JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville is accelerating its role in transportation innovation, launching driverless shuttles downtown and preparing for a new electric vehicle manufacturing hub. Nathaniel Ford, CEO of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA), sat down with This Week in Jacksonville host Kent Justice to share what’s happening and what’s coming next.
Back on June 30, Jacksonville launched NAVI (Neighborhood Autonomous Vehicle Transit Service) — the first big autonomous public transit system in the U.S.
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Fourteen driverless vehicles cover a 3.2-mile route from downtown to the sports complex. Ford said the launch has drawn attention from all over the world and is just the start of something much bigger.
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“NAVI was the first autonomous vehicle public transportation network of scale in the United States for revenue operations,” Ford explained. He added that NAVI helps solve the tricky “first and last mile” problem — getting people to and from transit stops in areas where buses don’t work so well.
Right now, about 100 people ride NAVI each day, which is less than the 280 riders projected for 2035. Ford said that’s normal when you’re building transit ahead of new development.
“I think it’s a smart investment for the future,” he said, even with some early criticism.
But Jacksonville isn’t just using these vehicles — it’s going to build them too. Holon USA is setting up a manufacturing plant on the city’s north side, expected to bring up to 800 jobs and nearly $2 billion in economic impact over the next decade. JTA and Holon are already working closely together, sharing space and collaborating on research.
Ford also talked about training local talent, teaming up with colleges to prepare technicians for this new technology. Looking ahead, he sees a mix of buses, streetcars, light rail, and autonomous shuttles making it easier to get around as Jacksonville grows.
You can hear more from Ford and get the full scoop on Jacksonville’s transportation future. Catch the full interview on This Week in Jacksonville, Sunday at 9 a.m. on News4JAX.