Big news for daily commuters and local travelers: The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) has announced that the St. Johns River Ferry Service will be back in business starting today. The ferry had been out of commission since May 4, due to an incident that involved a collision with the boarding ramp at Mayport Landing.

The sudden closure took many by surprise and has undoubtedly been more than a minor inconvenience. However, there may be a silver lining to this temporary halt. The JTA managed not only to fix the recent mishap but also to proactively perform most of the Coast Guard required maintenance originally set for next year. In a statement obtained by JTA's press release, they highlighted that this foresight is "expected to greatly reduce the amount of time needed for that scheduled maintenance."

This isn’t the first time the ferry service has faced hurdles. Over the years, it has seen its share of challenges, from budget cuts to mechanical failures. But each time, it somehow manages to stay afloat—figuratively speaking, of course. The JTA’s recent maneuvers might just save the public from future disruption and inconvenience. It's a strategic move that's likely to be appreciated by the ferry’s frequent riders.

With the service resuming ahead of schedule, regular users of the ferry can take a breath of relief. Not only will they be able to once again rely on the convenience the ferry provides, but they can also rest easy knowing that it should be smooth sailing—at least maintenance-wise—for the foreseeable future.