The Jacksonville Transportation Authority celebrated the launch of NAVI, which stands for Neighborhood Autonomous Vehicle Innovation. NAVI will be the first public transportation service powered by autonomous vehicles (AVs) in the United States. Service began on Monday, June 30 in Downtown Jacksonville.
NAVI will operate Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. along the 3.5-mile Bay Street Innovation Corridor – spanning from Pearl Street to EverBank Stadium. Bay Street is a critical artery connecting residential areas through the urban business core to the Sports & Entertainment District.
As NAVI begins operations, passenger feedback is essential. 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.
“Jacksonville is making history in Florida and the nation by fully deploying the first revenue service autonomous vehicle for public transportation,” said JTA CEO Nat Ford. “Shared mobility will help solve transportation challenges and build communities by maximizing independence and improving accessibility. Today, we are putting another stake in the ground that makes Jacksonville a great city and leader in North America.”
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. NAVI is complimentary for all riders through September 30, 2025. To meet Buy America and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, the NAVI service will initially use a customized fleet of 14 electric Ford e-Transit vehicles integrated with Oxa’s automated driving system (ADS). The vehicle seats up to 9 passengers with ADA capability. The JTA plans to incorporate the HOLON autonomous shuttle once the vehicles become available as early as 2027. “I am proud that our great city is implementing new technology to improve quality of life for everyone who calls Jacksonville home,” said JTA Board of Directors Vice Chair Aundra Wallace.
Over the next 10 years, the JTA will complete phases 2 and 3 of the Ultimate Urban Circulator (U2C). These phases plan to convert the Skyway into an elevated roadway for AVs to connect the urban core with medical, education, business, and residential destinations in Springfield, Brooklyn, Riverside, and San Marco.
To learn more, visit www.jtafla.com/transit-services/navi/. Shown at the podium