JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday to celebrate the launch of the nation’s first public driverless transportation service, the Jacksonville Transportation Authority said people can begin accessing the service on Monday.
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The Neighborhood Autonomous Vehicle Innovation, otherwise known as NAVI, will operate Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. along the 3.5-mile Bay Street Innovation Corridor, which spans from Pearl Street to EverBank Stadium.
“It’s about much more than our downtown being home to the nation’s first permanent public autonomous vehicle service,” said Aundra Wallace, vice chair of the JTA Board of Directors. “Every project that JTA undertakes is driven by our vision to create a thriving and connected Northeast Florida through seamless mobility solutions.”
According to JTA, the vehicles will stop at 12 designated stations, improving connectivity to attractions like the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts, the Jacksonville Naval Museum, The Florida Theatre, sports venues, hotels, and more than 35 dining outlets.
The service will be complimentary for all riders through Sept. 30. After that, it will cost $1.75 per passenger.
The vehicles use 10 cameras, radar, and satellite technology, and JTA says they react faster than human drivers, but there will be an attendant inside each vehicle just in case.
“As NAVI begins operations, passenger feedback is essential,” JTA added. “Riders are encouraged to complete a brief survey following their ride, which will inform updates and service enhancements as the JTA and its partners continue to refine and expand this groundbreaking mobility solution.”
NAVI is part of JTA’s Ultimate Urban Circulator system, a 10-year plan that will modernize public transportation around the expanded Downtown area that will include Springfield, Riverside and San Marco, the JDR reports.
It is the nation’s first permanent public autonomous vehicle service, as other driverless ride services, like Tesla’s Robotaxi and Google’s Waymo, are private enterprises.
“Shared mobility will help solve transportation challenges and build communities by maximizing independence and improving accessibility,” said JTA CEO Nat Ford. “Today, we are putting another stake in the ground that makes Jacksonville a great city and leader in North America.”
According to the transportation agency, the NAVI service will initially use a customized fleet of 14 electric Ford e-Transit vehicles integrated with an automated driving system (ADS).
The vehicles will seat up to nine passengers with ADA capability.
