JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville is officially home to the nation’s first public driverless transit service, and it’s already turning heads.
The Jacksonville Transportation Authority’s new Neighborhood Autonomous Vehicle Innovation, or NAVI, began operating Monday along a 3.5-mile stretch of downtown known as the Bay Street Innovation Corridor.
RELATED | JTA opens Autonomous Innovation Center downtown with 14 Holon vehicles already approved for purchase
The free-to-ride service runs weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. with stops at 12 stations between Pearl Street and EverBank Stadium, connecting riders to dozens of downtown restaurants, venues, and attractions.
While the autonomous shuttles may be a glimpse into the future of urban transportation, the technology comes at a steep cost.
The NAVI program is part of a $65 million project, with $12.5 million coming from a federal BUILD grant, $13 million from the state, and $39.5 million in local funds.
Each NAVI vehicle costs about $390,000. JTA has purchased 14 vehicles, totaling more than $5.5 million, and eight of them are currently in operation.
News4JAX rode the route on launch day and spoke with some of the first passengers, including curious families, downtown workers, and even the CEO of the company behind the technology, Joe Moye of Beep Inc.
“As you can see, we’re operating in full autonomous mode,” Moye said. “We do have an attendant on board, likely for the first year, and that’s kind of part of the transition as these vehicles come into service. You know, there’s an acclimation period for the riders. People can be apprehensive about, how does this technology work?”
The AI-powered vehicles can recognize new obstacles and adjust routes accordingly. During the ride, one shuttle braked abruptly in response to new construction cones, illustrating how the system is still learning and adapting in real-time.
Passengers like Edmund Worrell said the ride was both educational and fun.
“I’m having a ball right now,” Worrell said, who was riding the shuttle alongside Moye. “It’s like a twofer, I’m learning a lot and getting where I need to go.”
The 3.5-mile ride around downtown took roughly 15–20 minutes to complete, with smooth stretches and a few jerky stops. Overall, passengers seemed excited about the service and the future it represents.
Joshua took his two children to check out the shuttle on its opening day. They admitted to being a little bit nervous but excited for the driverless ride.
“It’s like, you can learn where you’re going as you’re looking at all of our palm trees and our street art behind you, it’s actually, I like it,” his daughter said.
“I feel real safe and comfortable,” Joshua said.
The NAVI shuttles are free to ride through Sept. 30. Starting in October, the fare will be $1.75 per passenger.
For more details, stop maps, and hours of operation, visit JTA’s website.