(Jacksonville, FL – September 16, 2024) The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA), in partnership with the Northeast Florida U.S. Congressional Representatives today announced the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has funded the purchase of a new diesel hybrid-electric ferry to supplement the JTA’s existing St. Johns River Ferry service.
"The St. Johns River Ferry is an iconic mode of transportation for Northeast Florida, providing important connectivity for the Ft. George Island and Mayport areas," said JTA CEO Nathaniel P. Ford, "This investment by the U.S. Department of Transportation toward an additional, environmentally sustainable vessel means we can provide more reliable and efficient mobility to our community."
"This is another exciting grant win that is a result of our fantastic collaboration with the JTA, relationships we’ve built with the Biden-Harris Administration, and the dedicated work of the grant writing teams," said Mayor Donna Deegan. "The new hybrid-fuel ferry vessel will increase connectivity, sustainability, and economic competitiveness for the historic communities of Mayport Village and Fort George."
"The St. Johns Ferry serves as an indispensable connector for Florida’s State Road A1A," said Congressman John Rutherford (FL-05). "Repairs and maintenance to the one vessel currently running back and forth across the St. Johns River, however, means unnecessary delays and closures for Northeast Floridians who rely on this service daily. That’s why I was proud to help secure a grant from the Federal Transit Administration for an additional ferry to prevent disruptions in this essential service and to ensure our piece of Florida’s iconic thoroughfare remains connected."
"I’m proud to have helped secure this $15.6 million grant to ensure that JTA can provide reliable ferry service across the St. Johns River for Northeast Floridians. I will continue to support transportation solutions so that my constituents can stay connected to their jobs and families," said Congressman Aaron Bean (FL-04).
"We pride ourselves on the service the St. Johns River Ferry provides, as well as the experience it offers to passengers," said JTA Board Chair Debbie Buckland. "Adding a second ferry to the fleet will be valuable to area residents and visitors."
With only one ferry in JTA’s fleet, service has to be suspended for several weeks annually while JTA carries out maintenance on the vessel. Even with the interruption, the St. Johns River Ferry has carried over 391,000 riders so far in FY2024. The purchase of a second ferry with the $15.6 million USDOT grant will ensure the JTA can provide uninterrupted service to passengers during regularly scheduled maintenance.
With this award, since taking over operation of the St. Johns River Ferry in 2016, the JTA has secured over $35 million in discretionary grants which, along with the local match, translates to significant capital upgrades to the St. Johns River Ferry of over $55 million.
About the St. Johns River Ferry
The St. Johns River Ferry is a car and passenger ferry that connects the north and south ends of Florida State Road A1A in Duval County, linking Mayport Village and Ft. George Island via a pleasant sail across the St. Johns River. The 0.9-mile voyage crosses the St. Johns River 2.5 miles inland of the river’s mouth. The trip takes roughly 5 minutes and departs every half hour. For more information about fares, loading dock locations and more, visit https://ferry.jtafla.com/.
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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.
Media contact:
Lynn Opperman
AVP – Marketing, Communication, and Customer Experience
Jacksonville Transportation Authority
lopperman@jtafla.com
904-676-7225