(Jacksonville, FL – August 27, 2024) If you happen to be in Jacksonville’s Brooklyn neighborhood during the next two months, you can try out public transit autonomous vehicle service for free. Starting today, August 27, another public trial of Autonomous Vehicle technology will provide the opportunity for the community to experience this technology and provide valuable feedback.
Passengers will be able to ride among popular destinations throughout Brooklyn between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. The service is scheduled to run through October 25, and Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) wants travelers to report on their experiences.
"This is such a wonderful opportunity for Jacksonville residents and visitors to experience AVs being used as part of a public transportation system,” said JTA CEO Nat Ford, “Our goal is to provide safe, efficient and convenient travel for our customers. So, we want people to try it, and to tell us what they think."
Although this is not the same vehicle that will be deployed in June, it’s a great opportunity for the community to engage and experience AV technology and provide the JTA with valuable feedback. The EV Star multi-utility zero-emissions vehicles being used on the route will feature 14 seats and two wheelchair locking points. A JTA attendant will be present in the vehicle.
Departing from the Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center, the AV Circulator will stop at the following locations:
The U2C is a comprehensive program to modernize and expand the Skyway and introduce autonomous vehicles (AVs) into JTA’s transportation system. By transforming the current Skyway, extending the reach within the urban core through the Bay Street Innovation Corridor and expanding beyond into adjacent neighborhoods, U2C supports the vision of a vibrant, revitalized and better-connected Downtown Jacksonville.
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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, 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.
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Media contacts
For media enquiries, please contact:
Lynn Opperman
AVP – Marketing, Communication, and Customer Experience
Jacksonville Transportation Authority
lopperman@jtafla.com
904-676-7225