(Jacksonville, FL – June 30, 2026) The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) today marked the one-year anniversary of NAVI (Neighborhood Autonomous Vehicle Innovation), the nation’s first permanent autonomous public transportation service operating in revenue service.

During its first year of operation, NAVI has transported over 15,200 passengers and traveled more than 61,000 miles in autonomous mode without a safety incident caused by the autonomous driving system. The service carried 989 riders in May 2026 alone, reflecting growing public adoption and confidence in autonomous transportation.

Launched on June 30, 2025, NAVI has moved autonomous vehicle technology beyond limited demonstrations and pilot projects into daily public transportation operations. As the first phase of the JTA’s Ultimate Urban Circulator (U²C) program, NAVI has demonstrated how autonomous vehicles can safely and reliably serve residents, workers, and visitors in an urban environment.

“As the nation’s first permanent autonomous vehicle public transit service, NAVI represents a major milestone in the evolution of public transportation. One year ago, the JTA transformed a bold vision into reality, launching a service that is helping shape the future of mobility not only in Jacksonville, but across the United States,” said Nat Ford, CEO of the JTA. “Since launch, NAVI has completed over 15,200 passenger trips and traveled more than 61,000 autonomous miles, all while maintaining an exceptional safety record with no safety incidents caused by the autonomous system. These results demonstrate that autonomous mobility is no longer a concept of the future—it is delivering real-world transportation solutions today. As we continue advancing the Ultimate Urban Circulator program, Jacksonville remains at the forefront of innovation, helping shape the next generation of safe, accessible, and scalable public transportation for communities across the country. What started as a bold idea has become a national model. The lessons we are learning in Jacksonville are helping define how autonomous technology can be safely integrated into public transportation systems throughout the United States.”

Throughout its first year, NAVI successfully navigated real-world operating conditions, including major special events, roadway construction, changing traffic patterns, and more than 80 route detours while maintaining reliable service for customers. The service has also attracted transportation leaders, policymakers, technology innovators, and international delegations seeking to learn from Jacksonville’s experience deploying autonomous mobility at scale.

As communities across the country evaluate the future of transportation, Jacksonville has emerged as a national proving ground for autonomous public transit, supported by the JTA’s state-of-the-art Autonomous Innovation Center and a growing ecosystem of public and private partners advancing next-generation mobility solutions.

Gallery of photos: https://brandfolder.com/s/tkxf54mwf4w957btgc59k

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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:

Lynn Opperman
AVP – Marketing, Communications, and Customer Experience
Jacksonville Transportation Authority
lopperman@jtafla.com
(904) 676-7225