized transportation that followed led to the rise of suburban growth in our county – mostly surrounding Jacksonville, which is already considered the largest contiguous U.S. city by size. 

Over half of Clay County workers commute to another county, the highest rate of any county in Florida. As a result, our county's typical commute lasts 33 minutes on average.

Cars have been seen historically as a symbol of freedom. Today, individual car ownership is realistically an obligation. Less than 1% of county residents utilize public transportation. Less than 10% of county residents carpool. Many jobs only accept applicants who have reliable transportation.

Cities such as New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Atlanta enjoy centralized metro lines that transport citizens around town. While Clay County doesn't have a sprawling underground metro like that, the Jacksonville Transportation Authority offers four fairly reliable bus lines to get you where you need to go. 

This guide is for those burdened by car payments, those with their car in the shop, and those who hate being behind the wheel during rush hour traffic. Each citizen who takes advantage of public transportation means one less driver on the roads.

Clay Community Transportation offers transportation services Monday through Friday from 6 a.m.-7 p.m. 

For those not within walking distance of the lines, JTA offers Flex Service, which allows for passenger pick-ups (route deviations) as time is available in the schedule for a $1 deviation fee a pick-up, a rider. 

If you want to use the CCT service and are not near a designated stop, call and speak with a reservationist about scheduling a convenient pick-up from your location at (904) 284-5977.

You can also book Clay Community Transportation rides directly from the My JTA App, which allows you to book your trip around Clay County quickly and easily can book Clay Community Transportation rides directly from the My JTA App using CCT Lines and Flex Routes. 

Clay Blue Line is the largest route and the central artery of Clay Community Transportation. It stretches from NAS Jacksonville to the north and the Clay County Fairgrounds outside Green Cove Springs to the south. The route passes through Orange Park and Fleming Island. 

Going northbound, the route makes stops at Pier Station, Clay County Health Department, Clay County Courthouse, Challenge Enterprises, St. Johns Landing, Fleming Island, Middleburg VA Clinic, St. Johns River State College, Orange Park Mall, Orange Park Kennel Club, Orange Park Library, Orange Park Medical Center, loops back to Orange Park Mall again and the circuit ends at NAS Jacksonville. 

The schedule can be found at jtafla.com/ride-jta/regional-services/clay-community-transportation/clay-blue-line/.

Clay Red Line connects Middleburg with Orange Park. 

Going northbound, the route makes stops at Middleburg Bluff Apartments, Blanding & C.R. 215, Ascension St. Vincent's, Winn-Dixie (Knight Boxx Road), Middleburg VA Clinic, Blanding & Filmore, Orange Park Mall, Orange Park Library, HCA Florida Orange Hospital. Then it loops back around to Orange Park Mall again. 

The schedule can be found at jtafla.com/ride-jta/regional-services/clay-community-transportation/clay-red-line/.

Clay Green Line connects Fleming Island, Green Cove Springs, Penney Farms and Keystone Heights.

Going northbound, the route makes stops at Keystone Heights, Penney Farms, Clayton & Mildred Revels Senior Center and Middleburg VA Clinic.

The schedule can be found at jtafla.com/ride-jta/regional-services/clay-community-transportation/clay-green-line/.

Clay Magenta Line makes two round trips between Keystone Heights Senior Center and Gainesville.

The route is useful for Clay County residents who need to visit UF Health Shands Hospital or Malcolm Randall VA Medical Center. Alternatively, visiting Keystone Heights is useful for those living in Gainesville. 

The schedule can be found at jtafla.com/ride-jta/regional-services/clay-community-transportation/clay-magenta-line/.

Conclusion

The four JTA lines leave northbound and southbound at specific times, Monday through Friday. To avoid missing your bus, try to arrive 15 minutes early. 

Orange Park Mall is a connector for Clay Red and Blue lines.  Clay County Park-n-Ride is a connector for Clay Blue and Green lines. Keystone Heights is a connector for Clay Green and Magenta lines. 

While using Clay Community Transportation may require some planning, two $1 deviation fees (for going out and coming back) are much cheaper than a $20 Uber.