(Jacksonville, FL – February 26, 2026) Today, the Jacksonville Transportation Authority Board of Directors approved a comprehensive operations budget amendment that includes a revised fare structure for Connexion Plus while adjusting other operational and administrative expenses to stabilize the budget through the remainder of the fiscal year ending September 30th.

The JTA Board approved the new Connexion Plus rate adjustment after gathering community feedback and consensus to maintain the premium, private-ride Connexion Plus service. The rates approved on Thursday are the result of several working and collaborative meetings with community partners, advocates, city officials and nonprofit executives to reach a mutually agreeable solution that sustains the Connexion Plus service.

The new fare structure adopted for Connexion Plus begins on April 2, 2026 for the remainder of the fiscal year and will be $10 for the first 12 miles and $2.50 per mile thereafter without limit to the number of monthly trips. Seventy-five percent of Connexion Plus customers travel 12 miles or less per trip.

“We couldn’t have done it without the dedication and collaboration of these advisory committee leaders,” JTA CEO Nat Ford said.

As part of the overall budget adjustments, the JTA Board approved $14.2 million in expense reductions, changes that became necessary due to sales tax revenues coming in nearly $11 million lower than projected by year end. Sales tax revenue makes up more than half of the JTA’s operational revenue budget. The JTA has had a budget surplus on sales tax projections 11 of the last 13 years. This year, sales tax revenue is trending lower than anticipated.

The expense reductions include a 15% salary cut for senior leaders and a reduction of administrative positions. Other expense reductions include eliminating some professional service contracts, renegotiating other contracts and bringing some technology services in-house.

“The JTA is committed to ensuring financial stability across the agency, while maintaining the services we provide for this community,” JTA CEO Nat Ford said. “The adjustments made today, while difficult, are necessary to ensure we end this year with a balanced budget while preserving the transportation services that citizens of Northeast Florida rely on each and every day.”

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About the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA)
The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) is an independent state agency serving Jacksonville, Florida, and Northeast Florida with multi-modal responsibilities. The JTA provides varied mass public transit services and builds roads, bridges, and other infrastructure to enhance mobility in Jacksonville. Public transportation services include BRT and regular bus service, Neighborhood Autonomous Vehicle Innovation (NAVI), paratransit, the St. Johns River Ferry, Skyway APM, and other mobility and on-demand services in Duval, Clay, Nassau, and St. Johns counties. To learn more, visit www.jtafla.com.

Media Contact:
For media inquiries, please contact:

Taniel Koushakjian
Director of Communications
Jacksonville Transportation Authority
tk@jtafla.com
(904) 632-5237